In Brief
INTERNAL
China braces for volatile winter, as record El Niño develops
On 04 November, China Daily reported that China is expected to experience an unusually volatile winter, with more frequent cold waves and heightened risks of heavy snowfall and freezing rain, as a super El Niño develops in the Pacific, according to the China Meteorological Administration. The event became the strongest on record by October and is expected to peak in late autumn or early winter, with National Climate Center deputy director Gao Rong saying temperatures across most of the country are forecast to be near or above average, with a colder first half and warmer second half. Precipitation is forecast to be above average nationwide, with heavy snowfall likely across much of northern China and more frequent low temperatures, rain, snow and freezing rain in the south. Four cold air outbreaks are expected in November, and Gao urged agricultural operators and transport, energy, and power authorities to prepare emergency response plans.
(“Super El Nino to bring volatile winter across nation,” China Daily, 04 November 2026)
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202611/04/WS6aea8c39e4b06d4aa0566f01.html

Communist Party charts tougher anti-graft course with plenum resolution
On 04 November, China Daily reported that the fifth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party Central Committee adopted a resolution on persevering with full and rigorous Party self-governance, calling for tougher action against corruption and stronger checks on the exercise of power. Xi Jinping personally led the drafting group, set up in January 2026, with the resolution taking shape over more than eight months, incorporating 208 of 1,173 suggestions received and undergoing 13 revisions at the plenum. The resolution identifies three increasingly arduous tasks for the party, including safeguarding China’s sovereignty and security amid a changing international environment, and warns of challenges to its governance capacity, membership quality, and resistance to corruption. More than 200 measures include exposing new forms of graft such as the use of proxies, post-retirement “revolving door” collusion, and corruption involving virtual currencies and blockchain technology.
(“Course charted for strict Party self-governance,” China Daily, 04 November 2026)
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202611/04/WS6aea6628e4b06d4aa0566de8.html

Beijing to host the 7th World Media Summit on Artificial Intelligence
On 04 November, Global Times reported that the 7th World Media Summit is scheduled to take place in Beijing from 5 to 9 November, co-hosted by the Xinhua News Agency and the Beijing Municipal Government. Established in 2009 as a premier global platform for high-level media cooperation, this year's summit operates under the theme "Media in the Intelligent Age: From Consensus to Action." The event will gather nearly 500 delegates representing roughly 330 mainstream media outlets, think tanks, government agencies, and international organizations from 112 countries and regions. Throughout the summit, attendees will engage in deep discussions centered on the impact of artificial intelligence on global media transformation, the role of media dialogue in global safety, AI-driven cultural exchanges, and the future of global communication governance. Additionally, the itinerary features dedicated tours of Beijing on the sidelines of the core sessions, allowing international delegates to firsthand decode China’s modernization through the lens of the host city.
(“7th World Media Summit to kick off in Beijing to boost media cooperation in intelligent age,” Global Times, 04 November 2026)
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202611/1373592.shtml 

PBOC’s relending policy sparks stock buyback expansion in millions
On 04 November, Global Times reported that The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has intensified its stock buyback relending policy, cutting the facility rate by 25 basis points to 1 percent to stabilize the country's capital market. It was made effective on Wednesday, the central bank also transitioned the program from a temporary measure into a permanent institutional framework. The facility covers 100 per cent of eligible one-year loans and is accessible to 21 national commercial banks and five key city-level commercial banks. Participating banks can add a reasonable margin to independently priced loans, which aims to lower financing costs and encourage listed companies and major shareholders to accelerate share repurchases. Following recent regulatory meetings, commercial banks have already submitted quota applications exceeding USD 29.9 billion. Market experts indicate the rate cut will inject liquidity and boost long-term investor confidence. Demonstrating this policy's immediate impact, China’s chipmaker CXMT announced it would dramatically expand its share buyback program to a new range of USD 374.8 million to 749.6 million . Financial analysts emphasize that while these liquidity tools protect investor interests, long-term market health will ultimately rely on domestic fundamental performance and deeper institutional reforms, including stricter IPO screenings and enhanced dividend policies.
(“China's central bank to step up relending policy to support stock repurchases, shareholder buybacks,” Global Times, 04 November 2026)
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202611/1373598.shtml 

China lifts foreign currency reserve requirement to 06 per cent to temper Yuan’s rally
On 03 November, AA reported that Beijing raised the reserve requirement ratio for foreign currency deposits from 4 per cent to 6 per cent. The People’s Bank of China said the move manages foreign currency liquidity at financial institutions. It will pull about USD 24 billion from the financial system. The yuan has risen for four months in a row, making goods from the world’s largest exporter more expensive abroad. The dollar-yuan rate fell about 4.5 per cent this year, taking the yuan to its strongest level since 2022 by the end of October. Analyst Sadi Kaymaz said the rule takes effect on 15 November, the first such increase in five years. He expects it to slow, not stop, the rise, as strong exports and a large trade surplus back the currency. He added that curbing the rise could invite scrutiny, since a stronger yuan was helping correct trade imbalances.
(“China’s reserve requirement hike to slow but not halt yuan’s rapid rise,” AA, 03 November 2026)
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/china-s-reserve-requirement-hike-to-slow-but-not-halt-yuan-s-rapid-rise/4110124

