It’s in contrast to the U.S., where a 100% tariff effectively shut Chinese EVs out. The European Union, the U.K.’s biggest trading partner, has manufacturer-specific duties on Chinese EVs of up to 35.3%, in addition to a standard 10% import duty on all foreign cars. Now, the U.K. faces a difficult choice, as EU proposals may force it to impose tariffs to match the bloc’s.
torsdag 8. oktober 2026
America shut out Chinese EVs. Britain welcomed them — and now faces a difficult choice
The U.K. broke with the U.S. by opening its doors to China’s electric vehicle juggernaut. Chinese EVs face only a 10% standard import duty in Britain, one of the largest major overseas markets without additional China-specific tariffs. Japan and Norway also lack them.
It’s in contrast to the U.S., where a 100% tariff effectively shut Chinese EVs out. The European Union, the U.K.’s biggest trading partner, has manufacturer-specific duties on Chinese EVs of up to 35.3%, in addition to a standard 10% import duty on all foreign cars. Now, the U.K. faces a difficult choice, as EU proposals may force it to impose tariffs to match the bloc’s.
It’s in contrast to the U.S., where a 100% tariff effectively shut Chinese EVs out. The European Union, the U.K.’s biggest trading partner, has manufacturer-specific duties on Chinese EVs of up to 35.3%, in addition to a standard 10% import duty on all foreign cars. Now, the U.K. faces a difficult choice, as EU proposals may force it to impose tariffs to match the bloc’s.
After a yearslong slump, China’s real estate market may be set for a turnaround
An end is in sight for China’s yearslong property market slump, S&P Global Ratings analysts said in a report distributed Thursday.
Residential real estate prices may hit a bottom in the third quarter of 2028, the report said. It added that prices in China’s largest cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, will likely recover as soon as next year. That’s a big shift from February, when S&P said high levels of unsold housing kept “a property market recovery out of reach.”
What’s changed since are two government policies, according to the report’s author Edward Chan, a credit analyst at S&P Global Ratings. In August, Beijing announced new restrictions on developers’ ability to sell unfinished properties. A month later, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the government would roll out policies for stabilizing the real estate sector. Beijing subsequently launched a mortgage rate subsidy for first-time homebuyers of units less than 1.5 million yuan ($220,000) and smaller than 120 square meters (1291.67 square feet).
Residential real estate prices may hit a bottom in the third quarter of 2028, the report said. It added that prices in China’s largest cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai, will likely recover as soon as next year. That’s a big shift from February, when S&P said high levels of unsold housing kept “a property market recovery out of reach.”
What’s changed since are two government policies, according to the report’s author Edward Chan, a credit analyst at S&P Global Ratings. In August, Beijing announced new restrictions on developers’ ability to sell unfinished properties. A month later, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said the government would roll out policies for stabilizing the real estate sector. Beijing subsequently launched a mortgage rate subsidy for first-time homebuyers of units less than 1.5 million yuan ($220,000) and smaller than 120 square meters (1291.67 square feet).
EU sends envoy to Beijing as rising exports from China raise economic anxiety
The European Union is bracing for a confrontation with China as a trade deficit exceeding $1 billion a day heightens anxiety over potential job losses and pushes the bloc’s political leaders to take a more aggressive approach toward its second-largest trading partner.
The European Commission’s top trade envoy, Maroš Šefčovič, will be in Beijing Thursday for a two-day meeting with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. The goal is narrowing the EU’s 360 billion euro ($410 billion) trade deficit with China. Earlier this year, he gave Beijing a deadline of October to provide meaningful results in doing so.
Politicians and economists across the 27-nation bloc consider China’s massive subsidies and exports a major threat to core industrial sectors from steel foundries to car factories. China diverted many of its exports to the EU and other markets after the U.S. raised tariffs.
The European Commission’s top trade envoy, Maroš Šefčovič, will be in Beijing Thursday for a two-day meeting with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. The goal is narrowing the EU’s 360 billion euro ($410 billion) trade deficit with China. Earlier this year, he gave Beijing a deadline of October to provide meaningful results in doing so.
Politicians and economists across the 27-nation bloc consider China’s massive subsidies and exports a major threat to core industrial sectors from steel foundries to car factories. China diverted many of its exports to the EU and other markets after the U.S. raised tariffs.
The Scam Industry Is Becoming a Big Problem in India
On September 15, investigators raided three call centers in Pune and Patiala, finding around 220 people at work. According to India’s Enforcement Directorate, the premises were being used to defraud Americans. Investigators said that they were establishing the workers’ identities and roles.
