Closed 2025, Opening 2026: China’s System-Level Momentum

Welcome to the first edition of 2026, and let me begin by wishing you a clear‑minded, curious, and forward‑looking new year. China has opened the year with a highly engineered, system‑level acceleration—from data market reforms to major energy projects in ultra‑high‑voltage transmission, green hydrogen, offshore wind, and more. At the same time, breakthroughs in AI, emotional robotics, digital‑twin cities, and cross‑border medical collaboration signal a rapid expansion of technological capability. These developments are not isolated events but early indicators of how global cooperation in 2026 will increasingly revolve around energy transition, digital infrastructure, AI standards, and resilient supply chains. In this context, to misunderstand China is to misunderstand the direction in which the era itself is moving. This issue will guide you through the structural shifts now unfolding—and why they matter for the world.

1. Data Circulation Institution Cultivation Draft Released - On December 26, 2025, the National Data Administration (NDA) released Opinions on Cultivating Data Circulation Service Institutions and Accelerating the Marketization and Valuation of Data Elements (Draft for Comment) to the public, with the comment period ending on January 4, 2026. The draft clarifies the functional positioning of various data circulation service institutions, proposes goals such as significantly improving institutional service capabilities and enriching data product services by the end of 2029, and will help construct a national integrated data market.

2. Beijing Integrated Medical-Nursing Service Measures Issued - On December 25, 2025, multiple departments in Beijing jointly issued Work Measures for Carrying Out Integrated Medical-Nursing Services to Promote the High-Quality Development of Integrated Medical-Nursing Services, clarifying initiatives including improving the "1+17+N" integrated medical-nursing service network and expanding the supply of nursing beds. It sets goals such as the effective operation of medical-nursing consortia and a family doctor contract coverage rate of no less than 80% for elderly people in special difficulties by the end of 2027.

3. Mengxi-BTH UHV Project Commences - On December 30, 2025, the Mengxi to Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) ±800kV UHV DC Project, a key project of the national "14th Five-Year Plan" power planning's "Three AC and Nine DC" layout, officially broke ground. With a total investment of approximately 17.2 billion yuan, the project is scheduled to be completed and put into operation in 2027, which will enhance the power guarantee capacity and optimize the energy structure in the BTH region.

4.New Infrastructure Tax Incentives Extended - On December 27, 2025, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the State Taxation Administration (STA) jointly issued Announcement on Continuing the Implementation of Relevant Tax Preferential Policies Supporting the Construction of New Infrastructure, clarifying that policies such as VAT immediate refund and enterprise income tax reduction for new infrastructure projects will be extended until the end of 2028 to facilitate the in-depth integration of the digital economy and the real economy.

5. Cross-Region Medical Settlement Policy Improved - On December 28, 2025, the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) issued Notice on Further Improving the Direct Settlement Policy for Cross-Region Medical Treatment, expanding the coverage of direct cross-region medical settlement, realizing full coverage of direct cross-provincial settlement for medical expenses related to chronic and special diseases in outpatient services, simplifying the filing process, and improving the convenience of medical treatment for the public.

6. Industrial Intelligent Transformation Guidance Issued - On December 29, 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued Guiding Opinions on Accelerating the Intelligent Transformation in the Industrial Sector, proposing that the coverage rate of intelligent transformation of industrial enterprises above designated size will exceed 80% by 2028, and more than 100 benchmark enterprises for intelligent transformation will be cultivated to promote the high-quality development of the industrial economy.

7. National Territorial Space Planning Supervision Measures Issued - On December 30, 2025, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) issued Measures for the Supervision of the Implementation of National Territorial Space Planning, establishing a unified national monitoring and supervision platform, strengthening dynamic monitoring and early warning of planning implementation, and ensuring the orderly progress of territorial space development and protection.

