Vice President Han Zheng, who will represent China at Donald Trump's inauguration on Monday, is a key adviser to President Xi Jinping. Han, a seasoned figure in Chinese politics, rose from humble beginnings working on a collective farm and in factories to becoming one of the country’s most influential leaders, reports AP. China’s choice to send Han instead of its usual ambassador to Washington seems to be a deliberate message, indicating its openness to improving ties with the U.S., while ensuring Xi remains insulated from potential criticism if relations deteriorate. As Trump returns to the White House, families brace for mass deportations A number of contentious issues between the two countries involve trade, with Trump threatening high tariffs on Chinese imports. Relations have also been strained over technology and China’s assertive territorial claims in the South China Sea. Like many young Chinese, Han was sent to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution as part of Mao Zedong’s “learn from the peasants” campaign. Upon returning to the cities, many found work in state-run industries. At 70, Han advanced through the ranks in Shanghai during the 1980s and 1990s, a period when China’s economy was rapidly growing. He held both Communist Party and managerial roles in the chemical and rubber industries, eventually catching the attention of senior leaders. His career trajectory led him to district-level governance, then mayor of the city, and later party secretary, after his predecessor was involved in a financial scandal. Xi had briefly held this position, providing Han with an opportunity to build a connection with him before Xi assumed China’s leadership. In 2017, Han reached the pinnacle of Chinese political power by joining the Politburo Standing Committee, and after one five-year term, he was appointed vice president, a role Xi has enhanced with new responsibilities as a key adviser and envoy. Eight years ago, stars avoided Trump's inauguration. This time it’s different Throughout his career, Han has displayed a talent for diplomacy, particularly in handling unrest in Hong Kong and attending international events such as the United Nations General Assembly. On Sunday, Han met U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and business leaders, including Elon Musk, in Washington, just ahead of the inauguration.

China has carried out the executions of two men involved in deadly attacks that claimed dozens of lives in November, raising concerns about a rise in "revenge on society crimes," according to state media reports on Monday, reports AP. Fan Weiqu, 62, was executed after ramming his car into a crowd outside a sports stadium in Zhuhai, southern China, killing at least 35 people. This attack was the deadliest in the country in over ten years. Police stated that Fan was angered by his divorce settlement. Southeast Asian foreign ministers seek breakthrough in Myanmar conflict and South China Sea disputes In a separate incident, 21-year-old Xu Jiajin killed eight people and injured 17 others in a stabbing spree at his vocational school in Wuxi, eastern China. Authorities revealed that Xu, frustrated with his failed examinations and unsatisfactory internship pay, carried out the attack. He was also executed on Monday, as reported by CCTV. The killings prompted Chinese President Xi Jinping to call for local governments to implement measures to prevent such "revenge on society crimes." The death sentences for both men were handed down by the intermediate people’s courts in Zhuhai and Wuxi in December and later approved by the Supreme People’s Court. China's economy grows 5% in 2024 China is believed to carry out more executions annually than the rest of the world combined, though the exact figures remain a state secret. While executions were traditionally carried out by gunshot, lethal injections have been increasingly used in recent years.

