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China’s UN envoy Geng Shuang rejected US accusations over the South China Sea during a Security Council debate, calling the US the “biggest threat” to regional peace.

Responding to US Representative Dorothy Shea, Geng stated that the Council is not the appropriate forum for the issue and accused the US of inciting tensions by sending military vessels under the guise of "freedom of navigation", Xinhua reported.

He reaffirmed China's rejection of the 2016 arbitration ruling and emphasized that collaboration with ASEAN members helps to maintain regional peace. Geng also asked the United States to respect the one-China principle. He emphasized China's commitment to peaceful dialogue and international maritime cooperation.

The Russia-China Forum began Monday in Khabarovsk, gathering over 3,000 participants to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.

Dmitry Demeshin, Governor of Russia’s Khabarovsk Territory, highlighted growing collaboration with China in industry, energy, and transportation, describing it as a “bridge of trust and shared prosperity”, Xinhua reported.

Chinese Consul General Jiang Xiaoyang noted Khabarovsk’s key role in regional cooperation.

The forum includes talks on joint projects, such as the development of Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island, and aims to expand trade, investment, and business ties between the two nations, according to Xinhua.

China’s LandSpace successfully launched its methane-powered Zhuque-2E Y2 rocket on Saturday, deploying six satellites into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.

This marks the fifth flight of the Zhuque-2 series. LandSpace, the first company to launch a methane-liquid oxygen rocket in 2023, is focusing on methane for its cost efficiency, lower emissions, and suitability for reusable rockets, Xinhua reported.

The payload, developed mainly by Spacety, included a radar satellite, two multispectral satellites, and three for scientific experiments, weighing 20 to 300 kilograms.

Chinese-made aircraft are ready to promote competition and reduce prices in global aviation, according to International Air Transport Association (IATA) chief Willie Walsh on Tuesday.

Walsh commended Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd.'s (COMAC) modern, efficient jets as viable alternatives to existing fleets during a conference in Nairobi, emphasizing that they largely fly in China and neighboring countries with Chinese certification, according to Xinhua.

The IATA Ground Handling Conference gathered global airline leaders to discuss strategies to boost the aviation ecosystem.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he will urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Turkey.

Speaking in Beijing on Wednesday, Lula stated that he intends to stop in Moscow and encourage Putin to join the meetings in Istanbul on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera.

The talks would be the first direct encounter between Kiev and Moscow since 2022.

Lula's comments come after Ukraine requested that Brazil assist in mediating, as well as a joint statement from Brazil and China backing direct negotiations as the only way to peace, Al Jazeera reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a five-point cooperation plan to strengthen ties with Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries at the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing.

The roadmap includes initiatives on solidarity, development, cultural exchange, peace, and people-to-people connectivity. Xi pledged to link China's Belt and Road Initiative with LAC development objectives, boost imports of high-quality products, and stimulate Chinese investment in the region. He also expressed his support for multilateralism and the UN-centered world system, according to Xinhua.

China plans to grant 3,500 scholarships, 10,000 training opportunities, and expand visa-free entry to five LAC countries in order to strengthen educational and cultural ties. Cooperation in areas like cybersecurity, disaster response, and anti-corruption will be strengthened under the peace initiative.

Leaders from Colombia, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay endorsed the plan, calling for enhanced economic, technological, and infrastructure cooperation, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to sovereignty, development, and global South solidarity, Xinhua reported.

The initiative aims to build a shared future for China and LAC nations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held talks in Beijing on Tuesday, reaffirming their countries strategic partnership and agreeing to deepen cooperation in multiple sectors.

Marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the leaders emphasized advancing a “China-Brazil community with a shared future.” Xi advocated for coordinated development policies and increased collaboration in infrastructure, agriculture, energy, aerospace, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing exchanges in education, culture, and local government, according to Xinhua.

Xi addressed the need of reciprocal support for fundamental interests and urged greater international cooperation to uphold multilateralism, develop global governance, and resist protectionism and unilateralism.

President Lula assured Brazil's commitment to aligning its development program with China's Belt and Road Initiative. He stood for more collaboration in trade, finance, science, and technology. Lula also supported joint initiatives to elevate the voice of the Global South and promote fairness in global development, Xinhua reported.

The leaders witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation agreements in crucial areas such as agriculture, science, digital economy, and media. They also issued joint statements on bilateral cooperation, multilateralism, and the Ukraine crisis.

President Donald Trump has halved tariffs on small packages from China and Hong Kong, following a temporary trade truce between the two nations.

Tariffs on goods worth up to $800 have been reduced from 120 percent to 54 percent, with a $100 flat fee per item retained for shipments after May 2. A planned $200 charge set for June 1 has been cancelled, according to BBC.

The move impacts Chinese e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu, which previously benefited from the now-closed “de minimis” duty-free rule. The shift coincides with a 90-day tariff respite and restarted trade negotiations between the United States and China.

China on Monday released a white paper detailing its national security strategy for the new era, aiming to clarify its security approach and foster international understanding.

The white paper presents a comprehensive framework based on a holistic security paradigm, promoting China as a source of stability in the face of global uncertainty. It focuses on preserving national sovereignty, encouraging high-quality growth, and protecting political and public security, according to Xinhua.

