China expels Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from Party and military, refers suspected crimes to military prosecutors
China's Politburo approved disciplinary reports on September 21 for Central Military Commission Vice-Chairman Zhang Youxia and former Joint Staff Department chief Liu Zhenli. Both were expelled from the Communist Party and military, and suspected criminal matters were referred to military prosecutors. The Party expulsions remain subject to ratification by a Central Committee plenary session.
Update: Shunde textile-factory fire kills eight; search ends as cause remains under investigation
A fire at a textile company's premises in Shunde district, Foshan, on September 20 killed eight people and injured one. A later state-media update said search and rescue had concluded; the fire was extinguished after about an hour without spreading to adjacent areas, and the cause remains under investigation.
China confirms Xi's September 23–25 U.S. state visit as Washington proposes AI incident alerts
China's Foreign Ministry confirmed on September 21 that President Xi Jinping will make a state visit to the United States from September 23 to 25 at President Donald Trump's invitation. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent separately said Washington proposed a notification mechanism for AI incidents that could affect national security; China has not announced acceptance of that proposal.
Yuan reaches strongest level against U.S. dollar in 3½ years
China's onshore yuan strengthened to as much as 6.6957 per U.S. dollar on September 21, its firmest level since January 2023, while the offshore yuan reached about 6.6946. The People's Bank of China set the day's midpoint at 6.7487, its strongest since February 2023.
Reuters: China slows humanoid-robot IPO rush as valuations and state-backed orders face scrutiny
Reuters reported on September 21, citing industry sources, that Chinese regulators are using informal window guidance to slow some humanoid-robot IPOs while examining valuations, state-funded orders and revenue sustainability. Regulators have not published a formal sector-wide directive.
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.
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.
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.
China · Economy and platform regulation · 2026-09-19
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
China · Environment / disaster