China's economy grew at an annual rate of 5% in 2024, meeting Beijing's "around 5%" growth target, though slower than the previous year. This performance was driven by robust exports and recent stimulus measures, reports AP. Americans to experience economic pain from Trump tariffs: Canada The government reported Friday that the economy accelerated in the fourth quarter, with a 5.4% growth rate from October to December. Export activity surged as businesses and consumers sought to preempt potential tariff increases by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Chinese goods. “The national economy was generally stable, with steady progress and notable achievements in high-quality development,” the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated. The report credited timely implementation of policy measures for boosting public confidence and facilitating a significant economic recovery. Manufacturing played a key role in the growth, with industrial output rising 5.8% year-on-year. Retail sales of consumer goods increased by 3.5% annually, while exports grew 7.1% and imports rose 2.3%. Germany's economy shrinks again Despite these gains, China's economy faces challenges, including weaker consumer spending, deflationary pressures, and a struggling property sector, historically a major growth driver. The economy grew at 5.2% in 2023, and experts anticipate a further slowdown in coming years. According to Zichun Huang of Capital Economics, recent policy easing helped the economy regain momentum in the last quarter of 2024. Huang noted, “Increased fiscal spending should continue to support activity in the near term, though growth is likely to slow in 2025 due to potential U.S. tariff hikes and structural imbalances.” China’s aging and declining population adds to its economic pressures. The population dropped for the third consecutive year in 2024, reaching 1.408 billion—a decline of 1.39 million from the previous year. Rising living costs, coupled with stagnant wages, have led many young Chinese to delay or forgo marriage and parenthood, exacerbating demographic challenges. Some analysts question the accuracy of China’s official growth figures. Cornell University economist Eswar Prasad remarked, “The official growth target’s exact achievement is doubtful, given widespread indicators of weak economic activity and financial stress.” He cited low domestic demand, deflationary pressures, and an unfavourable global environment as major hurdles. President-elect Trump has pledged to increase U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports, while the outgoing Biden administration recently tightened restrictions on exports of advanced semiconductors and technologies to China, aiming to maintain the U.S. lead in innovation. In response, China’s government has introduced various stimulus measures, including reducing bank reserve requirements, lowering interest rates, and advancing budget allocations for infrastructure projects. Authorities have also instructed banks to support indebted property developers. Fu Linghui, NBS spokesperson, emphasised the importance of boosting consumption and domestic demand in 2025. “With coordinated efforts between existing and incremental policies, economic recovery momentum is building, consumer demand recovery has accelerated, and favourable conditions for moderate price rebounds are increasing,” Fu said. To revive domestic demand, Beijing has expanded a trade-in programme for consumer goods and raised salaries for millions of government employees. However, economists stress the need for broader structural reforms to enhance productivity and reduce reliance on construction and export manufacturing. Concerns persist about private sector confidence, which has been shaken by years of unpredictable policy changes. Additionally, weak social safety nets, declining housing prices, and subdued stock market performance have dampened household spending. “China needs a comprehensive and well-coordinated policy package to revitalise growth,” Prasad advised. Such measures should combine substantial monetary and fiscal stimulus with reforms to rebuild private sector confidence and support long-term economic sustainability.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Thursday met Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides had in-depth exchanges of views on Bangladesh-China relations, bilateral cooperation and joint celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Bangladesh. Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain will pay an official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on January 20-24 which is described as “very important first bilateral visit” after the formation of the interim government led by Prof Muhammad Yunus in August last year. Read: Dhaka to urge Beijing for lower interest rates, extended repayment period: Touhid Hossain The foreign adviser said he will leave Dhaka on January 20 (evening) and will return to Dhaka on January 24. He will have engagements on January 21-23. Bangladesh sees Hossain’s maiden bilateral visit to China as a “great opportunity” to further strengthen and deepen the bilateral relations with Beijing giving an outline for the future cooperation.

In a significant move to bolster its presence in the Indian Ocean, India’s navy simultaneously launched a submarine, a destroyer, and a frigate at a state-owned shipyard on Wednesday. This step highlights the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean, through which 95% of India’s trade passes, amid increasing Chinese naval activities. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the shifting focus from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean, describing the region as a pivotal center of global power competition. "India is prioritizing the enhancement of its navy to safeguard national interests," he stated. Two private lunar landers embark on roundabout moon journey Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while commissioning the vessels at the Mazagon dockyard in Mumbai, called the development a milestone in India's quest to become a global leader in defense manufacturing and maritime security. Defense expert Rahul Bedi noted that China’s rapidly expanding navy presents challenges in the Indian Ocean. The newly launched submarine, INS Vagsheer, is the sixth in the French-designed Kalvari (Scorpene)-class diesel-electric series. It aims to replace India's aging submarine fleet and address critical capability gaps. Currently, India operates 16 submarines. The P75 Scorpene project, developed in partnership with France's Naval Group, marks India's growing competence in submarine construction. The defense ministry is expected to finalize a deal for three more Scorpene submarines during Prime Minister Modi's anticipated visit to Paris next month for the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. However, the first of these submarines is not expected to be operational until 2031. Blue Origin attempts rocket launch again after last-minute delay India’s indigenous defense efforts received a boost in 2022 with the commissioning of its first home-built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, to counter China's larger naval fleet and enhance local shipbuilding expertise. The INS Vikrant, meaning "powerful" or "courageous" in Sanskrit, is India’s second operational carrier, joining the INS Vikramaditya, which was purchased from Russia in 2004.

