Global Scans · China · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Any disruption in economic activity between China and the United States will necessarily affect other Asian and world economies. How China handles Donald Trump's administration, its relationship with Russia and develops its leadership ambitions will be key areas to watch intently in the coming years.

• [New] Chinese growth would slow from 5% last year to 4.7% in 2025 and 4.3% in 2026. World Socialist Web Site
• [New] With a goal of welcoming 7 million arrivals from China by 2026, Malaysia is preparing for a record tourism season that will further embed its stature within the global travel ecosystem. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The Ministry of Tourism's objective of attracting 7 million Chinese visitors by 2026 constitutes a serious challenge, yet it simultaneously catalyses a significant enlargement of tourism infrastructure, service delivery, and supporting economic platforms. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Western export controls could limit Chinese access to advanced semiconductors, slowing deployment of 5G and AI infrastructure. Christopher Sanchez & Co.
• [New] Chinese investment in Europe is diversifying into battery plants; CATL, BYD and Envision plan gigafactories in Germany, Hungary and France to serve EU electric-vehicle supply chains. Christopher Sanchez & Co.
• [New] In Latin America, China's COSCO built the US$ 3.4 billion Chancay deep-water port in Peru; the project, financed via a US$ 975 million syndicated loan, will cut shipping times to Asia by two weeks and serve as a hub for copper and soy exports. Christopher Sanchez & Co.
• [New] China's solar photovoltaic (PV) output alone is expected to soon exceed the current electricity demand of the United States, illustrating the scale of ambition and achievement already underway. Thinkers360
• [New] With a significant population and anticipated growth in energy, China has many opportunities to grow and take the lead in using and developing green hydrogen technology and infrastructure worldwide. Precedence Research
• [New] As global understanding of AI risks grows, Chinese discourse is also shifting - and now includes talk of catastrophic AI risks, which previously received little attention in China. Centre for Emerging Technology and Security
• [New] China is now investing considerable resources to influence international standards for AI, which could prove instrumental in securing its global position in AI governance. Centre for Emerging Technology and Security
• [New] In the coming years, the Chinese government will almost certainly increase its influence over AI development through closer collaboration with industry and academia. Centre for Emerging Technology and Security
• [New] China's self-sufficiency rate in semiconductors is projected to reach 50% by 2025, driven by state-backed initiatives like the National IC Industry Investment Fund. Ainvest
• [New] By 2030, a fifth of new cars sold in China will be fully driverless, and 70% will feature advanced assisted-driving technology. Rest of World
• [New] Demand growth is forecast to accelerate to 5.7% in China and 6.6% in India next year, from 5% and 4% in 2025, respectively. IEA
• [New] China and India are expected to drive 60% of the increase in global electricity consumption over 2025 and 2026. IEA
• [New] New US tariffs on products imported from iPhone assembly hubs like China and India are expected to raise production costs. The Times Of India
• [New] The balance between lithium supply and demand was already tightening, with a small surplus expected in 2025. / China CNBC
• [New] Rapid progress in chip design and algorithmic efficiency by Huawei and other Chinese companies is expected to make them strong competitors in AI hardware, within the next few years. Global Indian Times
• [New] China's Crewed Moon Lander Test: China took a significant stride toward its goal of landing taikonauts on the Moon by 2030. TS2 Space
• [New] With an additional 112,000 kilometers of rail lines expected to be laid over the next 25 years, China's rail network will not only continue to connect more domestic cities but also provide greater access to international tourists. Travel And Tour World
• [New] The rapid growth of China's exports will be with Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, West Asia, Central Asia, Latin America - not with the US and western Europe. Dissident Voice | a radical newsletter in the struggle
• [New] More recently, China has tested a similar capability, mated to a hypersonic glide vehicle whose speed and maneuverability could enable it to evade modern missile defences. TJAGLCS
• [New] Surge in Secondhand Clothing Sales: Advancements in artificial intelligence and potential U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods are projected to boost global secondhand clothing sales by 11% in 2025, reaching $227 billion. best colorful socks

Last updated: 15 August 2025