Officers also searched a Chandigarh property linked to a suspected organizer. They seized 66 mobile phones, 13 laptops, and unspecified records. Investigators said that they were examining calling scripts, internet telephony systems, and payment routes.
The published account did not provide an overall figure for victims’ losses.
Months earlier, another investigation exposed the damage one India-based network could inflict. An American woman’s $1.7 million loss helped investigators connect other victims to the operation. The FBI subsequently attributed more than $48.7 million in reported losses among over 600 American victims to the network. Indian authorities arrested six alleged leaders in December 2025.
Officers also searched a Chandigarh property linked to a suspected organizer. They seized 66 mobile phones, 13 laptops, and unspecified records. Investigators said that they were examining calling scripts, internet telephony systems, and payment routes.
The published account did not provide an overall figure for victims’ losses.
Months earlier, another investigation exposed the damage one India-based network could inflict. An American woman’s $1.7 million loss helped investigators connect other victims to the operation. The FBI subsequently attributed more than $48.7 million in reported losses among over 600 American victims to the network. Indian authorities arrested six alleged leaders in December 2025.
Is Xi Jinping all right?
Chinese President Xi Jinping’a visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit over Sep 12-13 and, especially, his state visit to the USA over Sep 23-25 have reignite rumours about his health, although he is not known to be tied to any specific concerning medical condition.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said Oct 3 that Xi’s staff requested several breaks during his White House visit and to cut down the duration of some events, raising questions about the 73-year-old’s health. It also follows similar rumours that swirled during Xi’s trip to India for the BRICS summit, noted indianexpress.com Oct 4.
People familiar with the planning have told WSJ that Chinese officials asked the White House for a private room where Xi could rest between engagements and sought more downtime during his Washington visit.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) said Oct 3 that Xi’s staff requested several breaks during his White House visit and to cut down the duration of some events, raising questions about the 73-year-old’s health. It also follows similar rumours that swirled during Xi’s trip to India for the BRICS summit, noted indianexpress.com Oct 4.
People familiar with the planning have told WSJ that Chinese officials asked the White House for a private room where Xi could rest between engagements and sought more downtime during his Washington visit.
Someone may have hacked the North Korean UN mission’s voicemail
For the past 29 years, one of the few ways to get in touch with the North Korean government has been a phone number printed in the United Nations member directory. It’s the line to North Korea’s permanent mission to the UN — their only diplomatic outpost on American soil — an office on the 13th floor of a midtown Manhattan skyscraper.
However, sometime within the past three years, an unknown person apparently hacked the mission’s voicemail, rerecording the greeting message as a satirical monologue about mass starvation and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
However, sometime within the past three years, an unknown person apparently hacked the mission’s voicemail, rerecording the greeting message as a satirical monologue about mass starvation and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
County in Qinghai overrun by Chinese tourists following completion of a highway
The Qilian (Tibetan: Chilen or Dhola) county in Haibei (Tsojang) Prefecture, Qinghai province, which is considered by Tibetans as the bulk of their historical Amdo (or Domey) province, has been overrun by Chinese tourists during China’s week-long National Day holiday which began on Oct 1, following the completion of a national highway. A place with a population of only about 50,000 suddenly found itself receiving more than 100,000 visitors in a single day, reported China’s official globaltimes.cn Oct 5.
While all the county’s more than 400 hotels and guesthouses were fully booked, nearly 500 people were accommodated in publicly provided beds on Oct 3, the report said, citing local cultural and tourism authorities. Some tourists have been cited as saying Oct 5 that “it’s like winning the lottery” to find accommodation there.
Nearly 35,000 vehicles entered the county on Oct 3, bringing more than 100,000 people into the area, Feng Lingling, head of the local tourism bureau, has said.
While all the county’s more than 400 hotels and guesthouses were fully booked, nearly 500 people were accommodated in publicly provided beds on Oct 3, the report said, citing local cultural and tourism authorities. Some tourists have been cited as saying Oct 5 that “it’s like winning the lottery” to find accommodation there.
Nearly 35,000 vehicles entered the county on Oct 3, bringing more than 100,000 people into the area, Feng Lingling, head of the local tourism bureau, has said.
Why the U.S. Must Simultaneously Compete—and Cooperate—With China on AI
Last week, President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House. It's their second meeting this year, following the Maysummit in Beijing. This visit, the stakes were even higher.
