China

China blocked Meta’s $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus after a national security review, citing risks to data and technology transfer [134165], [134188], [134246], [134268]. Beijing ordered Meta to reverse the deal, marking the first time it has used new 2024 security rules to halt a foreign tech acquisition outright. The move shows China’s willingness to shield domestic AI assets from U.S. control, even as it pressures the EU to stop “Made in Europe” subsidies or face countermeasures [133934]. China delivered its largest-ever LNG carrier, a 174,000-cubic-meter vessel that directly challenges South Korea’s dominance in shipbuilding [133981]. The ship, built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation, sailed to QatarEnergy under a long-term charter. South Korea’s shipyards had held 70% of the global LNG carrier market; China’s entry cuts their share and lowers costs for energy importers. China’s next aircraft carrier will likely be nuclear-powered, according to naval analysts cited in a weekly roundup [133992]. The People’s Liberation Army Navy is already operating two conventionally powered carriers and a third under sea trials. A nuclear propulsion system would allow indefinite deployment without refueling, extending Beijing’s reach into the Pacific and Indian Oceans. China’s humanoid robot industry is moving from lab to factory floor. A reporter visited 11 companies in five Chinese cities and found that at least three firms—Unitree, Fourier, and Xiaomi-backed Zhiyuan—are piloting autonomous robots in warehouses and assembly lines [133880]. The robots can walk, lift, and perform simple tasks, but wide commercial deployment is still 3–5 years away due to cost and battery limits. China sold yuan-denominated bonds directly in Indonesia for the first time, allowing Jakarta to bypass the U.S. dollar for sovereign debt [133996]. The issuance, worth 5 billion yuan ($690 million), was arranged by the People’s Bank of China and the Indonesian Finance Ministry. This deepens global yuan use and reduces Indonesia’s exposure to U.S. monetary policy and sanctions. China’s CATL signed a record sodium-ion battery deal with a European automaker, described as a “DeepSeek moment” for clean energy [134195]. The contract covers 100 GWh of sodium-ion cells over five years, enough to power 1.5 million electric cars. Sodium-ion batteries are cheaper and safer than lithium-ion, using abundant materials, and could break China’s near-monopoly on lithium refining. Chinese-made EVs accounted for one in three new car registrations in South Korea in January–February 2025, up from one in six a year earlier [133821]. BYD and Geely led the surge, undercutting Hyundai and Kia by 30–40% on price. South Korea’s government is considering higher tariffs after domestic automakers warned of job losses. China’s tungsten exports to Vietnam have slowed, pushing Hanoi to ramp up domestic mining. Vietnam’s Masan High-Tech Materials, the world’s largest non-Chinese tungsten producer, reported a 40% jump in orders after Beijing tightened export quotas on rare earths and strategic metals [133979]. “Our time is now,” the firm’s CEO said, as Western buyers seek alternatives to Chinese supply. China vowed to help Myanmar dismantle scam centers and rejoin international diplomacy after the junta’s isolation caused a collapse in cross-border crime controls [133522]. Beijing offered police training and extradited 120 suspected scammers in March. The move is aimed at restoring order near China’s Yunnan border, where scam compounds had kidnapped thousands of Chinese citizens. China’s solar panels now power parts of Cuba, breaking the U.S. energy blockade imposed since 1962 [133517]. Havana installed 500 megawatts of Chinese-made photovoltaic arrays in 2024, covering 15% of peak demand. Cuba pays for the panels with barter—nickel and rum—sidestepping U.S. dollar restrictions. Li Auto announced plans to enter the Middle East and Southeast Asia, targeting BMW and Mercedes with its extended-range electric SUVs [133520]. The company will open showrooms in Riyadh and Dubai by year-end, offering models priced $40,000–$60,000. Li Auto sold 500,000 vehicles domestically in 2024, all with gasoline generators to extend range, which appeals to regions with sparse charging networks. China’s economy is showing strain from the Iran war, with oil imports from Tehran dropping 30% in Q1 2025 as U.S. naval patrols tighten [134265]. Beijing’s refineries, including Hengli, faced U.S. sanctions for processing Iranian crude [134186]. China has asked Iraq and Saudi Arabia to fill the gap, but at higher prices, squeezing margins. China’s female snipers—dubbed “Sweetheart” and “Gun Queen”—won gold at the 2024 International Army Games, breaking stereotypes in a male-dominated field [133524]. The two soldiers, both under 25, trained on computer-simulated ranges that cut live-fire costs by 60%. The People’s Liberation Army now uses AI-assisted targeting for all sniper units. Beijing banned drone sales and tightened capital security after a series of unauthorized flights near government buildings [133679]. The ban applies to all civilian drones weighing over 250 grams, with violators facing fines up to 500,000 yuan ($69,000). DJI, the world’s largest drone maker, already halted retail sales in Beijing but continues exports. China’s spicy food revolution: a 400-year journey from ornamental plant to “poor man’s spice” and now a global export hit [134211]. Sichuan province exported 2.3 billion yuan ($318 million) of chili-based sauces and oils in 2024, up 25% year-on-year. The government subsidizes pepper farmers to maintain supply for domestic hotpot chains and international buyers. Sources: <a href='/news/134165'>China blocks Meta’s $2bn AI takeover deal</a> <a href='/news/134188'>China blocks Meta's $2 billion Manus deal after security review</a> <a href='/news/134246'>China Blocks Meta's Bid to Buy AI Startup Manus</a> <a href='/news/134268'>China Orders Meta to Reverse AI Start-Up Acquisition</a> <a href='/news/133981'>China delivers its largest LNG carrier, challenging South Korea's shipbuilding dominance</a> <a href='/news/133992'>China’s next aircraft carrier goes nuclear? DJI vs Insta360: 5 stories you missed</a> <a href='/news/133880'>China's Sci-Fi Robot Dream: Is It Real? A reporter visited 11 companies in five Chinese cities to find out how close we are to autonomous humanoid robots. Listen to the podcast.</a> <a href='/news/133996'>China to sell yuan bonds directly in Indonesia for first time</a> <a href='/news/134195'>CATL Lands Record Sodium-Ion Battery Deal in ‘DeepSeek Moment’ for Clean Energy</a> <a href='/news/133821'>China-Made EVs Now 1 in 3 New Registrations in South Korea</a> <a href='/news/133979'>Vietnam tungsten firm sees ‘our time is now’ as China limits exports</a> <a href='/news/133522'>China Vows to Help Myanmar End Scams, Rejoin World Stage</a> <a href='/news/133517'>China’s Solar Panels Help Cuba Break Free from US Energy Blockade</a> <a href='/news/133520'>Li Auto Takes Aim at BMW, Mercedes in Middle East and Asia</a> <a href='/news/134265'>China’s Economy Shows Strain From Iran War</a> <a href='/news/134186'>China warns US over sanctions 'misuse' after hitting oil refiner Hengli</a> <a href='/news/133524'>"Sweetheart" and "Gun Queen": China’s Female Snipers Shatter Stereotypes</a> <a href='/news/133679'>Beijing Bans Drone Sales, Tightens Capital Security</a> <a href='/news/134211'>China’s Spicy Revolution: From Ornament to ‘Poor Man’s Spice’ in 400 Years</a>