Air China launched a new direct flight route between Beijing Daxing International Airport and Milan on June 13. This is the first regular direct flight from Daxing Airport to Italy, enhancing air connectivity between China and Europe. The route, CA749/750, will operate daily, significantly reducing travel time and costs for passengers and facilitating bilateral economic cooperation.
Beijing's Tiantan Museum officially opened on June 13, marking the completion of dedicated museums for all 8 of the city's World Heritage sites. A new digital monitoring platform was also launched to enhance heritage protection.
The 2026 Beijing White Pagoda Cultural Week opened on June 13, focusing on the Nepalese artisan Anige, the creator of the White Pagoda. The event features a special exhibition, cultural lectures, educational activities, and a Nepalese cultural market, aiming to strengthen Sino-Nepalese ties.
The price of high-purity tungsten hexafluoride has surged over 200% year-on-year to over 1,700 yuan ($251) per kg due to supply bottlenecks and rising demand from the semiconductor industry. Japanese producers Showa Denko Kanto and Central Glass plan production suspensions in July, potentially disrupting supply to major chipmakers like Samsung Electronics.
Beijing's real estate market is piloting a new 'Sincere Sale' model to address the lengthy and uncertain process of selling pre-owned homes. This model requires both buyers and sellers to deposit 50,000 yuan, aiming to increase transaction certainty and efficiency by moving price negotiations online with clear pricing tiers and a deposit-backed commitment.
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) expressed regret over opposition party members echoing Beijing's narrative at the Straits Forum. MAC stated that Beijing's refusal to acknowledge Taiwan's existence and its 'fake integration, real pressure' strategy hinder cross-strait communication and unification talks.
Beijing's top Taiwan affairs official, Wang Huning, stated that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait require a "joint answer" from people on both sides. He noted the complex and severe situation, particularly since Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te took office, while acknowledging enthusiastic participation from Taiwan despite official bans.
Taiwan's opposition leader, Cheng Li-wun, visited Washington to advocate for peace with China by removing permanent secession from the table, while emphasizing the island's commitment to defense. She met with US lawmakers and Trump administration representatives, aiming to promote dialogue amid rising cross-strait tensions.
Lenovo technology is central to managing the 2026 FIFA World Cup across North America, highlighting the deep integration of Chinese companies in global commerce despite US-China geopolitical tensions. The event is a major commercial platform for global brands.
China's bid for direct access to the Sea of Japan via the Tumen River faces continued wariness from North Korea and Russia, despite recent positive signs from Moscow. Analysts suggest the silence in post-summit statements reflects concerns over Beijing's regional influence.
A veteran US diplomat, Richard Haass, urged the US and China to hold regular high-level meetings and deepen cooperation on emerging technologies like AI. He emphasized the need for transparency to prevent a downturn in relations and suggested institutionalizing diplomatic interactions.
China's sanctions on the family of Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. have sparked debate in Manila over potential retaliation. Analysts suggest it's a warning to deter critics, while figures like retired Justice Antonio Carpio advocate for a "tit-for-tat" response, banning China's defence minister and his family.
Kim Jong Un leveraged his "indispensable" position with Xi Jinping, highlighting North Korea's nuclear status as a "stabilizing factor" in the Asia-Pacific, contrasting with Western narratives and Israel's regional impact.
China's AI sector is not experiencing the same economic boost as the US, facing significant challenges including restricted access to crucial chips, according to Nomura's chief China economist Lu Ting. He highlighted the US's well-developed capital markets and greater ease in raising funds for AI companies, contrasting it with China's difficulties in acquiring necessary technology due to international restrictions.
China has detained a Myanmar citizen, Min Zin, on suspicion of espionage and endangering national security. The US consulate in Guangzhou has been notified. This comes as Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing is set to visit China next week.
Beijing's 18th Straits Forum, a platform for cross-strait engagement, is being held in Xiamen amid tightened restrictions by Taiwan's ruling DPP. For the first time, the DPP has explicitly banned Taiwan's municipal and county government officials from participating.
Chinese authorities have arrested US scholar Min Zin, who writes on Myanmar and Chinese foreign policy, on suspicion of espionage. Min Zin, a former student activist who sought asylum in the US, was last seen on June 3 in Kunming, China. The arrest is uncommon for US citizens and occurs amid efforts to reset US-China relations.
China's foreign ministry confirmed ongoing "communications on the relevant dialogue" with the EU. EU sources indicated meetings were postponed, not as retaliation by Beijing, amid Chinese academic Guo Mingxu's criticism of Brussels blaming China for its own failures.
China's Ministry of State Security claims foreign spy agencies are using turtles and fish fitted with sensors to map its coastline and collect sensitive marine data. Beijing alleges this data could identify weaknesses in coastal defenses, posing a national security threat. The ministry urged security checks on foreign equipment and for fishers to report unusual findings.
Philippine President Marcos is set to attend the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan from June 17-18, marking his first visit to Russia since taking office. The trip will be closely monitored by Washington and Beijing for potential outcomes on energy, sanctions-sensitive sectors, and broader strategic cooperation with Moscow.
Central Asia's five nations, initially overlooked recipients of Chinese investment, are now gaining economic and geopolitical traction due to BRI and global shifts. Once poor Soviet-era states, they are becoming more prosperous and strategically significant.
A Chinese academic argues that EU tech sovereignty in artificial intelligence may be an illusion in a world dominated by the US and China. The article says Beijing should use the current moment to make Chinese products indispensable to middle powers.
A Chinese expert argues that EU tech sovereignty is an illusion in an AI world dominated by the US and China. The expert urges Beijing to make its products indispensable to middle powers during Donald Trump's second term, as countries like Canada, Japan, South Korea, and India strengthen their AI autonomy amid the US-China AI battle.
A new Bank of China white paper reveals over 95% of overseas companies plan to maintain or increase cross-border yuan settlements, with a significant drop in those expecting a decline. The report also indicates a five-year high in yuan asset holdings by foreign firms.
