China's struggling job market fuels new trend of "fake commuting," with unemployed workers leaving home each morning to convince their families they still have jobs. — Reuters #China

China gives Kenya Ksh259 million grant for Ebola response and drought mitigation. #China

Ghana just cut the dollar out of its trade with China. The middleman is gone.

Bank of Ghana Governor Johnson Asiama announced the framework on September 24, 2026, at the Monetary Policy Committee press briefing. The mechanism is straightforward. Ghanaian businesses can now pay Chinese suppliers directly in cedis. Their bank converts the cedis into yuan and settles the transaction through China's Cross-Border Interbank Payment System, known as CIPS. No US correspondent bank. No dollar conversion. No waiting.

Stanbic Bank Ghana is already piloting the arrangement. Ghana Commercial Bank is building a similar service .

The numbers behind the decision are concrete. China is Ghana's largest trading partner. Bilateral trade grew 19.3 percent year-on-year to $14.1 billion in 2025. China accounted for 22.3 percent of Ghana's imports in 2024 . Every one of those transactions previously required routing through US dollars, which meant paying conversion fees, absorbing exchange rate risk, and waiting on American correspondent banks.

Asiama framed it as a structural shift. "The dollar is not needed," he said, describing the arrangement as a way to reduce dependence on a currency Ghana does not control .

This follows a broader pattern. China extended zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries effective May 1, 2026 . Ghana is now building the payment infrastructure to match the trade relationship. Other African central banks are watching.

The dollar's role in global trade was never neutral. It gave the United States leverage over every transaction, every sanction, every settlement. Ghana just found a way around it. Not with rhetoric. With plumbing.

#Ghana #China

China Is Drilling More Than 8 Kilometres Beneath the Taklimakan Desert

China’s Fuman Oilfield has produced more than 26 million tonnes of oil and gas from ultra-deep formations below 6,000 metres. Engineers have now recovered rock cores from 8,080 metres underground, reaching rocks roughly 500 million years old.

The core samples could help scientists understand the ancient rocks and determine their potential to generate and store hydrocarbons. Ultra-deep drilling is extremely challenging because temperature, pressure and rock hardness increase dramatically with depth.

The achievement highlights how modern drilling technology is allowing humans to explore some of Earth’s deepest accessible geological layers—while also expanding China’s ultra-deep oil and gas production.

Sources: China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), CCTV, Global Times

#china

China has just pulled its fuel off the world market, and an already stretched oil market is feeling it. ⛽

Chinese refiners have stopped shipping oil products to every destination except Hong Kong and Macau. The pause stays in place until Beijing says otherwise. Reuters reported the move on Thursday, citing four people briefed on the decision.

Here's what we know:

🔹 The goal is to protect fuel supplies inside China.
🔹 State giant PetroChina scrapped several petrol and jet fuel cargoes planned for October. It had signed most of those deals in the past two weeks.
🔹 Zhejiang Petrochemical, a major private refiner, booked no export shipments for the holiday week.
🔹 China began its week-long national holiday on Thursday without approving exports from its big refiners.
🔹 It is unclear whether exports restart once the holiday ends on 7 October. Sources say that may depend on China's fuel stocks and refinery output.

Why it matters 🌍
Global fuel markets were already short after losing supply from the Middle East and Russia. Attacks linked to the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine have cut refining capacity, tightening diesel supplies in particular. Reuters reports the suspension could push fuel prices in some countries to new highs.

Markets moved quickly. Oil prices rose about 2% on Thursday, with Brent crude trading just above $100 a barrel.

A UBS analyst said the decision points to concern about how much fuel China has available at home.

What's your take: should countries put their own fuel needs first, even when global supply is tight? 👇

#China

Shenzhen Public High School Showcases Quantum Computing and Aerospace Training

A public high school in Shenzhen, China, is drawing attention for exposing students to advanced technology and aerospace education from an early age.

Shenzhen Gezhi Middle School, founded in 2021, reportedly has a quantum computing centre, AI laboratories and engineering workshops. Students also take part in practical programmes involving satellites, rockets and Mars rover technology through partnerships with research institutions.

The school’s approach highlights China’s efforts to introduce emerging technologies and engineering skills into public education at an early stage. #China

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday Iran could have “nothing left to trade for anything” within two weeks as Tehran completes its remaining oil deliveries to China.

Speaking on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, Bessent estimated that only about 15 million barrels of Iran’s oil remained out for delivery as the US blockades the ports.