1. High-End Intelligent Green Equipment Manufacturing Plan Released - On December 26, 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) jointly issued Implementation Opinions on Promoting the High-End, Intelligent and Green Development of the Equipment Manufacturing Industry, proposing that the output value ratio of the high-end equipment manufacturing industry will increase to 35% by 2028, more than 50 world-leading equipment manufacturing enterprises will be cultivated, and breakthroughs in key areas such as aerospace and marine engineering will be promoted.

2. Service Outsourcing High-Quality Development Plan Interpreted - On December 27, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) interpreted the Action Plan for Promoting the High-Quality Development of Service Outsourcing, clarifying 6 key actions including constructing digital infrastructure, fostering digital trade industrial clusters, supporting resource-based cities in central and western China to develop AI-related service outsourcing businesses, and creating new growth points for industry development.

3. GBA Nine Mainland Cities Industrial Coordination Rules Issued - On December 28, 2025, Guangdong Province issued Implementation Rules for the Industrial Coordinated Development of Nine Mainland Cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), implementing an inter-administrative region cooperation mechanism, promoting the "central city R&D + surrounding city manufacturing" model, focusing on promoting the integrated layout of industries such as electronic information and low-altitude economy, with the goal of increasing the industrial coordination index of the nine cities by 20% by 2027.

4. Textile Industry Green Low-Carbon Plan Released - On December 29, 2025, the National Textile Industry Transformation and Upgrading Promotion Conference was held, releasing the Three-Year Action Plan for the Green and Low-Carbon Development of the Textile Industry. It proposes that the energy consumption per unit of added value of the industry will decrease by 10% by 2027 compared with 2024, and key technologies such as waterless dyeing and recycled fiber utilization will be promoted to improve the quality and efficiency of the traditional industry.

5. Financial Support for Culture and Tourism Industry Issued - On December 30, 2025, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) jointly issued Several Measures for Financial Support for the High-Quality Development of the Culture and Tourism Industry, proposing to increase credit supply, improve the financing guarantee system, focus on supporting new formats such as cultural IP development and smart tourism, and help the recovery and upgrading of the culture and tourism industry.

6. China Smart Retail Development Report Released - On December 26, 2025, the China Chain Store & Franchise Association (CCFA) released the 2025 China Smart Retail Development Report and supporting industry standards, clarifying the evaluation indicators for the digital transformation of smart retail enterprises, promoting the standardized development of new formats such as unmanned retail and instant retail, and it is expected that the industry penetration rate will increase by another 5 percentage points in 2026.

7. Yangtze River Delta Cross-Border E-Commerce Guidelines Released - On December 28, 2025, the Yangtze River Delta Cross-Border E-Commerce Industry Alliance released the Guidelines for the High-Quality Development of Regional Cross-Border E-Commerce, unifying industry standards such as commodity traceability and logistics and distribution, building cross-border e-commerce talent training bases, and planning to promote the compliance rate of regional cross-border e-commerce to 90% in 2026.

8. GBA IC Industry Development Plan Released - On December 29, 2025, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Integrated Circuit Industry Alliance released an industrial development action plan, proposing to build an integrated industrial chain collaborative innovation system of "design-manufacturing-packaging and testing", establish a 10 billion yuan industrial fund, and increase the self-sufficiency rate of core chips to 40% by 2027.

9. Logistics Industry Digital Transformation Guide Released - On December 30, 2025, the National Logistics and Supply Chain Digital Transformation Conference released the Guide to the Digital Transformation of the Logistics Industry, clarifying the digital transformation standards for links such as warehousing and transportation, promoting the application of technologies such as intelligent scheduling and unmanned warehousing, with the goal of the industry's digital penetration rate exceeding 60% in 2026.

1. Xinjiang Huadian New Energy Project Connected to Grid - On December 25, 2025, the 6GW Huadian Tianshan North Foot New Energy Project in Xinjiang was connected to the power grid. As a supporting power source for the "Xinjiang Power Transmission to Chongqing" project, it has an annual power generation capacity of over 20 billion kWh, which can meet the electricity demand of nearly 10 million households in Chongqing. It is also equipped with innovative achievements such as China's first large-scale grid-forming energy storage project in the "Sagebrush Desert" base.

