China

From 1 January, contraceptives will be subject to a 13% VAT rate – part of a carrot-and-stick approach by the government to increase births China is set to impose a value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and other contraceptives for the first time in three decades, as the country tries to boost its birthrate and modernise … Read more

Guan Heng, who filmed at sites in China of alleged rights violations against Muslim group, detained by ICE in August A Chinese man who left his country after filming at sites of alleged human rights violations against Uyghurs now faces the risk of removal from the United States, according to his lawyer and mother. Guan … Read more

Booming Chinese exports have driven trade surplus past $1tn but also reveal the extent of country’s reliance on foreign markets A boom in exports that has pushed China’s trade surplus past $1tn for the first time reveals the extent to which its economy is still overwhelmingly reliant on foreign markets – and the difficulty figures … Read more

New date to approve site near Tower Bridge in London aligns with Keir Starmer’s planned visit to Beijing The government has delayed its decision on whether to approve China’s super-embassy in London until January, when Keir Starmer is expected to visit Beijing. Ministers are expected to greenlight the controversial plans after formal submissions by the … Read more

Amid troubled economic times, many in China are shifting back towards the certainty of a career in the public sector A record number of people are set to take China’s notoriously gruelling national civil service exam this weekend, reflecting the increasing desire of Chinese workers to find employment in the public rather than private sector. … Read more

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and Xi told Trump that its return was an ‘integral part of the post-war international order’ Chinese leader Xi Jinping has told Donald Trump that Beijing’s claims to Taiwan remain unchanged, in a phone call that came amid rising tensions over the self-governing island. Xi told Trump … Read more

Villagers demonstrate against drive for alternative funeral practices instead of burial to preserve land resources Protests have erupted in China’s southern Guizhou province, the latest in a string of rural demonstrations that have seen incidents of unrest increase by 70% compared with last year. The protests in Shidong town started over the weekend in response … Read more

Senior Security Service officers told Commons speaker in private meeting they can tackle espionage risks MI5 officers told the House of Commons speaker at a private meeting that they can tackle the risks of a proposed Chinese super-embassy in London, opening the door to its approval. The Guardian understands that in a meeting held with … Read more

Diplomatic dispute over Japan’s stance on Taiwan continues to rumble after Senae Takaichi’s comments Chinese travellers are estimated to have cancelled hundreds of thousands of flights to Japan amid reports of suspended visa processing and cultural exchanges as a diplomatic dispute over Japan’s stance on Taiwan continues. Under pressure from business groups, Japan has sent … Read more