“They are going to make their final deliveries of oil to China, and then they will have nothing,” he said.

Between 15 million and 22 million barrels of oil are now moving through the Strait of Hormuz each day, Bessent said, compared with about 20 million before the conflict.

“The score is the United States, one billion — more than one billion barrels have gotten out — Iran, zero,” he said.

He described the purpose of Operation Economic Outcast as ensuring Iran adheres to the terms of any potential future deal. #Iran #China

Niger 🇳🇪 built, alongside China 🇨🇳, a hospital that does not run on electricity for its cooling.

It is the Niger General Hospital, on the outskirts of Niamey. A region of the Sahara where the average temperature reaches 35 °C.

Completed 10 years ago, the hospital was constructed in partnership with the Government of Niger and CADI, a prestigious Chinese architecture firm.

The walls use a local method called "Tyrol," made from river sand and white cement, chosen because importing wall materials to Niger, a landlocked country, costs too much money.

The wide pillars act as parasols. The courtyards cool the patient wing through shaded microclimates, and the perforated walls keep the air moving.

Air conditioning only functions where it is necessary, such as operating rooms, laboratories, or pharmacies, nowhere else.

#China #Niger

China Rejects More Sanctions On Iran As Path To Peace
China has made clear that additional sanctions and pressure on Iran will not end the Middle East crisis. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that such measures fail to resolve the issue and urged all parties to pursue political and diplomatic solutions instead.
Washington has pushed for broader isolation of Iran’s economy, including calls for Beijing to join the effort. China continues to reject unilateral sanctions, insisting they lack international legal basis and only heighten tensions. Beijing maintains its economic cooperation with Tehran, particularly in energy trade, while vowing to safeguard its own interests against any secondary measures.
The stance comes amid ongoing regional instability linked to the Strait of Hormuz and broader conflict. China positions itself as favoring dialogue and de-escalation over economic warfare, arguing that sustained pressure risks greater instability for the region and global supply chains. #China #Iran

Donald Trump doesn't usually meet foreign leaders at the airport. On Wednesday, he did for Xi Jinping.

The Chinese president landed at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington and was met on the tarmac by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, complete with a red carpet, an honour guard and a flyover by two B-1 bombers. It's the first time Trump has welcomed any leader this way during a state visit, and Xi's first trip to Washington in more than a decade.

So why the extra effort? Reporting from Reuters, the BBC and others points to what Washington wants out of this visit:

▪ A trade win. Minutes after Xi landed, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the US–China tariff truce (the "Busan Agreement", due to expire on 10 November) is being extended to 10 January. He said the US hopes to negotiate a broader economic package by then, while admitting some Chinese commitments have "not been perfect".

▪ Rare earths. Reuters reports that more Chinese rare-earth export licences and bigger Chinese purchases of US goods are among Washington's key objectives.

▪ Stability. The visit comes as both sides navigate the Iran war, Ukraine, AI and Taiwan. Analysts quoted by Reuters and CNN say both leaders want to show the relationship is steady, even if few major breakthroughs are expected.

Trump has called Xi a "great leader" and a friend. Thursday's White House arrival ceremony featured military bands, fighter-jet flyovers and nearly 500 service members, followed by Oval Office talks and a state dinner only the second Trump has hosted this term. Some Republicans have questioned the optics of such a warm welcome just six weeks before the midterm elections.

Is Trump's red-carpet treatment of Xi smart dealmaking, or is he giving Beijing too much? Tell us what you think below.

#Trump #XiJinping #China #USA

𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 🇨🇳 🇺🇸 Xi Jinping Arrives in the US for High-Stakes Summit With Trump

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in the United States for a three-day state visit, with President Donald Trump personally welcoming him at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

The two leaders are set to hold high-level talks at the White House on Thursday, with trade, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, Taiwan and the war in Iran expected to dominate the agenda.

Washington and Beijing have also agreed to extend their current trade truce, easing immediate pressure between the world’s two largest economies.

Xi’s visit marks his first trip to the United States in nearly three years and comes as tensions remain high over trade, technology, security and China’s growing influence in global affairs.

The summit is being closely watched for signs of a broader agreement between Washington and Beijing, although expectations for a major breakthrough remain limited. #China #USA

China-US relations are once again approaching a pivotal moment that has drawn keen global attention, as Chinese President Xi Jinping travels to the United States at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. #USA #China

China's leader Xi Jinping departed Beijing on Wednesday, bound for Washington where he will meet with US President Donald Trump, state media said.