China’s exports in December grew at a faster pace than expected, as factories rushed to fill orders to beat higher tariffs that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose once he takes office. Exports rose 10.7% from a year earlier. Economists had forecast they would grow about 7%. Imports rose 1% year-on-year. Analysts had expected imports to shrink about 1.5%. Trump has pledged to raise tariffs on Chinese goods and close some loopholes that exporters now use to sell their products more cheaply in the U.S. If enacted, his plans would likely raise prices in America and squeeze sales and profit margins for Chinese exporters. With exports outpacing imports, China's trade surplus grew to $104.84 billion. China's exports are likely to remain strong in the near-term, said Zichun Huang of Capital Economics, as businesses try to “front-run” potentially higher tariffs. Read: Asian shares decline amid concerns over rate cuts and tariffs “Outbound shipments are likely to stay resilient in the near-term, supported by further gains in global market share thanks to a weak real effective exchange rate," she wrote in a note. But exports will likely weaken later in the year if Trump follows through on his threat to impose tariffs, Huang said.

A group of Uyghur men detained in Thailand for over a decade claim that Thai authorities are planning to deport them to China, reports AP., Activists and family members warn that these men face a high risk of persecution, including abuse and torture, if returned. House China panel turns focus to plight of Uyghurs In a letter obtained by the Associated Press, 43 Uyghur men in detention in Bangkok issued a public plea to prevent what they described as an imminent deportation. "We could be imprisoned, and we might even lose our lives," the letter stated, urging international organisations and nations to act swiftly to prevent a "tragic fate." The Uyghurs, a Turkic, predominantly Muslim ethnic group native to China's Xinjiang region, have long faced discrimination and suppression from Beijing. A sweeping crackdown by the Chinese government, described as genocide by some Western nations, has led to the detention of hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs in camps and prisons, where reports of abuse, disease, and deaths have emerged. In 2014, Thai authorities detained over 300 Uyghurs fleeing China near the Malaysian border. In 2015, 109 were forcibly returned to China, sparking international condemnation, while 173 women and children were sent to Turkey. Fifty-three Uyghurs remained in Thai detention, with five dying over the years, including two children. UK people s tribunal hears claims China abused Uyghurs Currently, 48 detainees remain in custody, five of whom are serving sentences after a failed escape attempt. Advocates describe dire conditions in detention, including overcrowding, inadequate food, poor sanitation, and restrictions on contact with families, lawyers, and international organisations. The treatment may violate international law, according to a 2024 letter from UN human rights experts to the Thai government. Thai immigration police claim they are doing their best to care for the detainees. However, records obtained by the AP show that on January 8, officials asked the detainees to sign voluntary deportation papers, reminiscent of documents presented to those deported in 2015. The detainees refused. Sources told the AP that Thai authorities are discussing deportations, with some officials reportedly favouring the move due to the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with China and expectations of muted backlash from the U.S. amid its presidential transition. Neither the Thai nor Chinese foreign ministries responded to requests for comment. China accuses the Uyghurs of being jihadists but has provided no evidence. Rights groups and Uyghur activists insist the detainees are innocent and warn that deportation could lead to imprisonment or death in China. "There’s no evidence that these 43 Uyghurs have committed any crime," said Peter Irwin of the Uyghur Human Rights Project. "They have the right not to be deported." Relatives and advocates express growing concern. Bilal Ablet, whose brother is among the detainees, described constant fear and frustration. "World governments know about this but seem to ignore it due to Chinese pressure," he said. Despite Thai claims that no other country is willing to accept the Uyghurs, an April 2023 letter from Thailand's Human Rights Commission noted that some countries are ready to resettle them. China rejects UN report on Uyghur rights abuses in Xinjiang Abdullah Muhammad, a Uyghur in Turkey, shared his anguish over his father, one of the detainees. "My father crossed into Thailand illegally but has committed no other crime," he said. "Why are they doing this? We have no connection to terrorism." Although all detainees have submitted asylum applications to the UN refugee agency, the Thai government has barred UN access to them. The UNHCR did not respond to requests for comment. On Saturday, the detention centre where the Uyghurs are held was quiet, with a guard stating it was closed until Monday. Meanwhile, concerns over their safety continue to grow.

