14 h. ago China’s AI and EV boom drives record power demand, widening energy gap with US

China’s total electricity consumption hit a record high of 10.4 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2025, more than double that of the US, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said on Saturday. The 5 per cent jump from the previous year marked the first time in China’s history that annual electricity consumption had surpassed 10 trillion kWh – the highest in the world and more than the combined total of the European Union, Russia, India and Japan, state broadcaster CCTV said, citing NEA...

Politics

48 h. ago Japan ramen eatery bans ‘troublesome’ China customers, charges a lot more for English menu

A Japanese ramen restaurant has ignited controversy by slapping a ban on Chinese customers, accusing them of being troublemakers. Iekei restaurant in the Western city of Osaka announced on social media on January 4 that it had banned all Chinese people. It said a Chinese person had caused trouble in the restaurant, forcing it to call the police. The post said 90 per cent of the trouble it has with foreigners involves Chinese customers. The move triggered controversy and accusations of racism....

Economics

55 h. ago What to watch as China prepares its digital yuan for prime time

What to watch as China prepares its digital yuan for prime time  Atlantic Council

Politics

3 d. ago DeepSeek stays mum on next AI model release as technical papers show frontier innovation

Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek continues to keep the world guessing on when its next major release – the much-anticipated updates to its V3 and R1 models – will be launched, according to analysts, amid its recent publication of technical papers. The papers underscored DeepSeek’s efforts to improve the underlying infrastructure of AI systems in China at a time when geopolitical tensions and domestic production hurdles restricted the country’s access to advanced semiconductors to...

Economics

4 d. ago China’s "Artificial Sun" Exceeds The Greenwald Limit For The First Time, Breaking Nuclear Fusion Density Record

China’s "Artificial Sun" Exceeds The Greenwald Limit For The First Time, Breaking Nuclear Fusion Density Record  IFLScience

Events

4 d. ago Gazprom supplies more gas to China than Europe for the first time

Gazprom supplies more gas to China than Europe for the first time  Euractiv

Politics

4 d. ago How a snap election in Japan could put Sanae Takaichi in a stronger position with China

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is said to be weighing up an early election, a move that could put her in a stronger position with both China and the United States if she secures a decisive win, according to observers. But a diplomatic thaw between Japan and China is not expected any time soon. Media reports in recent days have suggested that Takaichi may call a snap general election to capitalise on her high approval ratings. Citing government sources, the Yomiuri Shinbun reported on...

Politics

4 d. ago FM Wang Yi: China, Africa bolstering strategic trust 'right on time'

FM Wang Yi: China, Africa bolstering strategic trust 'right on time'  news.cgtn.com

Politics

5 d. ago Analysis: Coal power drops in China and India for first time in 52 years after clean

Analysis: Coal power drops in China and India for first time in 52 years after clean-energy records  Carbon Brief

Politics

5 d. ago Gazprom Supplies More Gas to China Than Europe for First Time

Gazprom Supplies More Gas to China Than Europe for First Time  Caspian Post

Politics

5 d. ago China to define lunar time with world’s first timekeeping software for the moon

China to define lunar time with world’s first timekeeping software for the moon  South China Morning Post

Events

8 d. ago GM sales in China rebound for first time since 2018 behind small EVs

GM sales in China rebound for first time since 2018 behind small EVs  Automotive News

Politics

1 week ago Tesla’s China sales hit monthly record as EV buyers race to beat tax increase

Tesla’s deliveries in China jumped to an all-time high in December, buoyed by a buying spree before the government withdrew part of a tax incentive. But the US carmaker is still facing an uphill battle to reclaim its once-secure lead in the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market amid a stern challenge from local rivals. In December, Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai delivered about 94,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles to mainland Chinese customers, 13.4 per cent higher than the previous...

Economics

1 week ago China may take time to lift unofficial ban on Korean culture, South Korean official says

China may take time to lift unofficial ban on Korean culture, South Korean official says  Reuters

Politics

2 w. ago AI scientist Ling Haibin, father of world’s first plant ID app, leaves US for China

AI scientist Ling Haibin, the acclaimed computer scientist behind the world’s first mobile plant identification app, has left his position in the United States to take up a full-time role at Westlake University in Hangzhou, eastern China. One of Ling’s PhD research projects, which involved using computers to recognise leaves of different shapes, led to the creation of the identification app LeafSnap. The app teaches users about plant diversity, how to care for houseplants, diagnose disease and...

Politics

2 w. ago China To Start New Hypergravity Centrifuge To Compress Space

China To Start New Hypergravity Centrifuge To Compress Space-Time – How Does It Work?  IFLScience

Politics

2 w. ago China’s record hypergravity machine, Nepal’s ‘bride buying’ probe: SCMP’s 7 highlights

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China builds a record-breaking hypergravity machine to compress space and time China is set to break its own record in hypergravity research with a colossal new centrifuge that can spin multi-tonne samples at unmatched intensities. 2....

Politics

2 w. ago Taiwan arms, missing Chinese boy, Trump’s Jimmy Lai appeal: 7 US

We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering US-China relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. As Trump upends US foreign policy, analysts see fresh openings for China Trump was expected to continue applying a wrecking ball to long-standing US national security architecture, threatening global stability and jolting long-time allies, with China a major beneficiary, analysts and former...

Politics

2 w. ago Japan CEOs Halt Annual China Trip for First Time in 13 Years

Japan CEOs Halt Annual China Trip for First Time in 13 Years  Bloomberg.com

Politics

2 w. ago China manufacturing activity expands for the first time since March, beating expectations

China manufacturing activity expands for the first time since March, beating expectations  CNBC

Politics