The highly anticipated talks come as the two countries confront rising fears about increasingly capable artificial intelligence systems, and as both sides look to ease tensions on trade.
#USA #China

Kenya is seeking to advance the planned dualling of the Nairobi Northern Bypass and two other major infrastructure projects from the pipeline to implementation following fresh talks with Chinese development officials.

National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo said the projects were among priority programmes discussed during a meeting in Beijing with China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) Vice Chairman Liu Junfeng.

The 20.2-kilometre Northern Bypass runs from Ruaka in Kiambu County to Ruiru, where it connects with the Eastern Bypass. The government approved its conversion into a dual carriageway in June 2025, with the upgrade expected to include eight interchanges, overpasses and underpasses, pedestrian walkways, cycle paths, improved drainage and upgrades to connecting roads.

Kenya has been pursuing Chinese financing for the project, with the Treasury previously announcing China EximBank’s approval of financing under the Preferential Buyer’s Credit arrangement. #Kenya #China

China is urging the United States and Iran to step back from further escalation and return to serious negotiations, warning that the continuing conflict benefits no one.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on both countries to remain rational, exercise restraint and resume meaningful consultations based on their earlier agreements. Beijing also wants the Strait of Hormuz fully reopened, arguing that disruption along one of the world’s most important energy routes is threatening oil supplies, global trade and economic stability.

China has significant interests in ending the crisis. It is Iran’s largest trading partner and a major buyer of Iranian oil, while its economy depends heavily on stable shipping routes through the Middle East. Beijing has also reportedly used its influence to press Tehran to reduce regional tensions.

The message is simple: continued military action risks more deaths, higher energy prices and wider instability, while diplomacy still offers a possible way out.

Should Washington and Tehran accept China’s call and return to negotiations before the conflict becomes even more dangerous? #China #USA #Iran

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has temporarily stepped back from public engagements due to ill health shortly after returning from the BRICS summit in India.

The presidency said the 73-year-old had been advised to rest but did not disclose his illness or how long he would be away.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is also on medical leave following a minor procedure.

With both leaders unavailable, South Africa’s constitution allows a minister designated by the president to act as president if necessary.

Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola will represent South Africa at the UN General Assembly in New York.

#SouthAfrica #China

🇨🇳🇿🇦 WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE BRICS SUMMIT?

Questions have emerged online following the BRICS Summit in New Delhi after reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping returned to Beijing, while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was later booked off from public engagements due to ill health.

However, claims circulating on social media suggesting that both leaders fell ill after the summit have also been described as false or misleading by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

So far, there is no confirmed evidence linking Ramaphosa’s illness or Xi Jinping’s return to any incident at the BRICS Summit.

📌 What’s confirmed?
• Xi Jinping returned to Beijing after the summit.
• Ramaphosa was temporarily advised to rest by his medical team.
• The wider online claims remain unsubstantiated.

#BRICS #China #SouthAfrica

Chinese billionaire Xu Bo is revealed to have fathered 100–300 children through American surrogates, granting them U.S. citizenship at birth.
The background on this story and guy is nuts!

Xu Bo dropped out of junior high in Wuhan, started in NetEase customer service, then helped design Fantasy Westward Journey.

He walked out, founded Duoyi Network, and became a gaming billionaire who owns almost the entire company.

Then he started building a family like a product pipeline.

He calls himself “China’s first father.”

His line was “having more children solves everything.”

He wanted 50 “high-quality sons.”

He talked about his kids marrying Elon Musk’s kids.

His ex says 300 children.

His company said no, “only a little over 100,” and that just 12 were born in the U.S. through surrogacy.

In 2023, a Los Angeles judge noticed the same name on petition after petition.

Xu appeared by video from China.

He said he wanted about 20 U.S.-born boys to take over the business.

He said he preferred boys. He also said he hadn’t met some of the kids yet because work was busy. They were with nannies in Irvine.

Later he posted a photo of about 100 children sitting in rows.

A U.S. surrogate who thought she was carrying for a single dad saw it and said he was “creating an army.”

How he did it is not a secret loophole. It’s the law as written.

If a baby is born on U.S. soil, the 14th Amendment makes that baby a citizen.

The parents can be Chinese. They can be billionaires. They don’t even have to live here.

Commercial surrogacy is legal in California.

You hire an agency, use IVF, pay a surrogate, get a parentage order, and the child is born American.

There is no federal limit on how many times you can do this.

China bans the practice at home, so the money just moves to states that allow it. #China #USA