Russia launched airstrikes on Ukraine from the night of September 17 to the early morning of September 18, hitting Zhytomyr, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa, resulting in three deaths, multiple injuries, and several fires. Meanwhile, voting began on Friday for the first State Duma parliamentary elections since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Min Zin, director of a Myanmar think tank, was arrested in June while attending an academic conference in Kunming, charged with espionage and endangering state security. His wife, Sylvia, testified before the U.S. Congress on September 17, calling on Trump to secure her husband's release during his meeting with Xi Jinping next week.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to hold talks at the White House on September 24. This will be the second face-to-face meeting between the two heads of state this year, drawing attention from bipartisan lawmakers in Congress regarding national security, trade, human rights, Iran, and other issues.
On September 17, Reuters cited sources reporting that, at the request of Saudi Arabia, China privately asked Iran to use its influence to restrain Yemen's Houthi armed forces to prevent their military operations from threatening the Red Sea energy transportation corridor. Iran responded that regional stability depends on US and Israeli policies, and it remains unclear whether Iran will take action.
On September 16, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated in an interview with Japan's NHK in Kyiv that China has not remained neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war, and that Chinese-made components are present in the missiles and drones used by the Russian military. Zelenskyy believes that China has massive influence over Russia, yet has seen no pressure from the Chinese side to end the war, and expressed regret that China has not politically stood on Ukraine's side.
On September 18, while the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources government vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat was carrying out a mission in the waters off Palawan, it was rammed by China Coast Guard ship 21585, resulting in damage to the Philippine ship's starboard side. The Philippine side accused China of a deliberate collision, while the Chinese side claimed the Philippine vessel made an illegal diagonal cut causing a scrape, and insisted its own operation was lawful.
On September 14, the US Department of Justice accused two Hong Kong-registered companies, Blessed Trust and Hexa Whale, of using Binance accounts to launder money for the Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The case involves over $1.5 billion in Iranian oil proceeds, and the US has filed to seize $61 million in previously frozen cryptocurrency assets.
On September 15, Tahir Imin, founder of the Uyghur Times, testified at a U.S. Congressional hearing, revealing that the media outlet had been subjected to massive traffic attacks and harassment by spoofed websites. An Anthropic report indicated that actors used Claude AI to orchestrate smear campaigns and reporting against the outlet's journalists, and exploited the vulnerabilities of the families of Uyghurs living abroad to issue threats.
On September 18, 2024, a 10-year-old Japanese boy was fatally stabbed outside the Shenzhen Japanese School. On the second anniversary of the incident, local authorities have increased police presence, while the school has implemented measures such as suspending classes and banning Japanese-style school bags. Japanese residents in China remain deeply concerned about their safety.
On September 17, U.S. President Trump signed a document designating China as the world's largest producer of synthetic drug precursor chemicals, demanding that Beijing expand the scope of controlled substances and prosecute raw material suppliers in order to curb the outflow of fentanyl ahead of the Xi-Trump summit on September 24.
An extreme violent incident, reportedly committed by a group, took place in Guangdong, where the attackers randomly targeted the eyes of pedestrians on the street. The incident has sparked immense local panic and raised societal concerns over retaliatory attacks against society amid current extreme social pressures.
On the morning of September 18, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te visited Pingtung to inspect the joint precision missile live-fire exercise of the three armed forces. The three-day drill covers both domestically produced and U.S.-made missiles and rockets, and for the first time, includes attack drones. During this period, China dispatched military aircraft, drones, and naval vessels to operate around Taiwan.
On September 18, the United States officially signed the Graham Act, comprehensively strengthening sanctions against Russia, extending relevant sanctions against Iran, and clarifying that secondary tariffs of up to 100% can be imposed on third countries importing Russian oil and natural gas, which prompted a response of opposition from the Ministry of Commerce of China.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te inspected a joint land‑sea‑air missile drill that included drones, stressing that the combined use of unmanned platforms and conventional weapons is a response to modern warfare and demonstrating the armed forces' confidence in defending the homeland.
