The last major sticking points are the geographic scope to be covered by the agreement, the definition of sensitive terms and whether the accord should be legally binding or not, according to the three diplomats. They spoke on condition of anonymity and without elaborating because they were not authorized to discuss the issues in public.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for a more balanced trade relationship with China, with the objective to “de-risk, not decouple”, as Chinese ambassador Xie Feng spoke of adhering to “red lines” at an event in New York on Tuesday. “Trade must advance the interests of both parties without diminishing the sovereignty of either,” said Bessent, while emphasising that US-China ties were defined by the relationship between their leaders, who are due to meet next week for a summit. “That...
The government has implemented a ban on the export of unsorted waste and scrap from certain batteries. This ban applies specifically to primary cells, batteries, and electric accumulators lacking hazardous substances. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued a notification establishing this prohibition, which is effective immediately. Previous regulations classified these exports as 'Free', but now they are categorized as 'Prohibited'.
China has established an institute dedicated to preserving rare and endangered historical disciplines, advancing Beijing’s push to elevate traditional culture as a pillar of its soft power and national narrative. The institute was inaugurated at the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (UCASS) in Beijing on Friday, alongside the launch of an association to consolidate nationwide resources involving the studies. The institute includes a dozen ancient ethnic minority scripts such as...
Echoes of the Silk Road
The market value of Nvidia has plummeted following troubling accusations against CEO Jensen Huang, linked to his association with Alice Huang, who faces espionage allegations. The FBI is currently investigating whether foreign intelligence agencies have targeted Huang due to this connection. In response, Nvidia's board has begun an internal review to mitigate potential threats, highlighting vital concerns about the company's security measures and governance structure.
How hand-drawn art connects military attachés to the Long March
Farmers from Pakistan's Sindh province are pursuing legal action against German firms RWE and Heidelberg Materials. They claim these companies' emissions contributed to severe flooding that devastated their livelihoods in 2022. This case marks a significant attempt to hold major polluters accountable for climate change impacts.
Wang Yi meets Slovak FM Blanár in Beijing