Two Japanese employees working at the China branches of major Japanese heavy electrical machinery giants were caught red-handed at Dalian Customs, suspected of concealing dysprosium and terbium—heavy rare earths used in high-end military applications—inside large machinery to smuggle them out of the country.
On May 19, 2026, the High Court of Hong Kong concluded the closing arguments proceedings in the case of former Hong Kong Alliance leaders Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan, who were charged with incitement to subvert state power, and the judge announced that the ruling on the facts of the case was expected to be formally announced in mid-to-late July of the same year.
While accompanying Xi Jinping in meeting U.S. officials, Trump exchanged glances with the officials and raised his eyebrows at Defense Secretary Hegseth, who had just shaken hands with Xi Jinping. Footage of the scene has surfaced.