On September 18, on the eve of the US-China summit, the US signed the Graham Act, authorizing tariffs of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian oil and natural gas.
On September 17, it was circulated online that the Justice Bureau of Puan County, Guizhou Province, issued a notice requiring local lawyers, when handling cases related to cracking down on organized crime, to report to the county justice bureau for study and obtain approval before they can present defense arguments that involve changing the characterization of a crime, and demanding that all law firms strictly enforce this.
According to a Reuters report on September 17, Japan and Taiwan are stepping up communication with the U.S. amid concerns that Trump might sacrifice Taiwan's interests for economic and trade commitments during the anticipated September 24 meeting with Xi Jinping. Japan has already dispatched officials to the U.S. to secure a meeting between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Trump, and Taiwan has also expressed its position to the U.S. side.
On September 16, The Wall Street Journal disclosed that Zhengzhou Zhirong Network Technology Company used AI technology to organize stolen foreign government classified data and sold intelligence to the Chinese public (Public Security) organs, involving secrets of countries such as Russia, the Philippines, Pakistan, and the Vatican.
The Federal Reserve voted unanimously on Wednesday to raise the federal benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to between 3.75% and 4%, marking the first hike in three years, aimed at addressing inflation pressures and uncertainties stemming from geopolitical tensions, with most officials planning another rate increase later this year.
The White House confirmed to the media on September 17 that Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to the White House on September 24. President Trump will personally go to Joint Base Andrews at 4:00 PM on the 23rd to welcome him and will host a state dinner at the White House.
On September 16, European Commission President von der Leyen delivered the State of the Union address at the European Parliament, stating that the EU's trade deficit with China has reached a critical point. She announced that the EU will use all available tools to reshape its relationship with China and established the European Critical Raw Materials Board to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earths.
On September 15, German Chancellor Merz criticized China at the Berlin Entrepreneurs' Conference, stating that through state intervention, overcapacity, and export subsidies, China has driven the EU's trade deficit with China to over 300 billion euros. EU leaders plan to discuss in October whether to deploy trade defense instruments.
It was reported on September 15 that Beijing planned to seek an extension of the US-China trade truce until the end of Trump's term ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting on September 24. However, due to China's failure to fully fulfill its rare earth export commitments, the US side was only willing to renew it for 6 months and demanded that China ease its rare earth restrictions on Japan.
On September 14, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists released an investigative report, pointing out that the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China's London branch, under directives from headquarters, tied commercial business to national strategy, provided financing to sensitive enterprises, and bypassed compliance procedures to assist Huawei in transferring huge sums of money, reflecting the operational logic of Chinese state-owned banks where profit serves political objectives.
On September 15, the Jinan Intermediate People's Court in Shandong Province delivered a first-instance verdict, sentencing Bi Jingquan to 14 years in prison and a fine of 5 million yuan for accepting bribes totaling over 57.42 million yuan between 1995 and 2025 by abusing his official positions. Bi Jingquan previously served as Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council and Director of the State Food and Drug Administration.
A Russian drone hit a passenger bus and a train in southern Ukraine, killing 5 people and injuring 7, with another train damaged; the Ukrainian side condemned the act as systematic killing of civilians.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill with 262 votes in favor and 159 against, authorizing the imposition of tariffs on countries that are top purchasers of Russian energy. These countries could face tariffs of up to 100 percent. The bill was introduced by the Republican Party, with 58 Democratic representatives supporting it and 7 Republican representatives voting against it. After passing, the bill was sent to the White House and still requires the President's signature. The relevant measures affect countries that purchase Russian energy, such as China and India.
At 11:00 AM on September 16, 2026, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced the first five-year plan in Hong Kong's history at the Legislative Council. The plan consists of 7 parts and 28 chapters, totaling over 60,000 words, and proposes 22 major indicators, 5 of which are binding. The plan covers targets such as land supply in the Northern Metropolis, innovation activities, industrial development, students, and tourists, requiring relevant indicators to be completed as scheduled.
