Good Morning. Welcome to The Wire’s daily news roundup. Each day, our staff gathers the top China business, finance, and economics headlines from a selection of the world’s leading news organizations.
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The Wall Street Journal
- A Promising U.S. Healthcare Startup Battles for Survival Against Its Chinese Investor — Lawmakers worry China could gain control of the technology in a familiar pattern.
- Li Auto Swings to Loss on Sharply Lower Sales — It expects to deliver between 100,000 and 110,000 vehicles in the fourth quarter, down by about one-third from a year earlier.
The Financial Times
- China leapfrogs U.S. in global market for ‘open’ AI models — Beijing-backed technology gains ground as American giants hold fast to ‘closed’ AI strategies.
- Fall in Chinese investment suggests Xi Jinping’s ‘anti-involution’ drive is biting — If data proves accurate then decline in flow of funds into fixed assets will make growth targets harder to hit.
- Opinion: China is making trade impossible — Europe has nothing to offer and difficult decisions to make. By Robin Harding.
- Opinion: The fracturing of the world economy — Will the U.S. or China abandon their current follies sooner? By Martin Wolf.
The New York Times
- Spat With China Becomes an Asset for Japan’s New Leader — Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is not backing off from comments about Taiwan that enraged China. Many of Japan’s voters like her stance.
- Taiwan’s President to Seek an Extra $40 Billion for Military — President Lai Ching-te says the spending, which must be approved by the island’s legislature, would fund purchases of arms from the United States.
Caixin
- China’s Ambitious Elder-Care Plan Awaits a Practical Framework — The legal framework for voluntary guardianship is in place, but the system is grappling with cultural hesitation from seniors and high legal risks for potential care providers.
- Huawei Slashes Flagship Phone Price Amid Slowing Shipments — Tech giant launches new Mate 80 for 800 yuan less than its predecessor, as third-quarter data shows sales declining.
- China Appoints Legal Scholar to Lead State Secrets Agency — The appointment of Song Gongde signals a shift toward formalizing legal frameworks for national security, replacing a predecessor with a background in cryptography.
South China Morning Post
- Sour grapes? European wines left on the shelf as China chases cheaper tipples — Chinese drinkers are spending less amid an economic slowdown, diluting the profits of Europe’s fine wine producers.
- Why Europe’s top nuclear minds are turning to China to deliver first fusion breakthrough — Frustrated by Western delays, top scientists have joined China’s BEST fusion project as it nears ‘uncharted territory.’
- China’s private defence companies see opportunities amid growing global conflicts — Ukraine war and Kashmir conflict highlight ‘broad stage’ for firms to meet demand for affordable and reliable equipment, insiders say.
- Chinese civilian firm enters mass production of Mach 7 hypersonic missiles — Beijing-based Lingkong Tianxing Technology releases video showing the YKJ-1000 striking a target in a desert testing range.
Nikkei Asia
- China’s long-term yields sink below Japan’s for first time — World’s No. 2 economy shows signs of falling into deflationary spiral.
- China Railway’s dynamic pricing spurs discounts as large as 60% — Demand-based fares offered on 130 high-speed lines nationwide.
- Inside one U.S. company’s attempt to shake China’s grip on graphite — Critical mineral used in EV batteries is among the targets in Washington’s push for self-reliance.
- Japan Inc. learns to become less reliant on China — Heightened business risks and falling market shares lead to diversification.
- WeRide CEO bullish on growth beyond China and outpacing self-driving rivals — Tony Han confident his company will break even in the ‘near future.’
Bloomberg
- TikTok Shop Pushes Into Luxury Retail With $11,000 Handbags — The emergence of high-end luxury goods on TikTok Shop is a sign of the company’s evolving e-commerce ambitions.
- U.S.-China Tension Fuels Decoupling in Tech Research, Study Shows — The retreat comes at a time when China now generates almost 40% of global research output and dominates most critical technologies.
Reuters
- Exclusive: AliExpress bans Chinese sex doll seller after Reuters investigation — Reuters identified four listings of dolls resembling minors that were on sale in Europe and the United States through AliExpress.
- Exclusive: China buys at least 10 U.S. soybean cargoes in new deals after Trump-Xi call, sources say — The purchases of the unusually large volumes extend a surge in Chinese buying after the recent thaw in U.S.-China trade relations.
- Exclusive: China’s GWM targets 300,000 annual production with first Europe car plant — Chinese automakers are increasingly looking to expand overseas as a way of escaping a brutal, prolonged price war touched off by domestic overcapacity.
- How sanctions made a showpiece Chinese refinery’s Western partners run for the exits — They have taken some of the shine off China’s newest refinery project, limited its crude sourcing and forced it to turn inward.
- China Vanke bonds slump as investors fret about restructure risks — A possible restructuring of its debt reignited doubts about further government support for the crisis-hit property sector.
Other Publications
- POLITICO: Why Republican lawmakers are split over banning Chinese drones — Many Republicans fear the Chinese-made product is a major threat to national security.
- The Information: China Is Slowly but Surely Breaking Free From Nvidia — ByteDance bought more Nvidia chips than any other Chinese company in 2025, sources said.
- Foreign Policy: The United States Is Moving Through the Stages of Grief Over China’s Rise — The Trump-Xi agreement may be a sign the U.S. position is shifting.