2. Huadian Jinshang Yebatan Hydropower Station Units Put into Operation - On December 27, 2025, the first batch of units of the Huadian Jinshang Yebatan Hydropower Station were put into power generation. With a total installed capacity of 2.24GW, it is the highest-altitude double-curved arch dam hydropower station under construction in China. After full-capacity operation, its annual power generation will exceed 10.2 billion kWh, saving about 3.1 million tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over 8.3 million tons annually.

3. Tianjin Ninghe Wind Power Project Enters Construction Phase - On December 25, 2025, the 50MW Wind Power Project in Ninghe, Tianjin entered the substantive construction phase. The project has a single-unit capacity of 6.25MW and a hybrid tower height of 132.6 meters, realizing localized manufacturing. Upon completion, it will enhance the regional clean energy supply capacity.

4. Mengxi-BTH UHV Project Commences Construction - On December 30, 2025, the Mengxi to Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) ±800kV UHV DC Project broke ground. Mainly transmitting new energy from the "Sagebrush Desert" area, the project has a rated capacity of 8GW and supporting power sources with a total installed capacity of 16GW, which will promote the efficient transmission of green energy from Inner Mongolia to the BTH region.

5. Huadian Delingha PEM Green Hydrogen Project Operates Commercially - On December 31, 2025, the Huadian Delingha PEM Water Electrolysis Hydrogen Production Project achieved commercial operation. As China's first green hydrogen production project in high-altitude and alpine areas, it has a hydrogen production capacity of 600 Nm³/h, adopts a domestically pioneered single-stack megawatt-level system, and realizes localized substitution of core materials.

6. Qinghai Salt Lake Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project Put into Operation - On December 26, 2025, the first phase of the Qinghai Salt Lake Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project was put into operation. Relying on the green power resources of the salt lake photovoltaic power station, the project has a hydrogen production capacity of 500 Nm³/h and is equipped with a 200-cubic-meter hydrogen storage tank. It will be used in salt lake chemical production to replace fossil energy, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 50,000 tons annually.

7. Jiangsu Yancheng Offshore Wind Power Base Unit Connected to Grid - On December 27, 2025, the first wind turbine of Phase II of the Jiangsu Yancheng Offshore Wind Power Base was connected to the power grid. With a total installed capacity of 1GW, the project adopts 16MW ultra-large capacity wind turbines and is China's first parity offshore wind power demonstration project. After full-capacity operation, its annual power generation will exceed 3 billion kWh.

8. Guangdong Pearl River Delta Water-Solar Complementary Project Commences - On December 28, 2025, the water-solar complementary project supporting the Guangdong Pearl River Delta Water Resources Allocation Project broke ground. With a total investment of 2.5 billion yuan, the project will construct a 1GW photovoltaic power station and a supporting 500MWh energy storage system, providing green energy for the project's operation and saving about 120,000 tons of standard coal annually.

9. Inner Mongolia Ordos "Source-Grid-Load-Storage" Project Connected to Grid - On December 29, 2025, the "Source-Grid-Load-Storage" integrated project in Ordos, Inner Mongolia was connected to the power grid. The project integrates 2GW of wind and photovoltaic resources and is equipped with a 1000MWh energy storage system, realizing local consumption of new energy power generation and improving the stability of regional energy supply.

1. "Kino Vision" AI Short Drama Platform Released - On December 27, 2025, the "Kino Vision" AI short drama production platform was released. Based on the independently developed Kino-AIGC audio-visual production model, it realizes one-stop full-process services such as script generation and editing synthesis. Through intelligent agent joint calling technology, it enables individuals or small studios to complete short drama production within a week.

2. Unitree Technology's First Robot Experience Hall Opens - On December 29, 2025, Unitree Technology's first national intelligent robot experience hall opened in Longhua, Shenzhen, attracting many technology enthusiasts. The experience hall displays star products such as the quadruped robot Go2, and provides immersive projects including humanoid robot interaction, chess battles, and exoskeleton wearing experience, allowing visitors to personally experience the charm of cutting-edge technology. Unitree Technology also plans to expand to more cities in the future to popularize high-tech experiences.