Britain’s Treasury chief kicked off a visit to China on Saturday aimed at boosting economic and financial cooperation between the countries, as the UK’s Labour government seeks to reset strained ties with Beijing. Rachel Reeves, who is traveling with a delegation of British business leaders, will meet top Chinese finance and economic officials including Vice Premier He Lifeng. “Growth is the number one mission of this Labour government. And to grow the economy, we need to help great British businesses export around the world,” Reeves said on Saturday as she visited a store of the British folding bike maker Brompton in Beijing. She added the aim of her visit was “to unlock tangible benefits for British businesses exporting and trading around the world, to ensure that we have greater access to the second biggest economy in the world.” Taiwan says China is redoubling efforts to undermine democracy with disinformation A priority for Reeves’ trip is reviving the China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue — annual bilateral talks that have been suspended since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and deteriorating relations. London hopes renewed dialogues will help bring down barriers that UK businesses face when looking to export or expand to China. The talks were shelved after ties sourced following a series of spying allegations from both sides, China’s support for Russia in the Ukraine war and a crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kong, a former British colony. British officials said Reeves will also urge Beijing to stop its material and economic support for the Russian war effort in Ukraine and raise the issue of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong. The delegation includes Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey and the CEOs of the UK Financial Conduct Authority and the London Stock Exchange Group. Senior executives from some of Britain’s biggest financial services firms, including the group chairmen of HSBC and Standard Chartered, were also included. Reeves’ visit comes after Foreign Secretary David Lammy travelled to China in October and Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Brazil in November. It's all part of a bid by Starmer, who was elected as leader in July, to strengthen political and economic ties with China, the UK’s fourth-largest single trading partner according to the Treasury. Officials said Starmer wanted a “pragmatic” approach to working with Beijing on global stability, climate change and the transition to clean energy. But some in the opposition Conservative Party have criticized his stance and said trade ties should not come at the expense of national security and human rights concerns. China's manufacturing activity slows in December as trade risks grow British political leaders and intelligence chiefs have warned repeatedly that China poses security threats. Calls to tackle the challenge grew louder last month when it emerged that an alleged Chinese spy had cultivated close ties with Prince Andrew and carried out “covert and deceptive activity” for China’s ruling Communist Party, according to officials. “National security is the foundation of what any government acting in the national interest will prioritize,” Reeves said. “But we need to make sure that we have pragmatic and good relations with countries around the world. That is in our national interest.”

Tents and other essential supplies are being distributed to survivors of a deadly earthquake in Tibet, which killed 126 people and rendered thousands homeless in freezing high-altitude conditions, reports AP. Rescue workers continued searching on Wednesday for victims and survivors near the holy Tibetan Buddhist city of Xigaze, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, following the quake that struck a day earlier. Strong earthquake kills at least 95 people in western China near Mount Everest The confirmed death toll stands at 126, with 188 injured, as of Tuesday evening. Temperatures in the region, averaging an altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet), dropped well below freezing overnight. Over 3,600 houses collapsed, forcing 30,000 residents to relocate, according to a preliminary survey cited by the city government. The epicenter of the earthquake, measuring a magnitude of 7.1 according to the U.S. Geological Survey, was approximately 25 kilometers (15 miles) from Xigaze and about 75 kilometers (50 miles) from Mount Everest and Nepal's border. Chinese authorities recorded the magnitude at 6.8. The quake also caused widespread panic in Nepal, where people fled their homes in the capital, it said. Earthquake kills 126 people in China near Mount Everest Gurum village, with a population of 222, reported 22 deaths, including the mother of its Communist Party chief, Tsering Phuntsog, who noted that even young residents struggled to escape collapsing buildings. Several of his relatives remain buried under debris. The region’s historical and political significance has added complexity to the disaster response. Xigaze is home to the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, associated with the Panchen Lama, Tibetan