(2026-04-13). China, the Iran war and the chemical suddenly stoking global supply fears. scmp.com China's reported decision to halt sulphuric acid exports, together with the failure of peace talks between the United States and Iran over the weekend, risks driving prices higher and disrupting global mining and fertiliser supply chains that have few readily available alternatives. | Beijing had indicated it would halt shipments of sulphuric acid from May, according to reports from Acuity Commodities and Bloomberg, though no official announcement has been made. Economists said food security sat…
(2026-04-13). Trump's Hormuz blockade may target China along with Iran. scmp.com The US announced a blockade against ships calling at Iranian ports, ramping up pressure on the Middle East nation after marathon peace talks over the weekend ended without a deal. | Action was due to start Monday at 10am New York time (10pm Hong Kong), according to US Central Command. Vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports won't be affected, it said. President Donald Trump had earlier said that the blockade would cover all ships using the vital waterway.
(2026-04-13). US-EU tensions erupt over Iran war as France holds back-channel talks with China. wsws.org Trump's denunciations of the Macron government reveal the irreconcilable conflicts between the major imperialist powers underlying US imperialism's war of aggression against Iran.
(2026-04-13). US moves to block Iranian ports as Tehran threatens retaliatory strikes on Gulf hubs. scmp.com The United States on Monday moved to implement a blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical shipping corridors, after US-Iran peace talks failed over the weekend, but questions persist over how fully the measures can be enforced and what they will mean in practice. | Despite concerns of escalation, Pakistan, which has acted as mediator in the peace negotiations, continued efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict, including a phone call with China's Foreign…
(2026-04-13). US Announces Blockade on Iran (and China): How Why This Risks Global Escalation. thealtworld.com The US has announced a blockade of all maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz originating from Iran or having agreed with Iran for passage; | This is the full implementation of Washington's initial objective for waging war with Iran, an oil blockade of not only China but also much of the multipolar world; | The US' primary geopolitical objective is global hegemony and the only way it can achieve this objective is by dragging the rest of the rising multipolar world down relative to US power and wealth; | The primary means to do this is by targeting the life blood of modern civilization which is energy;…
(2026-04-13). EconoScope | U.S.-Israeli war on Iran costs $2 billion per day, driving up global costs. ecns.cn The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is hitting ordinary Americans in their wallets, with rising gasoline prices, more expensive food, higher mortgage rates, and a surge in fertilizer costs.
(2026-04-13). Cultural relics from Sui Dynasty on display in Beijing. ecns.cn The National Museum of China is hosting the exhibition "Li Jingxun and Her Era" in Beijing, showcasing hundreds of cultural relics that vividly depict the political system, economic exchanges, social life, and ethnic integration of the Sui Dynasty (581-618).
(2026-04-13). Spanish PM's visit to sustain exchanges. ecns.cn Honoring his commitment to make annual trips to China, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez kicked off his fourth visit in as many years to the worlds second-largest economy on Saturday to sustain the momentum of close bilateral high-level exchanges.
(2026-04-13). Resource Competition With China Lay Behind Trump's Iran War. portside.org Resource Competition With China Lay Behind Trump's Iran War |
(2026-04-13). China develops key composite module for reusable spacecraft. ecns.cn China on Saturday unveiled a composite propulsion module for reusable spacecraft, marking a breakthrough in manufacturing large-scale composite structures for space applications, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
(2026-04-13). People celebrate Water Splashing Festival along the China-Myanmar border. ecns.cn People of various ethnic groups celebrated the Water Splashing Festival along the China-Myanmar border in Menglian County, southwest China's Yunnan Province on Sunday.
(2026-04-13). Takaichi fallacious Taiwan remarks undermine foundation of China-Japanese tiesÔºöChinese FM. ecns.cn China on Friday said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's fallacious remarks on Taiwan were the root cause of the current state of China-Japanese relations, after Tokyo downgraded its description of ties with Beijing in its annual diplomatic bluebook.
