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United States · US–China economic relations
US and China open New York talks on AI, critical minerals and tariffs
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng began talks in New York on September 20 to prepare possible agreements for this week's Trump-Xi summit. The agenda includes the trade truce expiring in November, rare-earth and critical-mineral flows, tariffs on non-strategic goods and AI guard rails.
Why it matters
The talks could affect US-China tariffs, agricultural and aircraft purchases, rare-earth and semiconductor supply chains, and coordination on AI risks. Only the start of negotiations is confirmed; no agreement, tariff relief or new mineral-supply commitment has been announced.
CXMT says fifth-generation DRAM platform has entered mass production
Chinese memory-chip maker CXMT said on September 20 that its fifth-generation DRAM platform had entered mass production and unveiled two 24Gb LPDDR5X mobile-memory products. The company says the platform produces at least 50% more gross chip dies per wafer.
If production scale, yield and customer adoption match the company's expectations, the platform could strengthen China's position in the global DRAM supply chain and affect smartphone supply, chip pricing and US–China semiconductor competition. Performance and cost figures currently rely mainly on company disclosures.
China investigates Meituan and Alibaba units, Tongcheng and Tujia
Beijing's market regulator opened investigations on September 19 into four online hotel and travel-booking platforms linked to Meituan, Alibaba, Tongcheng and Tujia over suspected violations of unfair-competition rules.
The probes involve major Chinese travel and consumer-service platforms and could affect hotel commissions, search placement, pricing and contracts. An investigation is not a finding of wrongdoing; conclusions and remedies have not been announced.
Update: Sichuan mudslide kills two; three remain missing in Yanbian County
The Yanbian County government says a mudslide triggered by localized heavy rain struck near Shijiagou Tunnel early September 19. Two of the five people initially reported missing were found without vital signs; rescuers are still searching for the other three.
The life-safety lead first reported by one public account is now confirmed by official and multiple reliable sources. Rain and the risk of further flash floods and mudslides continue to complicate the rescue, and the toll may change.
Reuters: U.S. and China discuss LNG tariff cuts; no final deal
Reuters reported on September 18, citing two people briefed on the talks, that the United States and China are discussing reducing or eliminating China's 15% tariff on U.S. liquefied natural gas. Neither government has formally confirmed an LNG arrangement.
If completed, the measure could revive U.S.-China LNG trade after it collapsed following the 2025 tariff, affecting U.S. export projects, Chinese energy procurement and global gas prices. The talks are unfinished, and the rate, product coverage and announcement timing could change.
Russia and China veto extension of U.N. monitoring of Iran sanctions
The U.N. Security Council voted on September 17 on a U.S. proposal to extend the Iran-sanctions expert panel. The measure received 11 votes but failed after vetoes by Russia and China; Somalia and Pakistan abstained.
The vote ended the mandate for an independent Security Council expert panel, reducing capacity to investigate and publicly report on sanctions enforcement. It did not itself remove the restored U.N. sanctions on Iran.
China to establish 280,000-square-kilometre restricted airspace around Beijing
A permanent special restricted area roughly 600 kilometres in diameter will take effect on September 20, covering Beijing, Tianjin, much of Hebei and parts of neighbouring regions. Approved airline and business flights, along with certain government, law-enforcement and emergency flights, are exempt from a blanket ban.
The measure chiefly restricts general aviation and unauthorized flights; it does not mean all airline services to Beijing are cancelled. Travellers should still check current airline and airport notices, while drone and private-aircraft operators should confirm the new authorization requirements.
Man arrested after knife attack in Guangzhou University Town | Live updates
A knife attack occurred in Guangzhou's Panyu university district on September 14. Police said a 35-year-old man surnamed Li was arrested and the injured were not in life-threatening condition; authorities have not disclosed a confirmed victim count, motive or identities.
The attack occurred in a busy commercial area surrounded by universities. Police say the suspect is in custody, but key details remain unconfirmed. Do not circulate graphic images or treat online claims about accomplices, selected victims or deliberate targeting of eyes as established facts.
A commercial satellite-imagery analysis published by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on September 17 identifies two new communications facilities at China's military base in Djibouti. Researchers assess that the equipment could strengthen long-range command, satellite links and monitoring of nearby military activity.
The base sits near a crucial Red Sea–Gulf of Aden shipping route and close to US, Japanese and European military facilities. The monitoring capability is an independent assessment from public imagery, not an official Chinese confirmation, and the imagery does not prove that communications are being intercepted.
Trump plays down AI fears and says the U.S. must stay ahead of China
President Trump opposed a major slowdown in AI development, citing the need to preserve U.S. leadership over China as researchers continue to call for stronger safeguards.
The U.S.–China AI race can shape Canadian investment, talent, regulation and defence cooperation, though Canada has announced no new policy in this report.
Beijing defence forum opens with focus on stability and security governance
The 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum runs from September 15 to 17 under the theme of building consensus on stability and advancing security governance. Defence and security officials from multiple countries are attending.
Regional security discussions can affect Indo-Pacific shipping, Canadian alliance planning and travel. Forum statements should be separated from formal government decisions.
Rights advocates issue open letter to Xi Jinping seeking releases and legal reforms
Freedom House published a September 16 letter with 29 signatories raising detention, legal and transnational-repression concerns.
The letter consolidates advocacy demands ahead of a US–China summit. Those demands are not confirmation that every underlying case is independently established or that anyone has been released.
China says August disasters affected 12.62 million people; 595 dead or missing
China's emergency management ministry said on September 18 that natural disasters in August affected 12.62 million people, left 595 dead or missing, forced or required emergency assistance for 1.18 million, and caused 36.03 billion yuan in direct losses.
This is a preliminary nationwide official assessment. The figure of 595 combines people reported dead and missing and must not be described as 595 confirmed deaths. The toll of 562 dead or missing at the Gyirong border port in Tibet remains under review.
Xi pushes ‘Greater BRICS’ cooperation on trade, finance and AI
China proposed closer BRICS cooperation in trade, finance, artificial intelligence and special economic zones. Much of the plan remains a set of initiatives rather than implemented common policy.
The expanded group spans Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, potentially changing the competitive landscape for Canadian minerals, energy, agriculture and technology.
China · Economy and platform regulation