China’s own planetwide ‘Golden Dome’, Xi’s religion law call: SCMP daily highlights

From Beijing’s global defence system to China’s factory contraction and fears over Taiwan chips, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage

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China has unveiled its own prototype for a global defence system akin to US President Donald Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome”. Artist’s illustration. Image: Shutterstock

Published: 9:15pm, 30 Sep 2025Updated: 10:27pm, 30 Sep 2025

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. China deploys prototype of missile defence system with planet-wide coverage

China has deployed a working prototype of a global defence system similar to the United States’ proposed Golden Dome, while hailing a breakthrough in data processing technology for worldwide threat management, according to scientists involved in the project.

2. Top battery scientist Stefano Passerini relocates from Germany to China

World-leading battery scientist Stefano Passerini has taken up a full-time position at Nanjing Normal University in eastern China.

3. Religion must align with law for ethnic and social harmony in China, Xi says

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who recently visited Tibet and Xinjiang autonomous regions, has called for China’s religious leaders to be better “guided” to embody Chinese characteristics in religious doctrines, rules, management systems, rituals and customs. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for further enactment of law and regulation, as well as stricter law enforcement, in religious affairs in a push to Sinicise religions in the country, according to state media.

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