(2026-04-13). China's consumer market captivates global brands. ecns.cn China's consumer market is gaining fresh momentum from an explosion of new business formats and consumption scenarios as well as a robust policy push, and the dynamism is prompting global companies to position themselves for a stake in what they see as one of the world's most significant sources of future growth, analysts and executives said.
(2026-04-13). China Vanke founder denies arrest rumors, former journalist urges public opinion to be restraint. ecns.cn Wang Shi, founder of Chinese real estate giant Vanke, has denied online rumors that he has been taken into custody.
(2026-04-13). Chinese polar icebreaker returns home after fruitful Antarctic research outcomes. ecns.cn China's polar icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, returned to Shanghai in east China on Thursday after a 160-day-long voyage, part of the country's 42nd Antarctic expedition, having achieved fruitful scientific research outcomes.
(2026-04-13). Susan Watkins: Trump Abroad. newleftreview.org In which direction is America heading, amid the strategic cacophony of Trump's second term—counter-revolution in the Caribbean, onslaught on Iran, somersaults on China? Analysis of the political logics at stake as the US ratchets up from covert to overt assassinations; from wars of attrition to wars of overthrow.
(2026-04-13). 10 measures aim to advance cross-Strait ties. ecns.cn The Chinese mainland released a set of measures on Sunday aimed at promoting peaceful cross-Strait relations and improving the well-being of people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as a delegation led by Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, concluded its visit to the mainland.
(2026-04-13). Chinese FM refutes reports claiming China plans to provide weapons to Iran. ecns.cn China refuted media reports that it is planning to supply weapons to Iran, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
(2026-04-13). Spanish premier urges China to take bigger role in multipolar order. tribune.com.pk 
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday said China should take on a more substantial role with issues including climate change, security, defence, and the fight against inequality, adding that Europe will also have to redouble its efforts as the US withdraws from leadership roles on many fronts. | Sanchez, who is making his fourth visit to China in four years, spoke at Beijing's Tsinghua University. | His visit comes as many Western governments seek to maintain engagement with Beijing despite lingering security and trade tensions. It f…
(2026-04-13). This week in history: April 13-19. wsws.org Massacre of students in Ethiopia; India, China resume official ties; European Coal and Steel Community formed; First dance premiere for Martha Graham…
(2026-04-13). Xi sends congratulations to event commemorating 55th anniversary of China-U.S. Ping-Pong Diplomacy. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a congratulatory letter to an event commemorating the 55th anniversary of China-U.S. Ping-Pong Diplomacy.
(2026-04-13). Nobel laureate calls for balance between AI technology and basic research. ecns.cn Although artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, the scientific research paradigm based on physical experiments must be upheld in critical fields, and overreliance on AI should be avoided, said Nobel chemistry laureate Arieh Warshel during an exclusive interview with China News Service at Southwest University in Chongqing on Friday.
(2026-04-13). Hormuz oil crisis hits China; a family of dentists: 5 weekend reads you missed. scmp.com We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. | 1. 'Cancelling orders' in China: Hormuz oil crisis hits transport and manufacturing | 2. 'A big deal': military drills show Tokyo's growing focus on deterring China | 3. UAE pulls US$3.5 billion from Pakistan after Iran war mediation…
(2026-04-13). Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Visit China. ecns.cn Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will pay an official visit to China from April 14 to 15 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Monday.
(2026-04-13). BYD executive becomes first A-share CFO to earn over 10 mln yuan annually. ecns.cn Chinese new energy vehicle producer giant BYD has revealed in its 2025 annual report that its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Zhou Yalin earned a pre-tax annual salary of 10.135 million yuan (about $1.48 million), making her the first CFO among China's A-share listed companies to surpass the 10 million yuan mark.