Prosecutors presented internal emails, flight records, and surveillance footage, accusing Huawei employee Adam Zhong of attempting to obtain T-Mobile test robot parts and take photos.
According to multiple sources, Xi Jinping concluded his trip in India and flew back to Beijing, arriving at Daxing Airport at 9 p.m. that night. Upon deplaning, he apparently suffered a sudden stroke or other serious health issue, was unable to walk normally, had to be carried off the aircraft on a stretcher, and was then taken directly to the 301 Hospital for comprehensive medical examination and treatment.
On September 16, inside the reception office of the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration in Xicheng District, Beijing, two petitioners committed suicide by drinking pesticide. It is reported that the reception office had refused to allow petitioners to check in starting this Monday, leaving a large number of petitioners with no way to resolve their grievances. [Follow-up · September 16, 2026] On September 16, two petitioners protested by drinking pesticide in front of the National Public Complaints and Proposals Administration in Beijing.
On September 15, the State Council's Regulations on Outbound and Inbound Management officially came into effect, stipulating that Chinese citizens who violate export controls or endanger national security may be prohibited from leaving the country. Foreign media and scholars worry that this move will tighten control over technical talent, turning international travel into a privilege requiring administrative approval.
According to a Bloomberg report on September 14, as the U.S. and Chinese heads of state are expected to meet in late September, China purchased at least 1 million tons of U.S. soybeans last week, bringing total purchases to over half of its annual commitment. China Gas also signed a 20-year liquefied natural gas purchase agreement, though tensions between the U.S. and China persist in areas such as AI and arms sales to Taiwan.
On September 15, China’s new entry‑exit management regulations officially took effect, empowering authorities to inspect electronic devices, deny exit to persons involved in security matters, and not disclose related decisions. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Chairperson Shen Youzhong and the Straits Exchange Foundation Deputy Secretary‑General Li Baowen promptly reminded the public to pay attention to information security and risk assessment when traveling to the mainland.
During Xi Jinping's visit to India from September 12 to 13, 2026, his gait and state during public appearances were noted by outsiders as clearly abnormal, sparking speculation about his health and discussions regarding a power crisis within the CCP.
On September 13, the Central Organization Department, together with relevant ministries and commissions, revised the management measures for leaders of schools, research institutions, public hospitals, and the propaganda and cultural system, clarifying that the “two establishments” and the “two safeguards” are the primary political criteria for appointments, and these are integrated throughout the entire process of selection, training, and supervision.
On September 13, a blogger who claimed to have attended Hengshui No.2 Middle School in Hebei posted a video exposing high‑pressure control and serious human‑rights violations within the school. She said teachers often beat and verbally abuse students, causing sternum or clavicle fractures; a sophomore girl, after being insulted, cut her wrist in the dormitory; and a female student, seeking protection, developed a relationship with a male teacher, whose homeroom teacher was later taken away on suspicion of rape.
New Chinese entry and exit regulations took effect on September 15, implementing stricter restrictions and penalties regarding reasons for application, travel to high-risk countries and regions, special technical personnel, and the responsibilities of intermediary agencies, sparking widespread concern over obstacles to traveling abroad.
Lawmakers from the United States and Japan held talks in Washington, reaching a bipartisan consensus confirming that a contingency in Taiwan is a contingency for Japan, as well as for the US-Japan Alliance. A crisis in Taiwan is fundamentally a crisis for Japan and the US-Japan Alliance, further strengthening strategic deterrence against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s military aggression against Taiwan.
According to revelations, on September 15th, the Deputy Secretary of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee was allegedly knocked down by an electric bicycle ridden by a delivery worker while on a private visit in disguise during his vacation, triggering a subsequent large-scale rectification campaign.