Buddhism’s second-highest figure. A decades-long dispute exists between the Chinese government and followers of the Dalai Lama regarding the Panchen Lama’s legitimacy, following the disappearance of a Dalai Lama-appointed boy in the mid-1990s, added the report. The Chinese government claims Tibet as part of its territory, while many Tibetans argue they were largely independent before China’s 1950 invasion. This tension, coupled with Tibet’s restrictions on foreign journalists, often limits external reporting on the region. Rescue operations are ongoing, with 1,850 rescuers, including firefighters and emergency personnel, deployed, as reported by state broadcaster CCTV. Communications in the area have been restored, facilitating the delivery of relief items such as tents and quilts. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out rescue efforts to save lives and minimize casualties,” Xinhua reported. Despite this, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun criticized the Dalai Lama's plans to lead a prayer ceremony in Dharamsala, India, for the earthquake victims, reaffirming the government's stance against him. Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama and a significant Tibetan exile community, also plans to hold a candlelight vigil on Wednesday night. Strong earthquake kills at least 95 people in western China near Mount Everest More than 500 aftershocks have been recorded, underscoring the earthquake’s intensity. Chinese officials remain confident in their ability to rebuild under the Communist Party’s leadership.

 A strong earthquake shook a high-altitude region of western China and areas of Nepal on Tuesday, damaging hundreds of houses, littering streets with rubble and killing at least 126 people in Tibet. Many others were trapped as dozens of aftershocks shook the remote region. Rescue workers climbed mounds of broken bricks, some using ladders in heavily damaged villages, as they searched for survivors. Videos posted by China's Ministry of Emergency Management showed two people being carried on stretchers by workers treading over the debris from collapsed homes. At least 188 people were injured in Tibet on the Chinese side of the border, the official Xinhua News Agency said. More than 1,000 homes were damaged in the barren and sparsely populated region, state broadcaster CCTV reported. In video posted by the broadcaster, building debris littered streets and crushed cars. People in northeastern Nepal strongly felt the earthquake, but there were no initial reports of injuries or damage, according to the country's National Emergency Operation Center. The area around Mount Everest, about 75 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of the epicenter, was empty in the depth of winter when even some residents move away to escape the cold. The quake woke up residents in Nepal’s capital of Kathmandu — about 230 kilometers (140 miles) from the epicenter — and sent them running into the streets. Read: Bangladesh on edge as earthquake threats escalating The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake measured magnitude 7.1 and was relatively shallow at a depth of about 10 kilometers (6 miles). China's Earthquake Networks Center recorded the magnitude as 6.8. Shallow earthquakes often cause more damage. The epicenter was in Tibet's Tingri county, where the India and Eurasia plates grind against each other and can cause earthquakes strong enough to change the heights of some of the world’s tallest peaks in the Himalayan mountains. Tibet is part of China, but many Tibetans’ loyalties lie with the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader who has lived in exile in India since a failed anti-Chinese uprising in 1959. Western governments and human rights organizations have repeatedly accused the Chinese government of abuses in Tibet, where it has cracked down on dissent while investing heavily in economic development. There have been 10 earthquakes of at least magnitude 6 in the area where Tuesday’s quake hit over the past century, the USGS said. About 150 aftershocks were recorded in the nine hours after the earthquake, and the Mount Everest scenic area on the Chinese side was closed. Read more: Earthquake activity near Alaskan Volcano sparks concerns Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for all-out efforts to rescue people, minimize casualties and resettle those whose homes were damaged. More than 3,000 rescuers were deployed, CCTV said. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was dispatched to the area to guide the work, and the government announced the allocation of 100 million yuan ($13.6 million) for disaster relief. About 6,900 people live in three townships and 27 villages within 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) of the epicenter on the Chinese side, state media said. The average altitude in the area is about 4,200 meters (13,800 feet), the Chinese earthquake center said in a social media post. On the southwest edge of Kathmandu, a video showed water spilling out into the street from a pond in a courtyard with a small temple. “It is a big earthquake," a woman can be heard saying. "People are all shaking.”