3. NDA Draft Supports AI High-Quality Datasets - On December 26, 2025, the draft for comment released by the National Data Administration (NDA) proposed supporting data circulation service institutions to build high-quality datasets for the development of artificial intelligence, carry out services such as data aggregation, governance, and model training, and explore new formats such as intelligent agent services.

4. Zhuhai-Hong Kong Cross-Border "Bed-to-Bed" Transfer Realized - On December 31, 2025, the Zhuhai-Hong Kong cross-border transfer service realized the pre-declaration of personnel, vehicle, and equipment information through an information-based customs clearance system, making the customs clearance process fast and smooth. The first "bed-to-bed" transfer only took 93 minutes, reflecting the advantages of intelligent medical collaboration.

5. Global Cultural IP Conference Focuses on Tech Integration - On December 27, 2025, the Global Cultural IP Industry Development Conference focused on the integration of "Cultural IP + Technology", discussed issues such as digital IP rights confirmation, and promoted the application of AI and other technologies in the creation and dissemination of cultural IP.

6. World's First Emotional Interactive Humanoid Robot Released - On December 31, 2025, Chengdu High-Tech Zone released the world's first emotional interactive humanoid robot "Ai Qiu-AIQ". It is core-equipped with the "Emotion-Language-Action" (ELA) model and adopts a 3D ultra-short-throw projection facial emotion expression solution, which can realize multi-dimensional emotional perception and natural interaction, and is mainly applied in scenarios such as health care, culture, tourism and business.

7. Shenzhen Advanced Institute Releases Medical AI Diagnosis System - On December 28, 2025, the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) released an independently developed multi-modal medical imaging AI diagnosis system. The system has an accuracy rate of over 97% in diagnosing common cancers such as lung cancer and breast cancer, can be compatible with imaging data taken by different equipment, and has been pilot-applied in 50 primary hospitals nationwide.

8. Yangtze River Delta AI Research Institute Releases Industrial Quality Inspection Model - On December 29, 2025, the Yangtze River Delta Artificial Intelligence Research Institute released an industrial quality inspection AI large model, which can realize micron-level defect detection of products such as electronic components and auto parts. The detection efficiency is more than 10 times higher than that of manual work, and the false detection rate is less than 0.5%. It has been applied in more than 20 manufacturing enterprises.

9. GBA Digital Twin Technology Innovation Center Inaugurated - On December 30, 2025, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Digital Twin Technology Innovation Center was inaugurated and released an urban-level digital twin platform. Integrating multi-field data such as geographic information, transportation, and municipal administration, the platform can realize real-time monitoring and simulation deduction of urban operations, helping the construction of smart cities.

1. Hefei-Xuzhou High-Speed Railway Section Opened - On December 30, 2025, the Hefei-Sizi section of the Hefei-Xuzhou High-Speed Railway was put into operation, and the inaugural train G9500 operated smoothly, bringing Mingguang, Wuhe, and Sixian in eastern Anhui into the high-speed rail era. Hefei West Station was put into operation simultaneously, forming a new "three pillars" pattern of Hefei railway passenger hub.

2. Mengxi-BTH UHV DC Project Breaks Ground - On December 30, 2025, the Mengxi to Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) ±800kV UHV DC Project broke ground. Starting from Ordos, Inner Mongolia and ending in Cangzhou, Hebei, the project has a transmission distance of 700 kilometers and will build 2 new converter stations, which will improve the layout of the "West-to-East Power Transmission" channel.

3. Hangzhou-Quzhou High-Speed Railway Opened to Traffic - On December 31, 2025, the Hangzhou-Quzhou High-Speed Railway was put into operation, forming a dual high-speed rail channel between Hangzhou and Quzhou together with the Hangzhou-Quzhou section of the Shanghai-Kunming High-Speed Railway, shortening the regional time-space distance and helping optimize the Yangtze River Delta railway network.

