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China gives Japan’s new prime minister Sanae Takaichi the cold shoulder

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

China has yet to congratulate Japan’s new prime minister nearly a week after her appointment — a departure from diplomatic precedent that underscores the strained state of relations between the two Asian powers.

Sanae Takaichi, 64, a prominent China hawk, took office on Tuesday, becoming Japan’s first female prime minister and the fifth leader in five years. She succeeded Shigeru Ishiba, who received congratulatory messages from both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on the day he assumed office in October last year. Beijing also promptly congratulated former prime ministers Fumio Kishida in 2021 and Yoshihide Suga in 2020.

When asked on Thursday whether Beijing planned to congratulate Takaichi, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, “China made proper arrangements according to diplomatic practices.” “China and Japan are close neighbors. China’s fundamental position on its relations with Japan is consistent and clear,” Guo continued. “We hope Japan and China will… honor Japan’s political commitments on major issues… uphold the political foundation of bilateral relations, and fully advance the China–Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit.”

Analysts warn that tensions between Beijing and Tokyo may escalate under Takaichi’s administration, given her outspoken positions on Taiwan and Japan’s wartime history.

Takaichi has long advocated for prime ministerial visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan’s war dead — including convicted war criminals — and remains a flashpoint for Chinese anger over Japan’s 1931 invasion and occupation of China and the atrocities committed by its forces.

Her engagement with Taiwanese officials has also drawn criticism from Beijing. In April, Takaichi met Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te in Taipei, calling for closer defense cooperation to “maintain our security guarantees.” She also met Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung in Japan in July.

Relations between China and Japan have long been marred by territorial disputes, historical grievances, and Japan’s security alignment with Washington. Despite recent efforts to expand economic cooperation and promote people-to-people exchanges, ties remain fraught — particularly on defense matters.

Those tensions are likely to deepen, as Takaichi pledged in her first policy speech on Friday to accelerate Japan’s defense spending targets by two years. The Chinese foreign ministry criticized the move, saying it heightened regional concerns about Japan’s security trajectory.

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Trump plans a “fantastic deal” with China while meeting President Xi

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

At the end of this month, the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit is scheduled to be held in South Korea, where leaders of member countries will gather to discuss global economic issues. Amid the complicated relations and trade war between China and the U.S., the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced he hopes to meet with Xi and reach a “fantastic deal” with China. He offered to lower tariffs but also noted that China should make concessions too, including buying U.S.-produced soybeans and ending restrictions on rare earth minerals. These two factors—China halting U.S. soybeans imports and its near-monopoly on rare earth minerals—are powerful tools for China and could put significant pressure on Trump to lower tariffs and attempt to strike a deal with Beijing. 

For U.S. farmers, it is nearly impossible to find a replacement for the enormous Chinese demand, as China is the world’s largest importer of soybeans and the largest customer of U.S. farmers. For example, last year China exported half of the U.S.-produced soybeans, which amounts to $12.6 billion. But this year, as a retaliation to U.S.-imposed tariffs, Chinese purchase of soybeans has declined significantly, which dramatically affected U.S farmers, who in turn lobby Trump to change his policies toward China. On the other hand, while American farmers are desperate, China has found an alternative supplier – Brazil. In August, China purchased $ 4.7 billion in soybeans from Brazil, which, compared to the U.S supply, is around fifty times larger. This situation puts China in an advantageous position – it pressures the U.S agricultural sector and also deepens “south-south cooperation”.

Besides the soybean problem, which may only affect U.S farmers, there’s the issue of rare earth minerals, which is a huge problem not only for the U.S but for the global economy and manufacturing of a wide range of electronics, from iPhones to electric cars and etc. China controls more than 90% of the global output of refined rare earths. So, the upcoming summit and talks between the U.S and China are an important event for the global economy. This trade war has damaged both countries and their economies, and the deal between them will indeed be “fantastic”, as Trump said, but considering Trump’s unpredictable decisions, it’s hard to say what will actually happen.

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Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women in Beijing

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

On October 13-14, 2025, China, as co-host, assumed the role of a global leader in gender equality by holding a High-Level Meeting on Women’s Rights in Beijing. President Xi Jinping underscored the necessity of women’s active participation both in politics and at all levels of decision-making. According to him, countries must open the path for women in matters of state governance. Although China has achieved excellent results in the field of women’s education (for example, women comprise half of the students in higher education institutions), the quantitative scarcity of women in leadership positions raises serious questions. In response to this, the UN already called on China in 2023 to introduce legislative quotas. This appeal became particularly relevant after 2022, for the first time in 20 years, when not a single female official was represented in the country’s highest governing bodies—the Politburo and its Standing Committee.

