China unveils 15 measures to boost its western provinces, focusing on aviation hubs, ports, and rail links to enhance integration and economic development in the region.
China said on Sunday it would launch 15 measures to bolster the development of its western provinces with the construction of logistical infrastructure such as ports and aviation hubs.
The General Administration of Customs said the measures would enhance the integration of rail, air, river and sea links in China's west, state media reported.
The measures are to include enhancing international aviation hubs in cities including Chengdu, Chongqing, Kunming, Xi'an and Urumqi, while developing comprehensive bonded zones, and integrating these with ports and other transport links.
China has long sought to bolster the economic heft of its western regions, which have markedly lagged coastal provinces. But ethnic tensions in such places a Xinjiang and hard-line security measures Beijing says are needed to safeguard national unity and border stability, have drawn criticism from some Western nations.
China's western regions comprise around two-thirds of the country's land area and include regions such as Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Xinjiang and Tibet.
China's Politburo last year called for a "new urbanisation" of western China to revitalise rural areas, expand poverty alleviation efforts and strengthen energy resources. Efforts have also been made to increase linkages to Europe and South Asia through trade corridors including rail freight routes.
In 2024, China was the EU’s biggest import partner and third-largest export destination, with €213.3 billion in exports and €517.8 billion in imports. This resulted in a €304.5 billion trade deficit, while only Ireland and Luxembourg recorded trade surpluses.
OpenAI on Tuesday introduced a suite of new developer tools designed to streamline the creation of advanced AI agents, signaling a strategic move amid intensifying competition from Chinese AI startups.
Chinese retail investors are increasingly turning to DeepSeek and other artificial intelligence tools to navigate the stock market, marking a significant shift from last year’s government crackdown on computer-driven quantitative trading.
Chinese and Russian warships have entered Iranian territorial waters to participate in the "Security Belt 2025" naval drills in the northern Indian Ocean which is set to begin today.
More than 20 cities across China, including technological and industrial hubs like Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, have introduced new plans to accelerate the development of embodied intelligence.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed in principle to a 30-day ceasefire proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at reducing hostilities in Ukraine. While the ceasefire presents a potential opportunity for peace talks and humanitarian aid, the terms are still under negotiation.
A U.S. judge has directed Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to provide records and answer questions about their federal spending reduction efforts. The order stems from a lawsuit filed by 14 Democratic state attorneys general, alleging constitutional violations by Musk.
Foreign ministers from the world’s leading democracies meet in Canada to navigate rising tensions with the U.S., as Trump’s policies on Ukraine, tariffs, and Russia spark divisions. Diplomats seek common ground while confronting Washington's unpredictability.
The UK has withdrawn accreditation for a Russian diplomat and a diplomatic spouse, requiring them to leave the country, following the expulsion of two British officials from Russia on Monday.
The EU Commission is set to propose key defense projects to boost Europe’s military capabilities, as outlined in a draft white paper, aiming to strengthen cooperation among member states.
Italy’s League party urges the government to favour Starlink over French-led Eutelsat for satellite communication systems, citing Starlink's technological edge. The push comes amid delays in the EU’s IRIS² program, as Italy seeks secure communication solutions for officials.
XPeng Motors plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, becoming the first company globally to do so. CEO He Xiaopeng also highlighted advancements in autonomous driving and humanoid robotics as part of the company’s future tech initiatives.
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is set to condemn Trump’s Gaza “Riviera” plan, backing Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction proposal. A classified draft resolution, rejects the relocation of Gazans, calls for urgent international support, and mobilises opposition to the U.S. stance.
In Tuesday’s closely watched parliamentary election, Greenland’s pro-business opposition Demokraatit party took a commanding lead after over 90% of the ballots were counted.
Türkiye’s state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation signed a joint venture agreement with U.S. oil giants Continental Resources and TransAtlantic Petroleum, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced.
The Bank of Canada trimmed its key policy rate by 25 basis points on Wednesday, lowering it to 2.75%, as concerns mount over inflationary pressures and weaker economic growth driven by renewed trade uncertainties and tariff threats.
Canada will introduce $29.8 billion in retaliatory tariffs in response to the U.S. decision to impose 25% duties on steel and aluminium imports. The move follows similar action by the EU, escalating trade tensions with Washington.
The European Union will impose counter tariffs on 26 billion euros ($28 billion) worth of U.S. goods from next month, the European Commission said on Wednesday, ramping up a global trade war in response to blanket U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium.
The European Commission has raised €9 billion of EU-Bonds in its 3rd syndicated transaction for 2025.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed in principle to a 30-day ceasefire proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at reducing hostilities in Ukraine. While the ceasefire presents a potential opportunity for peace talks and humanitarian aid, the terms are still under negotiation.
A U.S. judge has directed Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to provide records and answer questions about their federal spending reduction efforts. The order stems from a lawsuit filed by 14 Democratic state attorneys general, alleging constitutional violations by Musk.
Foreign ministers from the world’s leading democracies meet in Canada to navigate rising tensions with the U.S., as Trump’s policies on Ukraine, tariffs, and Russia spark divisions. Diplomats seek common ground while confronting Washington's unpredictability.
The UK has withdrawn accreditation for a Russian diplomat and a diplomatic spouse, requiring them to leave the country, following the expulsion of two British officials from Russia on Monday.
The EU Commission is set to propose key defense projects to boost Europe’s military capabilities, as outlined in a draft white paper, aiming to strengthen cooperation among member states.
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