China

Xinhua | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Accidents

Eight individuals who were previously missing after a steel plant explosion in Inner Mongolia have been confirmed dead, increasing the total death toll to 10. The victims were found without vital signs following extensive search and rescue efforts at Baogang United Steel's plate plant in Baotou City.

The explosion occurred on January 18 and involved a 650-cubic-meter saturated water and steam spherical tank. In addition to the fatalities, 84 people were injured, all of whom remain in stable condition. Over 1,000 personnel from various government departments participated in the rescue operation.

Authorities have initiated a city-wide inspection to identify hidden workplace safety risks. Public security officials have taken legal actions against those responsible within the company. An ongoing thorough investigation is examining the cause of the accident.

Global Times | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Chinese Ambassador Sun Lei, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. to the UN, stated on January 21, 2026, that Japan is fundamentally unqualified to seek a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. He argued that Japan cannot shoulder the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security nor gain the trust of the global community.

Sun highlighted that the Security Council is central to upholding the postwar international order and that Japan's historical militarism has not been fully addressed. Despite the Tokyo trials punishing Japanese war criminals 80 years ago, right-wing forces in Japan have sought to whitewash wartime atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre and forced labor, while revising history textbooks and honoring Class-A war criminals at the Yasukuni Shrine.

He also criticized Japanese leaders, including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, for provocative remarks on Taiwan, pro-nuclear positions, and efforts to revise security policies, which Sun viewed as a push toward remilitarization that threatens regional and global security.

Sun concluded that a country that denies its wartime crimes, challenges World War II outcomes, and disregards the postwar order cannot be trusted with the responsibilities of a permanent Security Council member. China, as a current permanent member, expressed its willingness to collaborate with peace-loving nations to uphold the postwar order and maintain the Security Council's authority and unity.

Xinhua | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedEconomic Growth

China's economy showed strong resilience and vitality in 2025, achieving a 5-percent growth despite a complex domestic and international environment, according to Asif Cheema, Asian Development Bank's (ADB) country director for China. The ADB revised its 2025 growth forecast upward in December, reflecting confidence in China's economic trajectory. The growth was driven by robust export performance and active industrial sectors, notably in high-tech and new energy industries.

In 2025, China ranked among the top 10 of the Global Innovation Index and surpassed the OECD average with an R&D spending intensity of 2.8 percent. Cheema highlighted "resilience" and "innovation" as key attributes of China's economy, citing rapid progress in artificial intelligence (AI) research and patenting. AI's integration with traditional industries is boosting productivity and fueling significant corporate revenue growth, positioning AI as a strong engine of economic expansion.

Cheema also praised China's macroeconomic policies aimed at improving productivity, enhancing social security to stimulate domestic consumption, and further opening the economy. Foreign investor confidence increased sharply, with offshore inflows into Chinese stocks reaching 50.6 billion U.S. dollars in the first ten months of 2025, up significantly from 11.4 billion dollars for all of 2024.

Looking ahead, Cheema expressed optimism about China's economic outlook, emphasizing stability and sustainable growth through continued efforts to boost domestic consumption and high-tech sectors. As the world’s second-largest economy and largest exporter, China plays a vital role in the global economy by fostering job creation, economic opportunities, and technology transfers through both trade and overseas investments.