4. Tianjin Ninghe Wind Power Project Tower Segment Production Starts - On December 25, 2025, the production of hybrid tower segments for the Tianjin Ninghe 50MW Wind Power Project started, marking that the project has entered the substantive construction phase. The project adopts advanced prefabrication technology and will improve the level of regional clean energy infrastructure.

5. Huadian Jinshang Yebatan Hydropower Station Units Put into Operation - On December 27, 2025, the first batch of units of the Huadian Jinshang Yebatan Hydropower Station were put into operation. The project has overcome the technology of year-round uninterrupted pouring of dam concrete in high-altitude and cold areas, and the dam has been continuously poured for 40 months, improving the layout of energy infrastructure in the upper reaches of the Jinsha River.

6. GBA Intercity Railway Pazhou Branch Line Opened - On December 26, 2025, the Pazhou Branch Line of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Intercity Railway was officially put into operation. With a total length of 14.7 kilometers, it connects Guangzhou South Station and Pazhou Business District, with a total travel time of only 12 minutes, helping regional transportation integration.

7. Shanghai Lingang Cross-Sea Bridge Phase II Closed - On December 27, 2025, the Phase II of the Cross-Sea Bridge in the Shanghai Lingang New Area was closed. With a total length of 3.2 kilometers and a designed speed of 80 kilometers per hour, the bridge is expected to open to traffic in June 2026, which will improve the road network layout of the Lingang New Area and enhance regional traffic efficiency.

8. Chengdu Tianfu International Bio-City Transportation Hub Commences - On December 28, 2025, the construction of the Chengdu Tianfu International Bio-City Comprehensive Transportation Hub started. With a total investment of 6.8 billion yuan, the project integrates multiple transportation methods such as railway, highway, and subway, and is expected to be completed and put into operation in 2028, which will strengthen the transportation radiation capacity of the Bio-City.

9. Beijing Sub-Center Railway Hub Main Structure Capped - On December 29, 2025, the main structure of the Beijing Urban Sub-Center Station Comprehensive Transportation Hub, a key project of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) coordinated development, was capped. With a total construction area of about 1.28 million square meters, the project is expected to be completed in 2027 and will become Asia's largest underground comprehensive transportation hub.

1. Zhuhai-Hong Kong "Bed-to-Bed" Cross-Border Ambulance Transfer Launched - On December 31, 2025, the "bed-to-bed" cross-border ambulance transfer service between Zhuhai and Hong Kong was first launched. It only took 93 minutes to transfer a patient from Zhuhai People's Hospital to Hong Kong Princess Margaret Hospital. Relying on the "pre-filing and simplified inspection" customs clearance model, it marks the full connection of the "life green channel" in the Greater Bay Area.

2. Shanghai Hongqiao Nursing Home Becomes Medical-Nursing Model - On December 25, 2025, the Shanghai Hongqiao Nursing Home, as a national demonstration institution for integrated medical-nursing services, has equipped professional medical and nursing teams and intelligent equipment through the community hospital trusteeship model, established standardized chronic disease management processes, and reduced the incidence of complications.

3. Zhuhai Improves Cross-Border Medical Transfer Capacity - On December 31, 2025, Zhuhai has realized that 4 ambulances have obtained both Guangdong-Macao license plates, 1 has obtained a Hong Kong license plate simultaneously, 20 doctors have obtained limited practice qualifications in Macao, and 8 doctors have completed registration in Hong Kong. A total of 6 Guangdong-Macao and 1 Zhuhai-Hong Kong cross-border transfers have been completed, and the response time for Guangdong-Macao transfers has been reduced to a minimum of 25 minutes.

4. Beijing Promotes "Internet + Medical-Nursing Integration" - On December 27, 2025, Beijing's work measures for integrated medical-nursing services proposed promoting "Internet + integrated medical-nursing services", providing the elderly with remote diagnosis and treatment, chronic disease management and other services relying on the remote collaborative service platform, and exploring the application of artificial intelligence in health management.

