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Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Russia from May 7 to 10 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat, the Kremlin has announced. He will meet with President Vladimir Putin to strengthen strategic ties and sign bilateral agreements, Reuters reported.

Leaders from Brazil, Serbia, and Slovakia are also expected. Putin suggested a three-day ceasefire with Ukraine around May 9 Victory Day, but Ukrainian President Zelensky insisted on a 30-day truce, citing security concerns for visiting dignitaries. Zelensky also accused China of sending weapons to Russia, as stated by Reuters.

In a state media documentary, Putin hailed ties with China as "deep-seated" and "truly strategic".

TikTok was fined €530m ($600m) by Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) for failing to adequately safeguard EU users' personal data, Reuters reported.

The regulator said that the platform, controlled by China's ByteDance, failed to verify that data accessed remotely by Chinese employees followed EU privacy laws. TikTok was also ordered to halt data transfers to China unless it completes full compliance within six months,

The DPC criticized TikTok for not addressing potential access by Chinese authorities under national laws that conflict with EU regulations. Although TikTok claimed it used EU-approved safeguards and has introduced new data protection measures, the DPC said recent disclosures revealed some EU data was stored in China earlier this year, according to Reuters.

This is TikTok’s second major fine by the DPC, following a €345m penalty in 2023 over the mishandling of children’s personal data.

China has lifted sanctions on numerous European Parliament members and its human rights subcommittee, Parliament President Roberta Metsola revealed on Wednesday. The move tries to mend relations with the EU amid rising trade tensions with the United States, Reuters reported.

Beijing implemented the sanctions in 2021 in response to EU criticism of its treatment of Uyghur Muslims. The measures prohibited access into China and restricted economic transactions.
Metsola praised the decision, emphasizing the need of free dialogue. China's foreign ministry advocated for greater legislative connections and increased EU visits, as stated by Reuters.

Reinhard Butikofer, a former German MEP, remains sanctioned. He praised the development but condemned the persistent limitations on six members of civil society and think tanks.

Somalia has banned the entry and transit of Taiwanese passport holders, a move Taiwan says was made under Chinese pressure. The ban, announced by Somalia’s civil aviation authority, took effect Wednesday, according to Al Jazeera.

Taiwan slammed the decision, accusing Somalia of utilizing the UN's 1971 Resolution 2758 and the "one China" principle to falsely claim Taiwan as part of China.

The action comes amid strengthening connections between Taiwan and Somaliland, a breakaway province claimed by Somalia. Both opened representative offices in 2020, which infuriated Mogadishu.

China applauded Somalia's action, describing it as a reaffirmation of the one China concept. Taiwan, on the other hand, said that the restriction would have little impact, citing only 16 Taiwanese travels to Somalia since 2016, Al Jazeera reported

China has begun quietly notifying select companies about exemptions from its 125% tariffs on certain US-made goods. The move comes as Beijing strives to mitigate the domestic effect of its protracted trade disputes with Washington, Reuters reported.

Although China has previously issued waivers for products such as pharmaceuticals, microchips, and aviation engines, the existence of a broader "whitelist" of exempted commodities has not been made public until now.

Local authorities are contacting companies individually to advise them that specific product classifications may be spared from tariffs.

In addition, Reuters claimed that China has recently waived tariffs on US ethane imports, following industry requests for exemptions due to the lack of alternative suppliers.

China’s commerce and customs ministries have not commented on the reported exemptions.

At least 22 people have been killed and three others injured in a fire at a restaurant in China’s northern city of Liaoyang, Chinese authorities said.l, Aljazeera reported.

Authorities did not provide details on what caused the blaze, which broke out shortly after noon local time (04:25 GMT) on Tuesday.

But images from the scene showed huge flames spurting from the windows and doors of the multi-storey building in Liaoyang, about 580km (360 miles) northeast of the capital Beijing.

“The incident has resulted in 22 deaths and three injuries,” state broadcaster CCTV said, according to Aljazeera.

The leaders of Japan and the Philippines have pledged to deepen their security ties, including increased intelligence sharing, as they grapple with territorial disputes with China, Aljazeera reported.

On his first visit to the Philippines since assuming office in October, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Tuesday that the two countries oppose “attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea by force or coercion”.

Speaking after talks with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr in Manila, Ishiba said the two leaders agreed to begin negotiations on a defence pact formally known as the Acquisition and Cross-servicing Agreement.

The deal would allow the provision of food, fuel and other necessities when Japanese forces visit the Philippines for joint training under a major defence accord that was signed last year and is expected to be ratified by the Japanese legislature. The Philippine Senate ratified it in December, according to Aljazeera.

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI service, has resumed availability in South Korean app stores following a two-month suspension due to data protection concerns.

South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) halted downloads in February after it was discovered that DeepSeek transferred user data without permission when the site first launched in January, according to Reuters.

DeepSeek is now available for download on platforms such as the Apple App Store and Google Play after being updated with its privacy policy. The company guarantees compliance with South Korean data privacy rules and allows customers to opt out of sharing personal information to entities in China and the United States.

