7 d. ago China halts soy imports from Brazil plants, pivots to US amid food safety probe

China has halted imports of soybeans from five Brazilian exporters after inspectors found pesticide-treated wheat mixed into a cargo bound for Beijing, officials from both countries said on Thursday. The suspension by China’s General Administration of Customs was communicated to Brazil’s agriculture ministry on Wednesday and made public on Thursday. The ban covers two Cargill facilities and one plant each run by Louis Dreyfus Co., CHS Agronegocios and 3Tentos Agroindustrial. Four of the plants...

Politics

1 week ago Italian police raid Amazon sites in probe involving Chinese goods

Italian police raided two Amazon sites on Monday as part of a growing investigation into alleged customs and tax fraud involving Chinese imports, three sources with direct knowledge of the case said. Prosecutors suspect the e-commerce giant acted like a “Trojan horse”, bringing Chinese goods into Italy without paying sales taxes or customs duties, according to a court document seen by Reuters. The scheme could have cost the state hundreds of millions of euros and may extend across the European...

Events

1 week ago Ambani zoo, India cleared of probe curbing endangered animal imports

A UN wildlife trade body decided on Sunday not to restrict India from importing endangered animals after many countries supported reversing an earlier stringent recommendation that had embroiled the private zoo run by Asia’s richest family. Vantara, a 3,500-acre zoo in Gujarat run by the philanthropic arm of the Reliance conglomerate led by Mukesh Ambani and his family, faced allegations from non-profit and wildlife groups of improper imports of some animals, triggering higher scrutiny by...

Politics

2 w. ago China to reimpose Japanese seafood import suspension: source

China to reimpose Japanese seafood import suspension: source  Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS

Politics

2 w. ago Beijing tells Tokyo it will suspend Japanese seafood imports: Kyodo News

China has told Japan it will suspend imports of Japanese seafood, Kyodo News said on Wednesday, citing a government source, as the bilateral tensions continue to spiral downwards. The suspension would come than five months after Beijing announced it would lift a nearly two-year import ban on some Japanese seafood. Beijing had cited worries over Japan’s release of treated waste water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Before the ban in 2023, China, including Hong Kong, accounted for more...

Politics

2 w. ago Beijing warns Tokyo of ‘further action’ if Takaichi doesn’t budge on Taiwan stand

China will take “further measures” against Japan unless its prime minister retracts her controversial comments on Taiwan, the foreign ministry said as Beijing reportedly reimposed a ban on Japanese seafood imports. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday that Takaichi’s remarks had undermined the political foundation of China-Japan relations and China “has every reason to respond to such actions”. “The Chinese side will be forced to take severe and resolute...

Events

2 w. ago China informs Tokyo of suspension of Japanese seafood imports: source

China informs Tokyo of suspension of Japanese seafood imports: source  Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS

Politics

2 w. ago BREAKING NEWS: China informs Japan of suspension of seafood imports: source

BREAKING NEWS: China informs Japan of suspension of seafood imports: source  Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS

Politics

3 w. ago China woos Northern Ireland with promises to boost investment, trade

China launched a charm offensive at a new Northern Ireland trade forum on Monday, as Beijing’s chief diplomat to the United Kingdom promised fresh investment and opportunities to tap the vast consumer market of the world’s second-largest economy. The efforts come as China’s widening trade surpluses face rising criticism and scrutiny from European countries – including the UK – amid mounting trade tensions between China and the West. “China is Northern Ireland’s second-largest source of imports...

Politics

3 w. ago Xi vows to boost imports from Spain and deepen ties in talks with King Felipe

Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to increase imports from Spain and deepen trade collaboration with Madrid in Latin America, amid rising tensions with Europe. Xi made the pledge during a meeting with Spain’s King Felipe in Beijing on Wednesday. “China is willing to import more high-quality products from Spain, explore cooperation potential in emerging fields such as new energy, the digital economy and artificial intelligence, expand mutual investment, and create more landmark projects,” Xi...

Politics

3 w. ago Hong Kong exhibitors hail Shanghai import expo as key gateway to mainland China

The world’s largest import fair has become a vital platform for Hong Kong firms to bypass traditional market entry barriers and secure business deals in mainland China, according to exhibitors from the city. Hong Kong exhibitors at the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai said they had secured new contacts with mainland manufacturers and even received investment inquiries from different cities. “Some mega mainland investors, including hospitals, are interested in our...

Politics

3 w. ago Tesla and global carmakers race against Chinese EV rivals at expo

International brands led by Tesla are intensifying their efforts to compete with Chinese electric-vehicle (EV) manufacturers like BYD, as they showcase advanced intelligence and autonomous-driving technology to attract visitors at the world’s largest import-export trade fair in Shanghai. The 12 major carmakers, including General Motors and Volvo, are leveraging the China International Import Expo (CIIE), which runs through Monday, to promote their latest models featuring longer ranges, enhanced...

Politics

4 w. ago Unitree, AgiBot robots steal the show at Shanghai’s import expo

Humanoid robots, cyber dogs and robotic arms have made a strong impression at the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, as a robotics boom has turned machines from the sector into showstoppers. Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics made its third appearance at the CIIE, where it displayed new models, including the lightweight, consumer-facing R1, a taller and more facially human-like H2, and an upgraded industrial-grade legged robot, the A2. At Unitree’s booth, crowds eagerly...

Events