Global Scans · China · Weekly Summary

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WHAT'S NEXT?: Any disruption in economic activity between China and the United States will necessarily affect other Asian and world economies. How China handles Donald Trump's administration, its relationship with Russia and develops its leadership ambitions will be key areas to watch intently in the coming years.

• [New] China will for the first time have survivable (mobile) theater nuclear forces capable of conducting low-yield precision strikes on U.S. and allied forces and infrastructure across East Asia, in contrast to its historic practice of fielding only larger yield weapons. The Heritage Foundation
• [New] For China, guaranteed palm oil supplies provide essential inputs for food processing, industrial production, and bioenergy, helping to stabilise supply chains and reduce vulnerability amid a complex geopolitical environment. CSPO Watch
• [New] With nearly all LFP cathode materials still made in China, Western nations now face a glaring supply chain vulnerability. All Penny Stocks
• [New] By 2030, over 95% of planned low-emissions hydrogen production in industry is expected to be located in North America, China, the European Union, the Middle East, and India. Mercomindia.com
• [New] China's growing stockpile of nuclear weapons is expected to triple by 2035. DebateUS
• [New] While American companies pour hundreds of billions into training ever-larger models, China's 14th Five-Year Plan calls for comprehensive intelligent transformation of industrial production, with AI embedded across 70% of key sectors by 2027, 90% by 2030, and 100% by 2035. Educational Technology and Change Journal
• [New] Autonomous-driving technology is considered a strategic sector by Beijing, which has set out a policy that aims for China to become the world leader in driverless vehicles by 2035. Los Angeles Times
• [New] The sanctions, aimed at cutting Russia's war revenue, are expected to significantly reduce Russian oil flows to buyers like India and China. Marcellus Drilling News
• [New] Turkic influence is on the rise across much of Eurasia, and the OTS is only going to grow in geopolitical significance and importance in the coming years, especially as Russian influence wanes and China focuses more on the Indo-Pacific. Hudson Institute
• [New] China might have entered a new norm and brands will need to adjust to a consumer that has now evolved. J.P. MORGAN
• [New] China could gain an overwhelming advantage by exploiting technology that could employ tens of thousands of people and generate billions in revenue. Yahoo News
• [New] In return, China is expected to delay its planned export-control regime on rare-earth minerals for one year and resume large-scale purchases of U.S. farm commodities. Successful Farming
• [New] Rothschild expects lithium shortages as early as 2026. / China Seeking Alpha
• [New] The demand for nickel is slated to triple by 2030, thanks to the demand for electric vehicles - including in China. DebateUS
• [New] Beijing's push to lead autonomous vehicles by 2035 is giving Chinese companies advantages: cheaper components, lower vehicle costs and pooled government support for global expansion. Los Angeles Times
• [New] Renewable hydrogen in China could become cost-competitive by the end of the decade, due to low technology and capital costs. Mercomindia.com
• [New] China would make substantial purchases of US soybeans under the framework of a deal forming this weekend in hopes of averting further tit-for-tat trade measures by the top global economies. CNN
• [New] Trump's Indo-Pacific strategy has injected urgency into U.S. engagement with Asia, making clear that Washington sees China not as a competitor, but as its foremost strategic threat. Space War
• [New] China has just uncovered a vast deposit of high-purity quartz - a mineral so critical that it could redefine the global technology supply chain for years to come. Le Ravi
• [New] Most notably, the conflict in Ukraine and the rising threat posed by China in Taiwan and the South China Sea have compelled the U.S. to invest massive political capital and financial resources - a stark departure from any genuine disengagement strategy. FirstPost
• [New] Optimistic scenario: In 2-3 years, the US and China will cease their trade wars, and tensions involving Taiwan, Russia, and India will ease. LiteFinance

Last updated: 31 October 2025