The app's return follows DeepSeek's voluntary adjustments, which partially addressed the PIPC's recommendations, Reuters reported.

At a recent business forum in Beijing, global leaders anticipated a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but many were impressed by Vice Premier He Lifeng. As Xi’s chief economic lieutenant, He has become a central figure in Sino-American trade talks, Reuters reported.

He, who oversees China’s economy and financial sector, is seen as crucial in addressing ongoing trade tensions, particularly after the US imposed 145% tariffs under President Trump.

Once viewed as a rigid Communist Party official, He has gained recognition for his growing confidence and effectiveness in negotiations, holding over 60 meetings with foreign officials since March 2023, as stated by Reuters.

China has exempted several US goods from retaliatory tariffs despite the persistent tensions, but Beijing still demands that Washington stop its "extreme pressure" strategy.

China’s coastguard has seized Sandy Cay, a small sandbank in the Spratly Islands. CCTV showed officers raising the Chinese flag on the reef earlier in April, asserting control over the area, BBC reported.

In response, the Philippines, which also claims the reef, posted a similar photo of its police waving the flag and landed security guards on neighboring sandbanks. It's still unclear which sandbanks were involved.

China's "illegal presence" close to the sandbanks was denounced by the Philippine National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, which also reported seeing seven militia vessels and a coastguard ship, according to BBC.

While China has not established permanent occupancy of Sandy Cay, the incident adds to the region's extending tensions, which have resulted in frequent clashes. The White House expressed alarm over China's actions, as the dispute continues with rival claims from many countries.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, which murdered 26 civilians, but sources suggest Pakistan and China colluded to weaken the official statement.

Unlike the UNSC's 2019 Pulwama statement, which called for cooperation with the "Government of India," the most recent version just mentions "all relevant authorities." According to The Times of India, Pakistan, with China's support, pushed for the softer expression to avoid India taking the lead in the inquiry.

Pakistan, a non-permanent UNSC member, also issued a separate statement expressing “concern” but stopped short of condemning the attack. Islamabad is now demanding for a "independent" investigation, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed support for a neutral investigation.

The US initially proposed a stronger draft, but tough negotiations led to a diluted final version. The move has raised fresh concerns in New Delhi as it tries to manage its uneasy ties with Beijing, The Times of India reported.

Apple plans to assemble most iPhones sold in the US in India by the end of 2026, reducing its dependence on China amid ongoing trade tensions. The move would double its current Indian output, as stated by Reuters.

The company is in talks with manufacturers such as Foxconn and Tata Group to expand its operations. In March, Apple exported $2bn worth of iPhones from India to the United States, marking a record shipment.

India's push to become a global manufacturing hub, which includes recent tax cuts on mobile components, has contributed to Apple's expansion, Reuters reported.

Currently, India accounts for only 20% of worldwide iPhone production.

China has allowed scientists from six countries, including the United States, to study lunar samples collected during its Chang’e-5 mission in 2020, BBC claimed.

Two NASA-funded US institutions were granted access, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), which described the samples as a “shared treasure for all humanity.”

NASA is prohibited from collaborating with China without Congressional consent, as per a 2011 US law, preventing Chinese scientists from accessing US Moon materials.

John Logsdon, former director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, stated that researching lunar rocks has no military relevance and is consistent with international scientific collaboration rules, according to BBC.

Experts say the move is driven by scientific interest rather than politics.

China’s top leadership has pledged support for firms and workers affected by steep US tariffs, state media reported following a Politburo meeting. Measures include financial aid, expanded unemployment insurance access, and job stabilization efforts, according to Xinhua.

The government also intends to ease monetary policy by reducing interest rates and reserve requirements on a timely basis. Other approaches include encouraging local demand, particularly in services, and integrating domestic and international trade.

Despite 5.4 percent GDP growth in Q1, the Politburo warned of rising external risks and urged worst-case scenario planning to ensure economic stability, Xinhua reported.

Meanwhile, US President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have adopted a more conciliatory tone, signaling a potential de-escalation in trade tensions.

China has urged the United States to lift its extensive tariffs on Chinese goods as a sign of President Trump's commitment to settling the current trade war, BBC reported.

A Chinese official confirmed that no trade conversations had taken place, contradicting allegations by the Trump administration to the contrary.

As stated by BBC, the trade war continues to escalate, with China recently returning US-made Boeing aircraft in response to American tariffs.However, President Trump signaled a potential shift in tone, indicating that the imposed tariffs could be significantly reduced, though not eliminated entirely.

South Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission found DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, guilty of sending user data and AI prompt content without consent, Reuters reported.

During its first launch in January, the company allegedly transferred personal information to companies in China and the United States, including Beijing Volcano Engine Technology Co. Ltd., without user consent.

The commission uncovered DeepSeek also shared device, network, and app information, which violated local data protection standards. Although the company later stated that the transfers were designed to improve the user experience, it discontinued sharing prompt content on April 10, according to Reuters.

As a result, the agency issued an appropriate recommendation, directing DeepSeek to remove previously exported AI prompt data and provide a legal framework for future cross-border data transfers.