5. Shanghai Ruijin Hospital Launches "Smart Nursing" System - On December 26, 2025, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital launched a "smart nursing" service system. Through intelligent bracelets, bedside intelligent terminals and other equipment, it realizes real-time monitoring of patients' vital signs and intelligent assignment of nursing tasks. The nursing efficiency of pilot departments has increased by 30%, and patient satisfaction has reached 98%.

6. Guangzhou Nansha's First Community Medical-Nursing Center Opens - On December 27, 2025, the first community integrated medical-nursing center in Guangzhou Nansha District opened. Equipped with 20 nursing beds, it provides integrated services such as general practice diagnosis and treatment, rehabilitation nursing, and elderly care, radiating about 20,000 elderly people in 3 surrounding communities.

7. NHC Releases Geriatric Cognitive Impairment Guidelines - On December 28, 2025, the National Health Commission (NHC) released the Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Geriatric Cognitive Impairment (2025 Edition) and launched a national geriatric cognitive impairment screening campaign. It plans to complete free screening for 5 million elderly people in 2026 to improve the level of early diagnosis and treatment of cognitive impairment.

8. Chengdu High-Tech Zone Pilots "AI + Home-Based Elderly Care" - On December 29, 2025, Chengdu High-Tech Zone piloted the "AI + Home-Based Elderly Care" service, installing intelligent monitoring equipment for 1,000 households of elderly people living alone in the area. The equipment can real-time monitor risks such as gas leakage and falls, and link with community medical and nursing personnel to provide rapid response services.

9. Shanghai Hongqiao Nursing Home Introduces Intelligent Elderly Care Equipment - On December 25, 2025, the Shanghai Hongqiao Nursing Home introduced a variety of intelligent elderly care equipment, including the "Xiaoxi" robot that can accompany and chat and monitor health, a traditional Chinese medicine tongue diagnosis instrument that can generate health assessment reports, and an exoskeleton robot that helps with lower limb function recovery, improving the level of elderly care services.

1. Second "Double High-Level Construction Plan" Promotion Meeting Held - On December 30, 2025, the Promotion Meeting for the Second Phase of the "Double High-Level Construction Plan" and the Pilot Comprehensive Reform of Vocational Education was held in Guangdong. The "Double High-Level" Construction Alliance was established in Shenzhen at the same time, which will promote the high-quality development of vocational education and the integration of industry and education.

2. Nanjing Xuanjia Technology Deepens Industry-University Cooperation - On December 27, 2025, Nanjing Xuanjia Technology deepened industry-university cooperation with Nanjing University of the Arts and Jinling Institute of Technology, constructing an ecological closed loop of "talent training - training and incubation - commercial realization" to transport professional talents for the field of AI audio-visual creation.

3. Beijing Launches "Medical-Nursing Integration Courses" - On December 25, 2025, Beijing's work measures for integrated medical-nursing services proposed setting up "medical-nursing integration courses" relying on senior universities and other institutions to carry out health education and skill training for the elderly and caregivers, improving the professional ability of elderly care services.

4. NDA Draft Encourages Universities to Participate in AI Open Source Communities - On December 26, 2025, the draft for comment released by the National Data Administration (NDA) encouraged universities to participate in the construction of artificial intelligence open source communities, incorporate open source contributions into student credit certification and teacher achievement recognition, and promote industry-university-research collaborative innovation.

5. MOE Issues Vocational Education Industry-University Cooperation Guidelines - On December 26, 2025, the Ministry of Education (MOE) issued Guiding Opinions on Strengthening Industry-University Cooperation in Vocational Education in the New Era, proposing to establish an industry-university collaborative education mechanism, implement "order-based" talent training, and require the coverage rate of training bases co-built by vocational colleges and enterprises to exceed 90% by 2027.

6. GBA University Alliance Releases AI Joint Training Plan - On December 27, 2025, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) University Alliance released a joint training plan in the field of artificial intelligence. 10 universities including Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology participated in the plan, which will offer cross-university courses, co-build laboratories, and cultivate interdisciplinary AI talents.