President Xi Jinping announced new financial commitments from China aimed at safeguarding women’s rights and strengthening their positions. He stated that China will contribute an additional US$10 million to UN Women. Furthermore, China will earmark US$100 million from the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, which will be used in collaboration with international organizations for projects promoting women’s rights and the improvement of their social status.

Chinese President Xi Jinping actively used the summit’s diplomatic platform to strengthen bilateral ties. On October 13–14, 2025, he held bilateral meetings with the leaders of several states—namely, Iceland, Ghana, Dominica, Mozambique, and Sri Lanka. Within the context of these meetings, on October 14, 2025, President Xi Jinping spoke with Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir. The main message of the dialogue was the demonstration that even countries with different social systems can engage in successful and mutually beneficial cooperation. During the meeting with the Icelandic President, emphasis was placed on the desire to deepen bilateral relations.

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Stock prices in the Asia-Pacific region fell amid the US-China tariff war

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

In the Asia-Pacific region, the value of major stock exchanges fell due to Trump’s threat to impose triple-digit tariffs on Chinese imports. China holds reserves of strategically important rare minerals, which also underpin its global dominance. Although trade negotiations between the two countries had made progress over the summer, Beijing’s decision to tighten export controls on these minerals was prompted by the US decision to implement new export restrictions against China.

The new trade restrictions imposed by China, which will take effect in November, will impact the economies of East Asian countries, particularly Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Each of these countries plays a fundamental role in the production of cutting-edge artificial intelligence and technology products. Washington actively uses economic pressure as a lever of geopolitical influence. Accordingly, in response to Beijing, Trump’s decision will impose an additional 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods, raising the total duty to 130 percent. Effectively, the US is declaring a trade embargo on China, as Chinese goods will be unable to enter the American market.

Amid prolonged trade tensions, US stock exchanges were also affected. After the S&P 500 and Nasdaq experienced their sharpest declines, Trump wrote on Trust Social that the US “wants to help China, not hurt it.” “Don’t worry about China, it will be all fine!”  Following Trump’s comments, the US stock market improved on Sunday evening.

On Sunday, Beijing warned the United States. According to a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce, China’s position remains unchanged: “We do not want a tariff war, but we are not afraid of it either”.

The next wave of counter-response trade restrictions will erase the progress achieved during the months of meetings between Chinese and US officials. At this time, it is unclear whether Trump will actually implement the tariff threat by November 1 or if the situation will be resolved.

On Sunday, speaking to journalists aboard Air Force 1, Trump said, “Let’s see what happens”, when asked about the November 1 deadline. In the Fox News program The Sunday Briefing, US Trade Representative jamieson greer said that the United States was unaware of China’s motives and did not expect the export restrictions, although Chinese officials stated that regional and national-level notifications had been made.

At the same time, Vice President JD Vance urged China to “choose the path of reason,” while emphasizing that the US holds “far more cards” if Beijing chooses to respond aggressively. As a result, a counter-response is likely, making it much harder for the two countries to find common ground and maintain economic stability.

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China Introduces New Port Fees on U.S

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

China’s Ministry of Transport has announced that vessels owned or registered by U.S. companies, organizations, and individuals will be subject to additional port fees starting October 14. The measure, approved by the State Council, is widely seen as a geopolitical counterreaction to trade policies pursued by the Trump administration.

The decision comes shortly after the United States imposed new tariffs on Chinese goods — a move that Beijing has condemned as unfair economic pressure. Washington’s step is closely tied to China’s export control measures aimed at limiting the sale of strategic materials, such as rare metals and minerals, essential for high-tech industries. Western analysts have described China’s restrictions as an attempt to disrupt U.S. supply chains that heavily depend on Chinese raw materials. 

In this context, China’s plan to gradually raise port fees between 2025 and 2028 — from 400 to 1,120 yuan per ton — reflects Beijing’s long-term strategy. On one hand, it mirrors U.S. tariffs with a symmetrical response; on the other, it preserves policy flexibility, allowing the government to adjust both the rate and scope of the fees as needed. 

The administrative framework of the new fee is also notable. The charge will increase with each ship’s first annual entry and will apply no more than five times per year — a structure designed to limit disruptions in international shipping and avoid destabilizing global trade networks. 

China’s Ministry of Transport added that the country will continue to take reciprocal actions within the framework of law, a diplomatically phrased warning that signals Beijing’s readiness for further economic countermeasures if necessary.

