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The Trump administration will begin revoking visas of Chinese students with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying in sensitive academic fields, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced.

Visa criteria will also be revised to increase scrutiny of future applicants from China and Hong Kong. US embassies have been instructed to suspend student visa appointments as expanded social media vetting is implemented, according to BBC.

Last year, around 280,000 Chinese students enrolled in US colleges. Their numbers have dropped due to strained US-China relations and tighter immigration policies.

The administration has already canceled thousands of student visas and halted funding at numerous universities. Many international students are now expressing concern and regret about studying in the United States under these new restrictions, BBC reported.

ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and China conducted their first trilateral meeting in Malaysia, where they agreed to boost economic ties and promote free trade.

In a joint statement, the three countries pledged to complete the GCC-China Free Trade Agreement and upgrade the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area to benefit their respective populations, according to Al Jazeera.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the combined GDP of the three blocs is $24.87trn, with a population of 2.15bn, offering vast potential for investment and innovation. He stressed ASEAN’s commitment to balanced ties with all major powers, including the US.

Experts noted the meeting highlighted China’s growing role as a global power, particularly in forums where the US is absent, Al Jazeera reported.

North Korea has strongly condemned the United States' planned "Golden Dome" missile defense system, claiming it is a step toward the militarization of space. The system, revealed by US President Donald Trump, is designed to guard against advanced ballistic and cruise missile threats.

Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, released a statement through its foreign ministry warning that the plan might spark a nuclear and space weapons race. China's foreign ministry in Beijing also slammed the idea, claiming it jeopardizes global strategic stability, BBC reported.

Analysts in Seoul say the system could undermine North Korea’s deterrence. Initial funding is $25bn, with long-term costs expected to rise.

Chinese authorities in Guangzhou have accused Taiwan’s government of supporting a cyberattack on a local technology company. In a statement released Tuesday, officials claimed a foreign hacker group, backed by Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), was behind the attack, Reuters reported.

The accusation is based on an initial police investigation. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council has not yet responded to the allegations

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday expressed China’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with Kuwait in areas such as energy, investment, green economy, digital economy, and artificial intelligence. He made the remarks during a meeting with Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, according to Xinhua.

The meeting took place as Premier Li arrived in Kuala Lumpur to attend the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.

Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno on Friday inaugurated the Marshal Idriss Deby Itno Olympic Stadium, a 30,000-seat facility in the capital, constructed and donated by China.

China's Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group built the country's largest stadium, which was officially handed over to Chad on May 12. President Deby commended the initiative as a symbol of strong Sino-Chadian collaboration, founded on mutual respect and common vision, as reported by Xinhua.

Chinese Ambassador Wang Xining described the stadium as a testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations, expressing hope it will boost Chad’s presence on the international sports stage.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Jakarta on Saturday for an official visit to Indonesia at President Prabowo Subianto's invitation.

Following his visit to Indonesia, Premier Li is scheduled to travel to Malaysia, where he will attend the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur from May 26 to 28, Xinhua reported.

China launched the Lijian-1 Y7 carrier rocket on Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. Beijing Time. The launch took place in Dongfeng's commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China.

The rocket carried six satellites, which were successfully put in their allotted orbits. This mission is the sixth in the Lijian-1 rocket series, Xinhua reported.

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.