(2026-04-13). EU launches critical minerals procurement platform to cut China dependence. scmp.com The European Union on Monday launched ‚Å the critical minerals ‚Å section of its energy and materials ‚Å procurement platform, which aims to give more power to regional buyers and cut dependence on dominant producer China by aggregating their purchases. | The platform is part of the bloc's RESourceEU strategy, announced in December ‚Äåto develop its supply chains for rare earths and other strategic minerals needed for the energy transition and defence applications. China controls up to 90 per cent of…
(2026-04-13). As a global Warring States era begins, China must plan for the future. scmp.com In Beijing, strategic elites have started to see world politics as sliding from the Spring and Autumn period to the Warring States era. However, if China believes the old order is falling apart, its future will depend less on economic power and more on presenting a reliable political vision. | For much of the past decade, the dominant framework for understanding China-US relations has been the Thucydides Trap. Since Graham Allison popularised the term, the relationship has been cast as an…
(2026-04-13). In Numbers: 76 years on, China—Indonesia friendship across mountains and seas. ecns.cn 2026 marks the 76th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Indonesia. Over the years, cooperation in trade, infrastructure, science and technology, and cultural exchanges has steadily advanced, injecting strong momentum into the comprehensive strategic partnership.
(2026-04-13). In Numbers: Spanish PM's visit expected to deepen China-Spain ties. ecns.cn Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will pay an official visit to China from April 11 to 15. This marks Sanchez's fourth visit to China in a four-year period, and it represents another significant high-level exchange between China and Spain in a short period, following the visits by Spanish King Felipe VI and Sanchez last year.
(2026-04-13). Japan to welcome 30 Nato envoys as Trump rattles US allies. scmp.com Japan and Nato are drawing closer together, with 30 representatives from the transatlantic security alliance's member states set to visit Tokyo this month amid mounting concern over Washington's reliability as a security partner. | The Nato envoys will reportedly hold talks on China's expanding regional influence, Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and the implications of a more volatile global security order, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK.
(2026-04-13). Mainland unveils package of policies, measures to boost ties with Taiwan. ecns.cn The Chinese mainland on Sunday rolled out a package of 10 policies and measures ⚪ spanning inter-party communication, infrastructure, travel, trade and culture ⚪ aimed at boosting exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan.
(2026-04-13). EconoScope | China overtakes Japan as world's top car seller. ecns.cn Chinese automakers sold nearly 27 million vehicles worldwide in 2025, surpassing Japan to claim the world's No. 1 position for the first time, according to a report by Japanese media outlet Nikkei.
(2026-04-13). Hong Kong counts down to National Security Education Day with events rallying public for shared security responsibility. ecns.cn HONG KONG, April 12 ⚪ As Hong Kong gears up for the upcoming National Security Education Day on April 15, a series of events have highlighted the pivotal role of coordinated development and security in sustaining the citys prosperity and stability.
(2026-04-13). China overseas students top 570,000 in 2025, returnees remain high. ecns.cn More than 570,000 Chinese students went abroad for study in 2025, while over 535,000 returned to China, data from the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange under the Ministry of Education showed.
(2026-04-13). China reaches semifinals of AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup. ecns.cn China defeated Uzbekistan 2—1 on Saturday night to advance to the semifinals at the AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup held in Thailand and secured direct qualification for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup to be held in Poland this September.
(2026-04-13). Brazil fires slave labour watchdog chief after BYD blacklisting. scmp.com The Brazilian government has dismissed the head of its labour inspection authority, days after his office added Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD to a registry of employers found to have subjected workers to conditions analogous to slavery. | Luiz Felipe Brandao de Mello led the National Secretariat of Labour Inspection since 2023 and his dismissal was published in the official gazette on Monday. He oversaw the unit responsible for enforcing labour standards nationwide, including the fight…
(2026-04-13). Auge del alquiler a corto plazo coloca robots humanoides a trabajar en contratos breves. cubadebate.cu Los robots humanoides se están convirtiendo en toda China en algo habitual durante eventos comerciales, reuniones corporativas y celebraciones culturales. La misma máquina pasa sin problemas de un rol a otro: recibe a los invitados, actúa en el escenario, sirve copas, guía en eventos o Patrulla y vigila un área.