CHINA AND EAST ASIA
US midterms unlikely to shift Trump’s China approach, but Congress set to tighten tech curbs, say analysts
On 02 November, Al Jazeera reported that analysts expect the 03 November midterm elections to change little in Washington’s approach to China, though Congress is set to tighten technology curbs. Steven Okun, chief executive of APAC Advisors, said bipartisan bills, including the Remote Access Security Act, Chip Security Act, and Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act, would pass regardless. He said US President Donald Trump is the least restrictive on China, having courted Chinese President Xi Jinping, with whom he has met twice this year. Trump has held off approving a USD 14 billion arms package for Taiwan to preserve the trade truce. Joshua Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations said Asian countries want a clearer US presence in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
(“War, tariffs and China: What the US midterms mean for the Asia-Pacific,” Al Jazeera, 02 November 2026)
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/2/war-tariffs-and-china-what-the-us-midterms-mean-for-the-asia-pacific

CHINA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA
China’s Foreign Minister warn against ‘malicious interference’ in bilateral relations with Manila
On 03 November, Global Times reported that China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the Philippines to “rein in relevant individuals,” with bilateral relations facing “malicious interference,” to the Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro. Wang stated that “a few Philippine politicians are acting out of political prejudice and self-interest, and have repeatedly attacked and smeared China.” He added that these politicians have “crossed China’s red lines, politicized normal economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges, and infringed upon the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese personnel and institutions in the Philippines.” Secretary Lazaro reaffirmed the one-China policy, and added that they are willing to resolve maritime and other issues with China through negotiations.
(“Chinese FM urges Philippine side to rein in relevant individuals, saying bilateral relations face malicious interference at present,” Global Times, 03 November 2026)
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202611/1373579.shtml

China’s Foreign Minister meets with officials from Thailand, Laos and Myanmar
On 03 November, Reuters reported that China’s Foreign Minister met separately with officials from Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, intending to improve bilateral relations in the region. China’s Foreign Ministry released a statement where Minister Wang stated that China would support Myanmar’s government in achieving “political reconciliation,” and that China and Thailand should increase cooperation to tackle gambling and telecommunications fraud centers along the Thai border with Myanmar and Cambodia.
(“China foreign minister meets Southeast Asian officials amid relations push,” Reuters, 03 November 2026)
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-foreign-minister-meets-southeast-asian-officials-amid-relations-push-2026-11-03/

CHINA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Beijing intensifies its diplomacy in the Middle East amidst the conflicts 
On 02 November, Al Jazeera reported that China has intensified its Middle East diplomatic engagement, seeking to promote negotiations between the US and Iran amid escalating regional conflict. Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing’s support for Iran’s sovereignty, describing dialogue as the only viable path forward. China’s special envoy Zhai Jun is also scheduled to visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping hosted Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, marking the first visit by an Omani head of state since 1978. The two countries signed 14 cooperation agreements covering AI, green energy, supply chains and currency exchange, while calling for renewed US-Iran dialogue and safe navigation through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
(“China steps up Middle East diplomacy with Iran and Oman meetings,” Al Jazeera, 02 November 2026)
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/11/2/china-steps-up-middle-east-diplomacy-with-iran-and-oman-meetings

CHINA AND RUSSIA
Beijing and Moscow seeks stronger military cooperation and strategic coordination
On 03 November, Reuters reported that China’s Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin met Russia’s Defence Minister Andrei Belousov in Beijing, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to strengthening military ties. Vice Chairman Zhang stated that Beijing sought to enhance strategic communication and mutual trust with Moscow in the defence sector. He described bilateral relations as entering a new phase of accelerated development, contributing to global strategic stability and governance. The meeting, his first publicly known engagement with a foreign minister since joining the Communist Party’s Politburo, comes amidst a major military leadership reshuffle and ongoing anti corruption purges in China.(“China military vice chair meets Russian defence minister in Beijing,” Reuters, 03 November 2026)
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-military-vice-chair-meets-russian-defence-minister-beijing-2026-11-03/

CHINA AND THE AMERICAS 
China calls for restraint amidst renewed US-Iran military escalation 
On 03 November, Anadolu Ajansi reported that China urged the US and Iran to avoid further military escalation following US strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island on November 2. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning maintained that military action cannot resolve disputes and called for dialogue and negotiations to restore stability in the Middle East and Gulf. The statement followed Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s separate meetings with Iranian and Saudi officials in Beijing, where he emphasised diplomatic resolution and rebuilding regional trust. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Tehran had delivered a firm response to Washington, placing responsibility on the US to prevent another war while keeping both diplomacy and military confrontation as options.
(“China urges against military escalation as Iran says ‘ball in America’s court to prevent war’,” Anadolu Ajansi, 03 November 2026)
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/china-urges-against-military-escalation-as-iran-says-ball-in-america-s-court-to-prevent-war-/4109914