China News Today: Bytes and Analysis, 25th May 2026 

Xi and Vučić Strengthen China-Serbia “Ironclad Friendship”

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Beijing on May 26, with the two leaders signing more than 20 cooperation deals spanning politics, trade and technology. Vučić’s state visit reinforced what both sides described as an “ironclad friendship", positioning Serbia as a key partner for China inside Europe.

Shanxi Coal Mine Disaster Death Toll Revised

China lowered the official death toll from the Liushenyu Coal Mine gas explosion in Shanxi province. Initial reports counted at least 90 victims, making it China’s deadliest mining disaster in 16 years. Industry insiders are pointing to systemic safety failures, including untracked workers, hidden coal pits, and inadequate airflow management.

Shenzhou-23 Launches with Hong Kong’s First Astronaut

China launched the Shenzhou-23 crewed mission on May 24, sending three astronauts to the Tiangong space station, including Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong’s first astronaut. One crew member will remain in orbit for a full year — a record for China — as Beijing advances toward its goal of a crewed lunar landing by 2030.

Huawei Unveils Roadmap to Catch TSMC

Huawei’s semiconductor chief, He Tingbo, announced the company will produce 1.4-nanometre chips by 2031 using a proprietary “LogicFolding” technology. The announcement underscores Beijing’s accelerated push to neutralise US sanctions and close the gap with TSMC in cutting-edge chip manufacturing despite ongoing export restrictions.

Pakistani PM Sharif Holds Beijing Talks

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Chinese leaders in Beijing, where China praised Islamabad’s “proactive” role in mediating US-Iran peace efforts. Both sides pledged closer coordination on Middle East diplomacy, with China voicing strong support for Pakistan’s regional initiatives amid the ongoing Iran war.

Major EU Countries Push Tougher China Policy

Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and Lithuania are pressing the EU for a more aggressive response to what they describe as China’s “systemic and structural industrial overcapacity" ahead of a key Brussels debate. The push signals growing European unity against Chinese export dumping in green technology sectors.

Handheld Cancer Detection Device Developed

Chinese scientists have developed a compact handheld device capable of detecting early-stage cancer biomarkers from a single drop of blood with up to 94.9% accuracy. The system is reportedly 10,000 times more sensitive than traditional methods at detecting early-stage lung cancer, promising broader access to screening.

Taiwan Optimistic on US Arms Deal Despite Pause Signals

Taiwan’s defence minister said Washington has not officially notified Taipei of any pause to a US$14 billion weapons package, even after a US Navy chief suggested the arms deal is “on ice". Taipei remains optimistic the deal will proceed despite signs of friction following the recent Xi-Trump summit.

China Boosts Migrant Worker Services to Spur Consumption

Beijing has unveiled new measures requiring cities to grant migrant workers and their families better access to healthcare and education through a loosening of the hukou household registration system. The reform aims to lift consumption by integrating roughly 300 million migrant workers into urban welfare networks.

China Increases UN Peacekeeping Contributions

China is raising its share of the UN peacekeeping budget amid warnings the global body risks being sidelined, according to SIPRI. Beijing’s expanded participation helps project an image of itself as a responsible major power, particularly as the US scales back its multilateral commitments under the Trump administration.

Chip Prodigy Returns to China from TSMC Japan

A high-profile Chinese researcher known as “Da Bo", who played a key role at TSMC’s 3-nanometre fabrication plant in Japan, has returned to China to bring his expertise home. The move reflects Beijing’s intensifying campaign to recruit overseas semiconductor talent to bolster domestic chip independence.

Cuba Receives 15,000-Tonne Rice Shipment from China

Cuba received a 15,000-tonne shipment of donated rice from China, the largest such food aid in recent years, as the island reels under a deep economic crisis worsened by US sanctions. The donation reinforces Beijing’s ties with Havana and signals its expanding humanitarian footprint in Latin America.

China Merges Lunar Programmes Amid Moon Race

China announced details of a merger combining its crewed and uncrewed lunar mission programmes, consolidating expertise as competition with the US-backed SpaceX heats up. The integration is designed to accelerate China’s 2030 crewed lunar landing target, following the latest SpaceX Starship launch.

Hainan Naval Complex Key to Carrier Strategy

A new report identifies the Sanya naval complex on Hainan Island as critical to the survival of China’s aircraft carriers, providing strategic depth to manoeuvre against the US first island chain. The analysis comes as China’s third carrier, the Fujian, continues sea trials in nearby waters.

End of “Three Communiques” Era in US-China Ties

Analysts say the era defined by the three joint US-China communiques that have anchored the bilateral relationship since the 1970s may now be effectively over. The shift follows the recent Xi-Trump Beijing summit, with both sides operating under a new framework focused on “strategic stability” rather than historical principles on Taiwan.

China and Russia Slam US “Golden Dome” Plan

Days after the Xi-Trump summit, Beijing and Moscow jointly condemned Washington’s planned “Golden Dome” missile defence system, warning it poses a “clear threat” to global strategic stability. The statement signals continued China-Russia coordination on arms control issues even as both engage diplomatically with Trump.

Jardine Matheson Buys Australian Medical Imaging Group

Hong Kong–based conglomerate Jardine Matheson agreed to acquire Australian medical imaging provider I-MED Radiology Network for an enterprise value of A$3.4 billion (US$2.4 billion). The deal marks one of the group’s largest healthcare diagnostics moves and expands its footprint in the Asia-Pacific medical services market.

Lenovo Surges to 26-Year High on AI Growth

Lenovo shares surged to a 26-year high after the Chinese PC maker reported strong AI-driven growth. The rally reflects rising investor confidence in Chinese tech firms positioned to benefit from the global AI infrastructure buildout, even amid lingering US export restrictions on advanced semiconductors.

Shangri-La Dialogue to Focus on Taiwan and Iran

The annual Shangri-La Dialogue defence forum in Singapore is set to be dominated by the Iran war, strained US commitments in Asia, and rising tensions over Taiwan. Defence ministers from across the Indo-Pacific are expected to press both Washington and Beijing on regional security guarantees.

Trump Open to Call with Taiwan’s Leader

US President Donald Trump indicated he is willing to speak directly with Taiwan’s leader, a major departure from decades of US diplomatic norms. Taiwan’s foreign minister said no planning talks have yet occurred and that the initiative now rests with Trump, a move likely to provoke a sharp response from Beijing.

AI-Powered Food Monitoring for PLA Troops

The Chinese military has rolled out an integrated AI-powered digital platform to track every step of soldiers’ meal preparation and distribution, aiming to resolve longstanding grass-roots complaints about food quality. The system reflects the PLA’s broader modernisation push using AI for logistics and personnel management.