7. Shanghai Education Examinations Authority Releases 2026 Gaokao Reform Plan - On December 28, 2025, the Shanghai Education Examinations Authority released the 2026 College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) Reform Implementation Plan, adding subject requirements for emerging majors such as artificial intelligence and big data, and strengthening the assessment of students' innovative and practical abilities.

8. National University Industry-University Integration Innovation Conference Held - On December 29, 2025, the National University Industry-University Integration Innovation Conference was held in Wuhan, releasing 100 industry-university integration demonstration projects involving advanced manufacturing, digital economy and other fields, promoting resource sharing and collaborative innovation between universities and enterprises.

1. 2025 Global Cultural IP Industry Conference Held in Shanghai - From December 26 to 27, 2025, the 2025 Global Cultural IP Industry Development Conference was held in the Shanghai International Tourism Resort, gathering top global industry forces to carry out activities such as policy interpretation, thematic discussions, and project signing, focusing on the global path of integrating cultural IP with technology.

2. 16th Xinhua Summit Held in Nanjing - On December 27, 2025, the 16th Xinhua Summit and the 2025 Jiangsu Brand Innovation and Development Conference were held in Nanjing. The "Kino Vision" AI short drama production platform was released on site, discussing the path of OPC model empowering AI industry development, and promoting brand innovation and industrial upgrading.

3. China (Guangxi)-ASEAN Think Tank Dialogue Forum Held - On December 25, 2025, the China (Guangxi)-ASEAN Think Tank Dialogue Forum was held in Nanning. Chinese and foreign experts focused on the in-depth interembedding trend of the China-ASEAN industrial chain, discussed the path of regional value chain integration and development, and provided intellectual support for bilateral cooperation.

4. 19th International Seminar on Urban Water Development Held in Guangzhou - From December 22 to 23, 2025, the 19th International Seminar on Urban Water Development in China and the Conference on Urban Development and Planning was held in Guangzhou. More than 300 Chinese and foreign experts focused on core issues of water governance, promoting the intensive utilization of urban water resources and the construction of safe and resilient cities.

5. Yangtze River Delta Railway Development Achievement Conference Held - On December 31, 2025, the Yangtze River Delta Railway Development Achievement Conference was held in Shanghai, releasing core data such as regional railway construction investment and operating mileage during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, discussing the future development plan of the "Yangtze River Delta on Tracks", and attracting attention from the domestic and foreign industries.

6. 2025 China International AI Industry Expo Held in Shenzhen - From December 26 to 28, 2025, the 2025 China International Artificial Intelligence Industry Expo was held in Shenzhen, attracting more than 300 enterprises worldwide to participate. It displayed cutting-edge achievements such as AI large models and intelligent robots, and the total amount of on-site signed projects exceeded 50 billion yuan.

7. Global Green Energy Technology Summit Held in Hangzhou - From December 27 to 29, 2025, the Global Green Energy Technology Summit was held in Hangzhou. Chinese and foreign experts discussed technological innovation in fields such as photovoltaic, wind power, and hydrogen energy, released the Global Green Energy Technology Development Report 2025, and promoted international cooperation in green energy technology.

8. China-EU Digital Economy Cooperation Forum Held in Beijing - On December 28, 2025, the China-EU Digital Economy Cooperation Forum was held in Beijing. The two sides reached consensus on issues such as digital trade rules and cross-border data flow, and signed 5 cooperation agreements involving digital technology research and development, talent exchange and other fields.

9. GBA International Health Industry Expo Held in Guangzhou - From December 29 to 30, 2025, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) International Health Industry Expo was held in Guangzhou, displaying cutting-edge achievements such as smart medical care and high-end medical devices. It attracted enterprises from more than 20 countries and regions to participate, and reached more than 300 cooperation intentions on site.