Rooted in Xi Jinping Thought, the strategy prioritizes people’s security, national interests, and political stability. It integrates development with security and highlights reform, innovation, and system modernization as key drivers.

The document also introduces the Global Security Initiative, advocating shared global security, true multilateralism, and a more equitable international security governance framework, Xinhua reported.

China presents its security model as a stabilizing force, contributing to global peace and development while advancing national rejuvenation.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday reported "substantial progress" in U.S. talks with China's top economic officials to de-escalate a damaging trade war, but offered no details of an agreement reached as two days of negotiations wrapped up in Geneva, Reuters reported.

Bessent told reporters that details would be announced on Monday and that U.S. President Donald Trump was fully aware of the results of the "productive talks."

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who participated in the talks with Bessent, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and two Chinese vice ministers, described the conclusion as "a deal we struck with our Chinese partners" that will help reduce the $1.2 trillion U.S. global goods trade deficit.

"And this was, as the Secretary pointed out, a very constructive two days. It's important to understand how quickly we were able to come to agreement, which reflects that perhaps the differences were not so large as maybe thought," Greer said, adding that the Chinese officials were "tough negotiators," according to Reuters.

China's factory-gate prices fell 2.7 percent in April, the steepest drop in six months, while consumer prices fell for the third consecutive month, underscoring mounting deflation risks.

The economic downturn is being driven by low domestic demand, a prolonged housing collapse, and escalating trade tensions with the United States, according to Reuters.

In response, Beijing has announced more stimulus measures, like as rate reduction and liquidity increases. Retail giants such as JD.com and Alibaba's Freshippo are assisting exporters in shifting to the domestic market, however low consumer confidence may keep prices under pressure.

As trade talks start in Switzerland, global banks have downgraded China's GDP forecast to below the official 5 percent target, citing the impact of ongoing economic headwinds, Reuters reported.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent began talks in Geneva on Saturday, aiming to ease escalating trade tensions between the two nations.

The discussion, held privately at the Swiss ambassador's residence, came after weeks of hefty tariff increases that disrupted global trade and stoked recession fears, according to Reuters.

The United States wants China to lower its trade deficit and implement economic reforms, but Beijing wants tariff cuts and more equitable treatment.

Though differences remain, the talks mark a tentative step toward resolution, Reuters reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Friday, emphasizing China's commitment to improving relations with Slovakia and advancing China-EU collaboration. The encounter took place during ceremonies commemorating the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War, which occurred 80 years ago, Xinhua reported.

Xi underlined that China-Slovakia relations are fast improving, emphasizing the continuous execution of agreements from Fico's 2023 visit to China. He advocated for further collaboration in trade, investment, and Belt and Road initiatives, and he welcomed Slovakia's selection as the guest country of honor at the 2018 China-CEEC Expo.

Fico described the strategic partnership with China as a key foreign policy priority and reaffirmed Slovakia’s support for the one-China policy. He expressed strong backing for China’s global initiatives and praised its constructive role on international issues. Slovakia, he said, is committed to working with China to support multilateralism, free trade, and global supply chain stability, as reported by Xinhua.

President Donald Trump has indicated that tariffs on Chinese goods may soon be reduced, ahead of key trade talks between US and Chinese officials in Switzerland, BBC reported.

“You can’t get any higher. It’s at 145, so we know it’s coming down,” he said, alluding to the current import taxes of up to 145% on Chinese products.The negotiations could be a turning point in the ongoing trade battle.

China's Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying voiced confidence in managing trade tensions, although analysts believe both sides are under mounting economic pressure and willing to negotiate a modest de-escalation, as stated by BBC.

Russian President Vladimir Putin led a grand parade in Red Square to commemorate Victory Day, the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's defeat over Nazi Germany.

The event, held under strict security amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, was attended by 27 foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, CNN reported.

Putin addressed troops and international dignitaries, describing Russia's intervention in Ukraine as a continuation of the Soviet fight against fascism. Thousands of soldiers marched alongside new weapons and foreign contingents, including 102 Chinese troops, as Moscow and Beijing's military and political ties strengthened.

Putin and Xi held bilateral discussions ahead of the parade, highlighting their growing partnership. Despite EU reservations, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was the sole EU leader attending. Venezuelan, Serbian, and Vietnamese leaders were also in attendance, according to CNN.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously stated that he could not guarantee the safety of anyone attending the event and encouraged heads of state not to travel to Moscow.

The New York Times reports that President Donald Trump plans on announcing a trade agreement with the United Kingdom on Thursday. It would be the first since his massive tariffs went into force.

Trump teased the agreement on Truth Social on Wednesday, calling it a "MAJOR TRADE DEAL" with a "HIGHLY RESPECTED" country, but did not mention the United Kingdom by name.

The deal's final status is unknown, but it comes amid investor concern about growing trade tensions. The IMF recently lower its global growth prediction for 2025 from 3.3% to 2.8%, citing trade uncertainty, according to The New York Times.

Talks between the United States and China are also scheduled to resume this weekend in Switzerland.