According to the analytical firm Linerlytica, Chinese shipping operators active in the U.S. market could face around $1.15 billion in fees in the first year alone, compared to just $180 million for U.S. companies — highlighting the asymmetry in tariff impacts that China aims to offset with proportional measures. 

Meanwhile, the China Shipowners’ Association has urged the government to adopt tougher steps, including imposing additional charges on foreign vessels and implementing targeted counterreactions if required.

Data from Alphaliner shows that by 2026, U.S. tariffs will cost the world’s leading shipping companies roughly $3.2 billion, with China’s state-owned COSCO Group expected to be among the hardest hit due to its extensive fleet operating between China and the United States.

The issue is expected to be a key topic during the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping later this month. Experts predict that the escalating port fee dispute will mark a new phase in trade relations, where economic measures increasingly evolve into geopolitical instruments.

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China tightens rare-earth export controls

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

China has announced a significant expansion of export controls over 12 rare-earth materials after adding five more materials: holmium, erbium, thulium, europium, and ytterbium to the existing list of restricted ones and related technologies targeting foreign defense, military, and semiconductor users. These measures, which build on stricter rules introduced in April, have already disrupted global supply chains. The law was adopted on October 9, 2025.

The new rules include outright license denials for overseas defense users. Exports of recycling equipment and magnet production technologies will require official licenses.

Rare-earth elements are used not only in everyday electronics but also in military equipment, from smartphones to fighter jets. They are also critical for semiconductor manufacturing. The law for advanced semiconductor applications requires review on a case-by-case basis. New restrictions prohibit locally based firms from collaborating abroad on rare earth-related processes without official approval. Some of the new rules are already in effect, while others are scheduled to begin on December 1.

China dominates the processing stage of the rare-earth, controlling 90% of global rare-earth output and magnet production. Rare-earth is critical to many high-tech and defense agencies. These restrictions give China significant leverage in global trade, especially in its negotiations with the U.S. This move is more alarming given the fact that it was adopted before the U.S.-China leaders’ meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, which should be held in a few months. The commerce ministry stated that the restrictions aim to “safeguard national security and interests” by preventing materials from “being used, directly or indirectly, in military and other sensitive fields.”

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China and Malaysia to hold “Peace and Friendship-2025” joint exercise

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

The armed forces of China and Malaysia will resume the series of joint exercises from the middle of October 2025. According to the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, the program, named “Peace and Friendship-2025”, will be held in Malaysia and its adjacent waters.

Within the framework of this project, the history of military cooperation between China and Malaysia began in 2014. The exercises were primarily focused on joint search and rescue and humanitarian aid.

In 2018, the 4th “Peace and Friendship” initiative was conducted in an expanded format, where, in addition to China and Malaysia, Thailand was also involved in the training. In 2023, the program expanded even further, as Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam also participated in the joint exercises.

The exercises are usually focused on non-warfare operations (Military Operations Other Than War – MOOTW), for example, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and counter-terrorism.

It is important that other ASEAN member states will also be invited as observers to the announced 6th “Peace and Friendship” initiative.

The initiative aims to strengthen practical cooperation between the militaries of China and Southeast Asian nations, improve their ability to jointly respond to non-traditional security threats, and maintain regional peace and stability.

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High-level Visit of China’s Prime Minister to North Korea

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China’s Prime Minister Li Qiang will travel to North Korea this week to attend celebrations held for North Korea’s ruling party’s 80th anniversary this Friday. The high-level visit will last from October 9 to 11. The anniversary will include a massive military parade in Pyongyang, demonstrating North Korea’s military might. The Russian former president Dmitri Medvedev is expected to attend the celebrations on behalf of Russia.

Li Qiang’s visit represents the highest-level Chinese trip to North Korea since 2019. However, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a Beijing military parade recently this September alongside Russian president Vladimir Putin. Since taking office in 2011, this was the first time Kim participated in an event with such a large gathering of world leaders and politicians.

During this summit, China and North Korea pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation. China for years have been North Korea’s biggest trading partner and continues to be. North Korea, for its part, expressed its willingness to strengthen ties with China and “in multilateral affairs, jointly resist unilateralism and power politics and promote a fairer and more just world order”. The emphasis on unilateralism here probably stems from heavy U.S sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear program and the recent imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods. 

Amid these developments and statements, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media, addressing China’s president directly, advising him with irony to give his warmest regards to Russian and North Korean leaders “as you conspire against The United States of America”. The upcoming gathering of Russian, North Korean, and Chinese leaders in North Korea will likely spark renewed tension and speculation about their joint cooperation against the U.S. However, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in a letter congratulating  Putin on his birthday, framed the alliance among Pyongyang, Moscow, and Beijing as a step forward toward a “just and multi-polarised world order”.