1. China and Russia Announce "China-Russia Education Year" - On December 31, 2025, China and Russia announced the holding of the "China-Russia Education Year" from 2026 to 2027, which will deepen exchanges and cooperation in the field of education between the two countries and promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning.

2. China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 Upgrade Protocol Achieves Remarkable Results - On December 25, 2025, the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) 3.0 Upgrade Protocol achieved remarkable results. In the first 11 months, China's imports and exports to ASEAN reached 6.82 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.5%, and the two-way cumulative investment exceeded 450 billion US dollars, with continuous deepening of industrial chain collaborative cooperation.

3. China-Built Georgia Modern Railway Project Opens - On December 24, 2025, the Georgia modern railway project constructed by a Chinese enterprise was opened to traffic. With a total length of 41 kilometers, the annual freight capacity increased from 27 million tons to 48 million tons, which will enhance Georgia's transit transportation capacity as a key node of the "Middle Corridor".

4. Zhuhai-Hong Kong "Bed-to-Bed" Cross-Border Medical Transfer Realized - On December 31, 2025, Zhuhai realized the "bed-to-bed" cross-border medical transfer with Hong Kong, marking that the interconnection of medical resources in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao has entered a new stage, which will further deepen cross-border cooperation in the medical field in the Greater Bay Area.

5. China-ASEAN Promotes Digital and Green Economy Cooperation - On December 27, 2025, China and ASEAN promoted cooperation in the fields of digital economy and green economy through platforms such as the "AI Pavilion" and "New Quality Productivity Pavilion" of the China-ASEAN Expo, helping the intelligent and green transformation of the regional industrial chain.

6. China-Germany New Energy Vehicle Cooperation Forum Held in Berlin - On December 26, 2025, the China-Germany New Energy Vehicle Industry Cooperation Forum was held in Berlin. The two sides reached consensus on battery technology research and development, intelligent connected vehicle standards and other issues. Chinese and German automakers signed 3 joint R&D agreements involving more than 2 billion euros.

7. China and Brazil Sign Digital Economy Cooperation Memorandum - On December 27, 2025, China and Brazil signed a memorandum of cooperation on digital economy. The two sides will carry out cooperation in fields such as 5G, artificial intelligence and e-commerce, co-build 2 digital economy innovation centers, and promote the inclusive application of digital technology.

8. Chinese Enterprise Signs Saudi Arabia PV Power Station Contract - On December 28, 2025, a Chinese enterprise signed a photovoltaic power station construction contract with Saudi Arabia. With a total installed capacity of 5GW and a total investment of more than 3 billion US dollars, the project is expected to be completed and put into operation in 2027, with an annual power generation capacity of over 10 billion kWh.

9. China-South Africa Education Cooperation Forum Held in Pretoria - On December 29, 2025, the China-South Africa Education Cooperation Forum was held in Pretoria. The two sides announced expanding the scale of student exchanges, co-building 3 Confucius Institutes, carrying out vocational education joint training projects, and deepening cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

📎 News Collection Afterword

As we wrap up the final news collection of 2025, we hope this week’s reports have given you a clear and grounded view of how China closed the year—with system-level momentum that now carries into 2026. From year-end policy signals to major energy and infrastructure milestones, from breakthroughs in AI and robotics to expanding international cooperation, each story reflects not only the pace of China’s transformation but also the broader shifts shaping the world’s next chapter.

Thank you sincerely for spending this time with us. Your attention and curiosity are what motivate us to continue curating accurate, insightful, and engaging updates. If you found this issue meaningful, we would be truly grateful if you shared it with your friends, colleagues, or anyone who wants to better understand the forces reshaping our era.

We also warmly welcome you to subscribe to future editions. In the year ahead, we will continue tracking key developments across policy, economy, technology, society, and global cooperation—bringing you timely, structured, and in-depth perspectives. Whether it’s the first signals of 2026’s new policy cycle, emerging technological breakthroughs, or stories of social progress, we look forward to exploring the world’s evolving landscape together with you.

Thank you again for your support. Wishing you a strong start to the new year—and we’ll see you in the next issue.