China news roundup / Nachrichten 2025-11-07/08

China’s exports unexpectedly contract in October as shipments to U.S. drop 25%

"Outbound shipments dropped 1.1% in October in U.S. dollar terms from a year earlier [...] Imports rose 1% last month, missing the estimates for 3.2% growth, as a prolonged housing market downturn and weak job market conditions continued to weigh on consumer demand."

--- The more interesting number is the imports. Which shows that the situation in China doesn't really get much better.

China talks up EU trade deal, years after investment pact was frozen

"Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told Reuters on Wednesday that he had discussed with China's top diplomat Wang Yi a "very important" EU-China free trade agreement that was different to the EU-China CAI, but added that China's support for Russia might slow down its completion."

--- Looks like some in the EU are really eager to get cheated by China again.

China to Resume Nexperia Chip Exports, Dutch PM Schoof Says

"China told the European Union that it will “grant exemptions from licensing requirements to any exporter, provided that it is declared that the goods are intended for civilian use,” the bloc’s trade chief Maros Sefcovic said in a social media post, adding that the measure takes effect immediately. Economic Affairs Minister Vincent Karremans sparked the dispute in late September by invoking a Cold War-era law to gain powers over decisions at Nexperia. The Dutch government was preparing to suspend the measure as soon as next week if exports from Nexperia’s Chinese affiliate resumed"

--- Which probably means that the Dutch government under German pressure kowtowed to the CCP.

Germany to re-examine 'security-relevant' China trade policies

"The new committee will report to parliament twice a year. "The aim of the committee is to examine from a legal, economic and political perspective the need for changes to foreign trade rules," the motion read. The committee will also look at other countries' trade ties with China. Last month, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who has criticised China's rare earth export restrictions and tacit backing for Russia in its war against Ukraine, postponed a trip to China at the last minute after Beijing confirmed only one of his requested meetings. This week Chancellor Merz broke with decades of German free trade dogma by calling for Europe to adopt protectionist measures to sustain Europe's steel industry in the face of a Chinese competitive onslaught."

--- Looks like at least the German government is slowly giving up the traditional naivety. But we will have to wait and see because part of the government is still the SPD which is - or at least was - strong on the appeasement side.

‘A new arms race’: Satellite images, maps and records reveal huge surge in China’s missile production sites

"That requires ramping up the production of both cheap and expensive missiles. China previously thought it might need 5,000 or 10,000 missiles to defeat Taiwan, according to Alberque. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Beijing’s estimates have increased exponentially"

--- Not really surprising. Just more confirmation that China is urgently preparing for Taiwan invasion. 2027 is not that far away.

China launches new aircraft carrier in naval race with the US

Trump pardons ex-NYPD officer who was convicted of helping China stalk an expat

Single mothers in China find a new kind of partner – other single mothers

--- China Uncensored featured the usual weekend news variety again:

--- DW News: "How the 'First Island Chain' became one of the world's geographically most important territories"

Schwarz-Rot will China-Kommission einrichten

""Ziel der Kommission soll die rechtliche, ökonomische und politische Prüfung eines entsprechenden Handlungsbedarfes zu Anpassungen etwa im Außenwirtschaftsrecht sein", heißt es in dem Antrag. Konkret soll das Gremium Abhängigkeiten und Verwundbarkeiten Deutschlands benennen. Außerdem sollen chinesische Investitionen und Investitionsmöglichkeiten in die kritische Infrastruktur in Deutschland überprüft werden. Auch die Beziehungen anderer Länder zu China soll die Kommission analysieren. Die Kommission soll aus einem Dutzend Experten bestehen, die aus verschiedenen Politik-, Wirtschafts-, und Industrieverbänden entsandt werden sollen. Das Gremium soll dem Bundestag jährlich seine Ergebnisse vorlegen. Halbjährlich wird der Wirtschaftsausschuss zum Stand der Arbeit unterrichtet."

--- Mal abwarten, was dabei herauskommt. Merz will zwar anscheinend etwas härter mit China umgehen. Aber die SPD ist immer noch mit in der Regierung.

China genehmigt Ausnahmen beim Export von Nexperia-Chips

"Brandstätter erklärte, das chinesische Handelsministerium habe nach einer Einigung mit den USA schnell reagiert, um die Ausfuhrgenehmigungen zu ermöglichen. Wie "schnell und nachhaltig" das neue Verfahren zur Lieferung der Nexperia-Chips funktioniere, hänge vor allem von den bilateralen Beziehungen zwischen China und den USA ab."

--- Scheint wohl eher so zu sein, dass die holländische Regierung unter deutschem Druck eingeknickt ist.