China's Youth Jobless Rate Falls, But a 'Durian War' Heats Up

China's youth unemployment rate has eased, according to new official data. However, a new trade rivalry is emerging over a spiky, smelly fruit: the durian. The latest figures show the jobless rate for 16- to 24-year-olds fell to 14.2% in August. This excludes students. The rate had hit a record high earlier this year, prompting a suspension of the data. Its return shows a modest improvement. Meanwhile, Europe faces a growing trade deficit with China. Analysts say the EU has few short-term options to fix this. Europe still leads in key sectors like pharmaceuticals and machinery, but the gap is widening. In international diplomacy, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing's support for a key strategic partner during a recent meeting. Separately, a new competitor is challenging Thailand's dominance in the lucrative durian market. Vietnam has officially begun exporting fresh durians to China. This sets the stage for a direct battle over Asia's popular "king of fruits."