Culture news

Why is Draco Malfoy 2026's Lunar New Year mascot in China?

Chinese Lunar New Year begins on Tuesday 17 February and marks the start of the Year of the Fire Horse - last seen in 1966. And this year's celebrations have an unlikely, Harry Potter-themed mascot. Here's why.

5 February 2026

China

China's Xi Jinping holds video call with Russia's Vladimir Putin

China’s Xi Jinping held a video call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss bilateral ties and exchange strategies and views on current geopolitical tensions. The call between the two allies came just before President Xi held a wide-ranging phone call with US President Donald Trump.

5 February 2026

USA

Trump pushes Beijing to break from Tehran in phone call with Xi

Trump said he held an “excellent” phone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Wednesday where the pair discussed many things, from trade to the war in Ukraine. Topping the agenda of their talks was the situation in Iran, as Washington continues to urge countries to isolate Tehran.

5 February 2026

Europe News

EU-China relations enter 'do no harm' phase as Trump's shadow looms

Last year, the EU and China flirted with a diplomatic reset, which collapsed after Beijing imposed broad restrictions on rare earth exports. That bruising experience has set the stage for a cautious engagement in 2026.

3 February 2026

Europe News

EU's climate goals at risk without China's raw materials, auditors say

Despite the EU's ongoing efforts to diversify supply chains, Chinese materials are crucial for the bloc's climate transition. China accounts for 60% of global production of critical raw materials and 90% of refining capacity.

2 February 2026

United Kingdom

American student jailed for life for killing Chinese girlfriend in UK

Joshua Michals was sentenced at London's Old Bailey criminal court for stabbing and killing Zhe Wang a fellow student at Goldsmiths, University of London in March 2024.

30 January 2026

Business

Hong Kong 'firmly rejects' ruling cancelling operation of Panama ports

The court’s ruling followed an audit by Panama’s comptroller, which alleged irregularities in the 25-year extension of the concession granted in 2021.

30 January 2026

China

Donald Trump warns it is 'very dangerous' for UK to deal with China

Downing Street said that the White House had been aware of Starmer's trip and its objectives in advance and pointed out that Trump himself is due to visit China in April.

30 January 2026

China

Starmer meets Xi in Beijing to strengthen UK-China relations

The first UK prime minister to visit in eight years, Starmer has sought business deals and a "strategic partnership" to reset ties strained by decades of tensions.

29 January 2026

Tech News

A floating power station? China tests wind turbines in the sky

Wind power could soon come from the sky as China has successfully tested a megawatt-class airborne turbine that generates electricity while hovering 2000 metres up.

29 January 2026

USA

'Doomsday Clock' reaches less than minute and a half to midnight

The Doomsday Clock moved to 85 seconds to midnight, the closest ever, due to rising threats from nuclear weapons, climate change and disinformation.

27 January 2026

Travel News

More Europeans can now visit China visa-free for 30 days

Citizens from 79 countries can now visit China visa-free, including the UK and Canada.

27 January 2026

Economy

Carney replies to Trump, says Canada not signing China free trade deal

Carney said his recent agreement with China merely cuts tariffs on a few sectors that were hit with levies. The deal had prompted Trump to threaten a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada.

26 January 2026

Economy

Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariff if China deal goes ahead

In his latest social media outburst, US President Donald Trump escalated an intensifying feud with Canada's Mark Carney.

24 January 2026

Japan

Japan's PM dissolves parliament after only three months in office

The move by Sanae Takaichi is an attempt to capitalise on her popularity to help her governing party regain ground after major losses in recent years.

23 January 2026

Economy

Oil vs. rare earths: Which will shape the global economy’s future?

Oil shaped the last century, but rare earths may shape the next. As economies electrify and AI expands, control over critical materials is becoming a new source of global power.

22 January 2026

United Kingdom

China says Britain had 'obligation' to approve London mega embassy

The 20,000-square-metre site is set to become the largest embassy complex in the UK by area and one of the largest in the centre of a Western capital.

21 January 2026

United Kingdom

UK approves massive Chinese embassy in London despite security fears

Opponents have warned of a potential threat to the UK's national security given the site's proximity to London’s two primary financial districts.

20 January 2026

Afghanistan

IS claims attack on Kabul restaurant that killed at least seven

The IS claim included a threat against Chinese nationals in Afghanistan, linking the attack to China's alleged mistreatment of Uyghur Muslims in the western province of Xinjiang.

20 January 2026

Economy

China hits 5% growth goal, but weak demand tells another story

China’s economy grew in line with official targets last year, yet economists warn that reliance on exports may not be enough to sustain growth in 2026.

19 January 2026