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SCMP

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. Takeaways from Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun’s speech at Xiangshan Forum
As China hosts its annual defence conference, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Defence Minister Dong Jun outlined the country’s priorities and aims.
2. US Fed cuts rates for first time in 2025 amid pressure from Trump, weaker job outlook
The US Federal Reserve has announced that it will cut interest rates by a quarter of 1 percentage point in a widely anticipated move. The US central bank also expects two more quarter-point cuts this year.
3. China’s job market woes deepen as youth unemployment hits record since 2023

China’s urban youth unemployment rate rose last month to the highest level since the data set was adjusted in 2023, as career prospects for young people have weakened amid an economic slowdown.
4. China pushes for closer Southeast Asia trade links as it fends off US pressure
Vice-President Han Zheng urged China and Southeast Asia to deepen their strategic alignment on Wednesday, as Beijing pushes to upgrade its free trade area agreement with the region amid the US trade war.
5. Ex-Ecuador president calls bribery case over belt and road dam a ‘farce’

Former Ecuadorian president Lenin Moreno denounced bribery charges that prosecutors say link him and his family to US$76 million in payments from a Chinese state builder that managed part of one of the projects in Beijing’s global Belt and Road Initiative.
6. South Korea should join China as bulwark against ‘rampant’ bullying: Wang Yi
China has urged South Korea to join it in defending free trade against “rampant” unilateral bullying amid the bitter trade war with the United States.
7. EU, China parliaments aim to hold their first talks in 7 years on October 16

The first official meeting between the European Parliament and China’s National People’s Congress for seven years is slated for October 16, confirming a continued thaw in relations between the two chambers.


Shanghai’s changing expats, Hong Kong trail sign fallout: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Exhibition on gardens of China, Europe; art director’s top spots: 7 Lifestyle highlights

China builds world’s first ‘coal battery’, war on Alzheimer’s: 7 science highlights

UAE’s Opec exit, why Japan shared Mogami warship design with India: 7 Asia highlights

SCMP Highlights

Chinese defence minister’s speech, US Fed cuts rates: SCMP daily highlights

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun looks on during Beijing Xiangshan Forum on September 18. Photo: Reuters


Students attend a jobs fair in China’s eastern Anhui province. China’s youth unemployment rate soared to 18.9 per cent last month as millions of fresh graduates entered the job market. Photo: Getty Images

Former Ecuadoran president Lenin Moreno Garces in 2022. Photo: AFP

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, who worked to achieve last year’s detente in China-EU relations. Photo: AFP

China’s defence minister warns against Western ‘bullying’, rallies regional allies

Calls by Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun to resist hegemonism and protectionism appeared to resonate with defence chiefs from Southeast Asia, as they took turns criticising unilateral actions, including US tariffs. Photo: Reuters

Vietnamese Defence Minister General Phan Van Giang is one of the speakers at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum this year. Photo: Reuters 

Southeast Asian visitors power growth in visa-free arrivals in China

More travellers to China are taking advantage of visa-free arrangements. Photo: Xinhua

China’s AI weapons warning; what Trump’s Beijing trip may hinge on: SCMP daily highlights

China says it is concerned about “non-experts” amassing enough knowledge to build their own “nuclear, biological, chemical and missile weapons”. Photo: EPA-EFE



Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in 2017 during a meeting outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Negotiations aimed at confirming a state visit to China by Trump appeared to be at a “very advanced stage”, a source has told the Post. Photo: AP


An aerial drone captures the first-stage propulsion system test for the Tianlong-3 rocket conducted at an offshore launch pad in Shandong province, eastern China on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

Crowds of tourists throng the Bund in central Shanghai during the May Day public holiday earlier this year. China’s travel sector is seeing a strong uptick in demand as consumers increasingly prioritise spending on services and cultural experiences. Photo: Reuters

Archaeologists believe ancient remains found at sites across southern China and neighbouring countries provide evidence of mummification. Photo: Handout

News

China

From China’s job market woes to the US Fed cutting interest rates, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage


From China’s job market woes to the US Fed cutting interest rates, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.


Chinese defence minister’s speech, US Fed cuts rates: SCMP daily highlights

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From China’s job market woes to the US Fed cutting interest rates, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage

1. Takeaways from Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun’s speech at Xiangshan Forum

From China’s job market woes to the US Fed cutting interest rates, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage