China

中方重申：日本根本没有资格要求“入常”

Xinhua | Local Language | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | Geopolitical Conflict and Disputes

Sun Lei, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of China’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, stated that Japan lacks the qualifications to demand permanent membership on the UN Security Council. He argued that Japan cannot shoulder the responsibilities of maintaining international peace and security or win the trust of the international community.

Sun Lei highlighted that the Security Council is central to the international collective security mechanism and recalled the Tokyo Trials that punished Japanese war criminals and upheld international justice. However, he claimed that Japanese militarism has resurfaced in new forms through efforts to deny historical crimes such as the Nanjing Massacre and the forcible conscription of "comfort women," revision of history textbooks, and visits by Japanese leaders to Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of militarism. He also pointed to remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, support for nuclear armament, and moves to revise Japan's security policies as evidence of attempts to revive militarism, posing threats to regional and global peace.

Sun Lei emphasized that a country showing no remorse for historical crimes and violating international norms cannot be entrusted with the responsibilities of maintaining peace and security or seek permanent Security Council membership.

Regarding Security Council reform, China supports necessary and reasonable reforms aimed at enhancing the Council's authority and efficiency, particularly emphasizing the increased representation and voice of developing countries. He urged for a comprehensive resolution to fundamental reform issues through a “package” solution during the current intergovernmental negotiations.

Peoples Daily | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedBizdev-Partnering

During the 14th Five Year Plan period (2021-25), China attracted over $700 billion in foreign investment, ranking first among developing countries. Foreign-funded enterprises have significantly contributed to China's high-level opening up and high-quality development, according to Ling Ji, vice minister of commerce, who spoke at the China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment New Year Reception held in Beijing.

Ling Ji emphasized the stability and certainty of China's rapid economic growth, foreign investment policies, and trade relations, which create a favorable environment for foreign companies operating in China. The upcoming 15th Five Year Plan (2026-30) presents a development blueprint and an "opportunity list" for foreign enterprises, encouraging them to continue investing and expanding their presence in the Chinese market to share in growth opportunities.

Representatives at the event, including Sean Stein from the US-China Business Council and Jens Eskelund from the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, expressed their commitment to supporting China's sustainable development and fostering mutually beneficial cooperation. Foreign-funded enterprises attending the reception also voiced confidence in China's market vitality and business environment improvements, indicating a willingness to increase long-term investment aligned with China's high-quality development goals.

Yicai Global | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedEconomic Growth

The ASEAN+3 region, comprising the 10 ASEAN members along with China, Japan, and South Korea, is projected to experience stronger economic growth in 2026 than previously forecasted. The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) updated its outlook, predicting a 4 percent expansion in 2026 following 4.3 percent growth in 2025, marking a 0.2 percentage point upward revision for both years. China’s growth forecast was similarly raised to 4.6 percent in 2026 from the earlier estimate, supported by macroeconomic policies, resilient exports, and investment in high-tech manufacturing.

The region’s economic resilience is attributed to strong technology demand and robust foreign direct investment inflows into sectors such as advanced electronics, electric vehicles, and digital services. Semiconductor exports in the region grew by 21.7 percent in the second half of 2025, driven by demand related to artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. The global purchasing managers’ index for electronics new orders showed improvement in December 2025, indicating continued export growth. Regional equity markets have also gained since October 2025, boosted by momentum in artificial intelligence despite concerns about US tariff policies.

Despite more balanced risks overall, AMRO identified ongoing uncertainties and downside risks, particularly linked to unpredictable US trade policies and potential expansions of protectionist measures. A significant slowdown in technology demand, possibly caused by market corrections or delays in AI adoption, could adversely affect regional exports, given the sector's cross-border ties. AMRO emphasized the importance of policy readiness to manage shocks in the short term, while encouraging diversification of growth drivers and deeper regional economic integration to enhance long-term resilience.