We have learned about security incidents from nearly every major AI company, American and Chinese, built on both open and closed models. The leading AI labs are openly debating whether to pace their frontier model development, and the government is working out what role it plays in that decision.
I spent four years as Secretary of Commerce focused intently on America’s economic, technological, and security competition with China—instituting first-of-its-kind export controls on the sale of chips and chipmaking equipment to China to protect our national security, and leading implementation of the CHIPS Act to onshore chip manufacturing. I also created the AI Safety Institute so we could accelerate our AI development responsibly and safely. I have sat across the table from China, and I have an understanding of how they think about AI.
We have learned about security incidents from nearly every major AI company, American and Chinese, built on both open and closed models. The leading AI labs are openly debating whether to pace their frontier model development, and the government is working out what role it plays in that decision.
I spent four years as Secretary of Commerce focused intently on America’s economic, technological, and security competition with China—instituting first-of-its-kind export controls on the sale of chips and chipmaking equipment to China to protect our national security, and leading implementation of the CHIPS Act to onshore chip manufacturing. I also created the AI Safety Institute so we could accelerate our AI development responsibly and safely. I have sat across the table from China, and I have an understanding of how they think about AI.
China among countries invited to international tourism summit in Tawang
The government of India is to hold a mega international tourism event in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, towards the end of this month, with China being among the invitees. China claims Arunachal Pradesh, especially the Tawang region, as part of its territory on the basis of its claim over Tibet, which has been under its occupation rule for more than seven decades.
The International Tourism Mart, being organised by the Ministry of Tourism from Oct 27 to Nov 1, will bring together delegates from around 20 countries, reported the indianexpress.com Oct 2.
Delegates from China have also been invited to the annual event which is held, by rotation, in one of the eight North-Eastern states of India. The 2025 edition of the event was held in Sikkim, and was attended by government representatives and industry stakeholders from over19 countries.
The International Tourism Mart, being organised by the Ministry of Tourism from Oct 27 to Nov 1, will bring together delegates from around 20 countries, reported the indianexpress.com Oct 2.
Delegates from China have also been invited to the annual event which is held, by rotation, in one of the eight North-Eastern states of India. The 2025 edition of the event was held in Sikkim, and was attended by government representatives and industry stakeholders from over19 countries.
New eastern Tibet discovery bolsters China’s lithium reserves by over one million tonnes
China has greatly increased the amount of lithium deposit present in an already super-large reserve located in the eastern Tibetan city of Barkham (Chinese: Maerkang), in Amdo Ngaba, which is currently part of Sichuan province. The new discovery is expected to help China reduce its dependence on foreign sources for this vital mineral as it pushes to lead the world in the development, use, and export of modern high-tech products.
China has announced the expansion of the resource base for a major lithium deposit in Sichuan province by about 70%, strengthening the country’s potential long-term supply for the metal – an essential component in the production of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage, reported scmp.com Oct 3, citing state news agency XinhuaOct 1.
The report said that after recent detection efforts, the Jiada Lithium Mine had registered about 1.05 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in the deposit, bringing its total resources to 2.53 million tonnes. The increase has reinforces the mine’s status as a major hard-rock lithium deposit.
China has announced the expansion of the resource base for a major lithium deposit in Sichuan province by about 70%, strengthening the country’s potential long-term supply for the metal – an essential component in the production of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage, reported scmp.com Oct 3, citing state news agency XinhuaOct 1.
The report said that after recent detection efforts, the Jiada Lithium Mine had registered about 1.05 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in the deposit, bringing its total resources to 2.53 million tonnes. The increase has reinforces the mine’s status as a major hard-rock lithium deposit.
How not to be a human rights lawyer in China
China’s new rules for becoming a lawyer is a cautionary tale on how not to become one especially if one’s main interest is to become a human rights lawyer. The Party-state has made support for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership an explicit legal qualification for lawyers, said an organiser.org commentary Sep 3, citing an amendment to the country’s Lawyers Law, adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Aug 28 and enacted on Sep 1.
The amendment turned a political requirement previously imposed through Ministry of Justice regulations into a formal requirement of national law. The move effectively introduced a political loyalty test for lawyers before they can practise in China. The change gives the requirement of political loyalty to the CCP a stronger statutory foundation.
The amendment turned a political requirement previously imposed through Ministry of Justice regulations into a formal requirement of national law. The move effectively introduced a political loyalty test for lawyers before they can practise in China. The change gives the requirement of political loyalty to the CCP a stronger statutory foundation.
onsdag 7. oktober 2026
How China deploys wartime history against Japan
Beyond all the pageantry, the Chinese leader Xi Jinping had a strategic goal for his Washington visit – to undermine the American relationship with Japan. Xi succeeded, perhaps beyond his expectations.