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Zambian farmers sue Chinese mining companies for ecological disaster

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

Over the decades, Zambia and China have developed strong economic relations. China has financed various infrastructure projects, including airports and railway systems. Chinese companies play a dominant role in Zambia’s copper and cobalt mining and processing sectors.

However, a lawsuit filed by 176 Zambian farmers against local subsidiaries of Chinese companies Sino-Metals Leach Zambia and NFC Africa Mining has triggered a diplomatic crisis. The farmers’ protest was provoked by an incident in February, when the collapse of a tailings dam caused acidic waste to spill into nearby rivers near the town of Kitwe, located about 285 kilometers north of the capital, Lusaka. The spill damaged farmland, and farmers described the event as an environmental disaster that violated their constitutional right to live in a safe and healthy environment. The toxic waste contaminated the soil and destroyed crops.

Supporters of the petition emphasized that the population was not promptly warned about the danger and had to live in an ecologically polluted environment for seven months. The farmers are therefore demanding $ 80 billion in compensation and an additional monthly payment of $ 336 for eco-migrants.

The environmental crisis has also drawn international attention. Dr. Iva Pesa, Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, stated that the farmers’ demand for 80 billion USD carries a symbolic meaning. According to her, the petitioners themselves likely knew that receiving such a large sum was unrealistic. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that their goal is to stop the operations of the Chinese companies’ subsidiaries.

For Zambians, it is more acceptable and easier to confront small Chinese firms and file lawsuits against them than to go after major local mining giants such as ZCCM or Mopani, which appear to provide broader economic benefits to local communities primarily through employment opportunities. According to Pesa, the farmers’ lawsuit was less motivated by environmental activism and more by a desire to share in the economic benefits:

Chinese companies earn enormous profits. Naturally, part of this economic benefit should be distributed to the local communities whose living areas have been devastated by toxic substances.” – Iva Pesa.

Meanwhile, the Zambian government has attempted to downplay the environmental impact of the incident. In August, Minister Cornelius Mweetwa stated that there was no need to declare a state of emergency. The government and Sino-Metals claimed that the pH level in the affected area had returned to normal and that compensation of 14 million kwacha had already been provided to residents. However, the government’s active lobbying in favor of Sino-Metals may ultimately lead to widespread electoral absenteeism. This incident could mark the beginning of the end for state-level relations between Zambia’s political and economic elites and China.

This is the first time a major mining company in Zambia has been accused of environmental destruction. The Zambian farmers’ protest has caused a significant diplomatic rift. Although the U.S. Embassy has also described the incident as an ecological disaster, China’s Foreign Minister denied any connection between the catastrophe and the Chinese subsidiaries or their management, claiming that they were actively cooperating with the Zambian authorities.

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Thailand-Cambodia Rapprochement: China’s Diplomatic Role

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

Thailand and Cambodia have reconfirmed their ceasefire agreement reached after several days of conflict in the disputed border region. This confirmation followed China’s diplomatic intervention, which facilitated a meeting between the two sides in Shanghai.

Although the ceasefire agreement, formalized in Malaysia, was supposed to take effect from midnight on July 28, 2025, its effectiveness was quickly tested. Thailand’s army accused Cambodia of carrying out multiple attacks on the morning of July 29, 2025, though the Cambodian side denied any firing. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs characterized this action as an “act of aggression” and a “clear violation” of the ceasefire agreement.

By midday on July 30, 2025, both parties appeared to have reaffirmed their commitment to the ceasefire. At a meeting in Shanghai, representatives from Cambodia and Thailand were pictured smiling with Chinese Vice Minister Sun Weidong, indicating a de-escalation of tensions between the sides. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that this informal meeting represented its “latest diplomatic effort” and that China was playing a “constructive role” in resolving their border dispute.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the acting chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), hosted the meeting where the ceasefire was agreed upon. United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio positively assessed the ceasefire declaration, emphasizing that President Donald Trump and he were “committed to an immediate cessation of violence.” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that Trump had called him to congratulate him on the peace initiative.

Clashes between Cambodia and Thailand have frequently occurred along their 800-kilometer (500-mile) border in the past. The most recent battles began on July 24, 2025, after a landmine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. The conflict resulted in at least 41 deaths and displaced over 260,000 people from their homes. While some residents are now returning, many still remain in evacuation shelters amidst uncertainty.

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