On September 11, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission together with the Ministry of Finance jointly reported six cases of local government hidden debt, naming Anhui’s Jieshou, Jiangxi’s Jiujiang and Ningxia’s Yinchuan for falsifying, misappropriating or using new loans to repay old ones, with “debt‑conversion fraud” amounts totaling 2.94 billion yuan, and also mentioned the issue that during Wu Shenghua’s tenure as former party secretary of Bijie, Guizhou, debt increased rather than decreased.
On September 13, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and several European officials encountered a drone threat and were briefly evacuated while traveling by train from Kyiv. Another passenger train on the same route was subsequently struck by a Russian drone at the Yahodyn station in Ukraine; no casualties were reported. Ukrainian railway authorities suggested that the attack may have originally been intended for the train carrying the European officials.
On September 14, an indiscriminate knife attack on passersby occurred near the University City in Guangzhou. A man wearing a black mask committed the assault in the street, leaving multiple people injured.
Kyodo News, citing multiple sources, reported that Beijing has signaled to Washington that if the U.S. approves any new arms sales to Taiwan before the upcoming U.S.-China summit, China will consider canceling the meeting.
On September 11, U.S. federal prosecutors in Detroit charged 41-year-old Tianjin resident Di Jin with allegedly collecting information on current and former U.S. government officials regarding U.S.-China relations for Chinese intelligence agencies. According to an FBI investigation, she acted under the direction of Shanghai intelligence officers, using her work at a Beijing think tank as a cover, and was instructed to delete chat records before traveling to the U.S. Her communications involved topics such as "Xi’s team," rare earth elements, U.S. debt, and tariffs.
On September 13, State Security Minister Chen Yixin published a signed article in a magazine, listing political security as the primary risk of artificial intelligence and demanding adherence to the Party's comprehensive leadership, warning of overseas AI leakage risks and proposing the establishment of a regulatory platform. On the same day, Anthropic released a report stating that local public security and state security in China had used Claude to monitor residents, rights defenders, and overseas dissenters.
The People's Bank of China released the financial data for August. New RMB loans nationwide totaled only 60 billion yuan, far below the market expectation of 404.3 billion yuan, and the year-on-year growth rate plummeted to a historic low of 4.9%. Both household and corporate loans experienced sharp declines, reflecting a frozen willingness for private sector investment and consumption.
On September 14, at the All-In Summit in Los Angeles (hosted by Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Friedberg, and David Sacks), Trump called Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who was on stage, and Huang answered on speakerphone. Trump first teased Huang for being able to build the most complex chips but failing to manage the speakerphone, then addressed the recent opposition surrounding data center construction and AI safety, calling it all a 'scam.' He accused the opponents of 'playing right into someone's hands' and hinted that the opposition might be linked to political forces or China, stating, 'We won't let that happen.' Huang replied, 'You're right, sir, we won't let that happen,' and expressed his commitment to ensuring everyone in the U.S. wins in the AI race. Trump emphasized that the U.S. must beat China in AI innovation, calling data centers 'the oil of the next 20 to 25 years.'
US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall publicly admitted at a conference in National Harbor, Maryland, that the US Space Force currently possesses space control weapons deployed in orbit. This is the Pentagon's most explicit public statement to date regarding the US's deployment of weapons in space, aimed at protecting joint forces from threats posed by hostile adversaries.
On September 11, 2026, the Hong Kong High Court sentenced leaders of the Alliance for Patriotic Democratic Movements of Hong Kong (ADPL), Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung, and Albert Ho Chun-yan, to five, six, and seven years in prison respectively for subversion of state power. The Hong Kong SAR government and the Legislative Council subsequently issued statements firmly supporting the verdict and accusing the US, the West, and overseas organizations of slander and smearing. Police Commissioner Raymond Siu warned that there are still hidden criminals. The EU issued a statement saying the trial was politically motivated and warned of damage to Hong Kong's rule of law reputation; the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for the abolition of the penalty and demanded that the National Security Law comply with international human rights standards.