Japanese policy makers saw this coming. They arranged a brief meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly between Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and Donald Trump ahead of Xi’s arrival.T he meeting was empty of content but seemed reassuring. But the next day, Trump welcomed Xi by fondly recalling “the greatness that we had together fighting in World War Two” without mentioning the postwar alliance with Japan.
Xi followed the next day at the official banquet, making clear who was their common enemy.
“Over 80 years ago, the Chinese and American people stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight against Japanese militarist aggressors,” Xi said, deliberately obscuring the fact that wartime China was led by the Nationalists, not their Communist foes. The official statements issued by both governments echoed the language of their status as wartime allies.
Japanese policy makers saw this coming. They arranged a brief meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly between Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and Donald Trump ahead of Xi’s arrival.T he meeting was empty of content but seemed reassuring. But the next day, Trump welcomed Xi by fondly recalling “the greatness that we had together fighting in World War Two” without mentioning the postwar alliance with Japan.
Xi followed the next day at the official banquet, making clear who was their common enemy.
“Over 80 years ago, the Chinese and American people stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight against Japanese militarist aggressors,” Xi said, deliberately obscuring the fact that wartime China was led by the Nationalists, not their Communist foes. The official statements issued by both governments echoed the language of their status as wartime allies.
What China's Laos foothold means for the region
China has opened a new military training and logistics facility in Laos, extending Beijing's security presence deeper into mainland Southeast Asia and potentially giving the Chinese air force its first dedicated foothold overseas.
The China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center at Ban Keun Airport, north of the capital Vientiane, formally began operations late last month alongside the new China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy. Beijing says the center will primarily help train Lao air force pilots and will be jointly maintained and operated by the two countries.
The opening adds to China's still relatively small network of overseas military facilities.
The China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center at Ban Keun Airport, north of the capital Vientiane, formally began operations late last month alongside the new China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy. Beijing says the center will primarily help train Lao air force pilots and will be jointly maintained and operated by the two countries.
The opening adds to China's still relatively small network of overseas military facilities.
China's Golden Week: Travel surges, but spending stays soft
Ya Xi just returned to Shanghai on a red-eye flight after her Golden Week trip to Southeast Asia. "I can stay up all night for a cheaper ticket," she told DW.
She was among the 31.19 million passengers who traveled during the 13-day holiday period that followed the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 25 and China's National Day on October 1. Many of them spent their budgets more cautiously this year. "I earn less this year, so I'm lowering my budget for this year's Golden Week," said Xi, who is in her mid-20s. "I spent 5,000 yuan (about €660) on my flight, which was the largest expense of my trip."
Golden Week is viewed as a barometer of the Chinese economy with Beijing using it as an opportunity to showcase the world's second-largest economy's spending power. State media, for instance, reported a record-breaking 25.204 million passenger trips on China's railway network on October 1.
She was among the 31.19 million passengers who traveled during the 13-day holiday period that followed the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 25 and China's National Day on October 1. Many of them spent their budgets more cautiously this year. "I earn less this year, so I'm lowering my budget for this year's Golden Week," said Xi, who is in her mid-20s. "I spent 5,000 yuan (about €660) on my flight, which was the largest expense of my trip."
Golden Week is viewed as a barometer of the Chinese economy with Beijing using it as an opportunity to showcase the world's second-largest economy's spending power. State media, for instance, reported a record-breaking 25.204 million passenger trips on China's railway network on October 1.
Southeast Asia's haze crisis: Have lessons been learned?
Indonesia's worst wildfire season in more than a decade is exposing how much, and how little, Southeast Asia's response to haze has changed since 2015.
Forest and land fires have burned across parts of the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Borneo and Papua for weeks, sending smoke across large areas of the country and into neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. Indonesia's long 2026 dry season, coupled with this year's El Nino, has worsened what has become an almost annual crisis, exposing millions of people to hazardous smoke containing harmful microscopic particles.
More than 170,000 cases of acute respiratory infection were recorded in haze-affected areas of Indonesia between August and mid-September, according to the country's Health Ministry, including more than 40,000 cases involving young children.
Forest and land fires have burned across parts of the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Borneo and Papua for weeks, sending smoke across large areas of the country and into neighboring Malaysia and Singapore. Indonesia's long 2026 dry season, coupled with this year's El Nino, has worsened what has become an almost annual crisis, exposing millions of people to hazardous smoke containing harmful microscopic particles.
More than 170,000 cases of acute respiratory infection were recorded in haze-affected areas of Indonesia between August and mid-September, according to the country's Health Ministry, including more than 40,000 cases involving young children.
India: Women fear for safety as sexual assaults surge
Reports of the gang rape of a 17-year-old girl in New Delhi earlier this week has thrust the issue of women's safety in India back into the spotlight. Three men who posed as police officers took the girl away at gunpoint to a secluded part of the Aastha Kunj Park, according to local media.
Security around New Delhi's parks has been stepped up since the incident, with a focus on improved lighting, increased security and more frequent patrols. Anita Kunwar, an 18-year-old college student from city's East Delhi district, said a lot has changed after what happened at Aastha Kunj Park.
"Women and girls across the city are incredibly wary, anxious, and deeply concerned about their safety," she told DW. "An incident like this, especially in a public space where people go to relax, shatters your sense of security."
Security around New Delhi's parks has been stepped up since the incident, with a focus on improved lighting, increased security and more frequent patrols. Anita Kunwar, an 18-year-old college student from city's East Delhi district, said a lot has changed after what happened at Aastha Kunj Park.
"Women and girls across the city are incredibly wary, anxious, and deeply concerned about their safety," she told DW. "An incident like this, especially in a public space where people go to relax, shatters your sense of security."
New North Korea bridges build on strong China, Russia ties
A long-delayed bridge linking North Korea and China could finally open in early October, more than a decade after its completion, as Pyongyang simultaneously expands transport links with Russia.
South Korean news outlets have reported that the New Yalu River Bridge, connecting China's northeastern city of Dandong with the trade hub of Sinuiju in northwestern North Korea, could formally open by October 6, which marks the 77th anniversary of North Korea-China diplomatic relations.
Analysis published by the 38 North think tank showed significant progress on customs, immigration and warehouse facilities on the North Korean side, where construction had remained largely unfinished for years. The cable-stayed New Yalu River Bridge is located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) downstream toward the Yellow Sea from the older crossings connecting central Dandong and Sinuiju.
South Korean news outlets have reported that the New Yalu River Bridge, connecting China's northeastern city of Dandong with the trade hub of Sinuiju in northwestern North Korea, could formally open by October 6, which marks the 77th anniversary of North Korea-China diplomatic relations.
Analysis published by the 38 North think tank showed significant progress on customs, immigration and warehouse facilities on the North Korean side, where construction had remained largely unfinished for years. The cable-stayed New Yalu River Bridge is located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) downstream toward the Yellow Sea from the older crossings connecting central Dandong and Sinuiju.
tirsdag 6. oktober 2026
Torbjørn Færøvik: “I was Chairman Mao’s dog. When he told me to bite, I bit!”
Mao’s wife, Jiang Qing, was sitting on the sofa reading when several people slipped into the room. It was late in the evening and dark outside, but Jiang’s reading lamp was still on.
“What do you want?” she asked, starting in surprise.
The officer leading the operation stood stiffly in front of her and said:
“Jiang Qing! You have ignored the warnings of the Central Committee. You have continued to form cliques and factions. You have engaged in activities aimed at splitting the Party and plotted to seize power. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has decided to place you under isolated investigation. The decision is to be carried out immediately.”
An era was over. Jiang Qing had met Mao in 1938, when he was still living as a guerrilla leader in the country’s barren northwest, far from the centre of power.
The marriage they entered into two years later was not a happy one, and in time they came to live apart. But Mao never completely cast Jiang aside, and when he launched his frenzied Cultural Revolution in 1966, he needed her more than ever. Jiang was more than willing to act as Mao’s spearhead and urge the Red Guards into battle.
“What do you want?” she asked, starting in surprise.
The officer leading the operation stood stiffly in front of her and said:
“Jiang Qing! You have ignored the warnings of the Central Committee. You have continued to form cliques and factions. You have engaged in activities aimed at splitting the Party and plotted to seize power. The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has decided to place you under isolated investigation. The decision is to be carried out immediately.”
An era was over. Jiang Qing had met Mao in 1938, when he was still living as a guerrilla leader in the country’s barren northwest, far from the centre of power.
The marriage they entered into two years later was not a happy one, and in time they came to live apart. But Mao never completely cast Jiang aside, and when he launched his frenzied Cultural Revolution in 1966, he needed her more than ever. Jiang was more than willing to act as Mao’s spearhead and urge the Red Guards into battle.
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