At least 12 people were killed in an explosion at a fireworks shop in Xiangyang city, located in central China’s Hubei province, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene and brought the fire under control. The exact cause of the explosion remains unknown, and investigators are currently examining the incident.

The blast occurred during the Lunar New Year period, when fireworks are widely used across China. However, their use frequently leads to accidents. This was the second major fireworks-related explosion reported in the same week. On Sunday, a similar incident in Jiangsu province killed eight people and injured two others after a resident ignited fireworks near a shop.

China’s Ministry of Emergency Management issued a statement on Tuesday warning that fireworks remain a major safety risk during the Spring Festival and urged authorities to strengthen safety measures to protect the public.

A senior US official has claimed that China secretly carried out an underground nuclear explosion in June 2020. According to the report, the US government has released new intelligence suggesting that a seismic event detected on June 22, 2020, near China’s Lop Nur test site may have been caused by a nuclear detonation. The information was disclosed by Christopher Yao, Assistant Secretary at the US State Department, during an event in Washington.

Yao stated that a remote seismic monitoring station in Kazakhstan recorded a 2.75-magnitude tremor approximately 720 kilometers from the Lop Nur site. He argued that the data did not match mining explosions or natural earthquakes and was consistent with signals expected from a nuclear test. However, the international organization responsible for detecting nuclear explosions said it lacked sufficient data to confirm Yao’s claim.

Responding to the allegation, Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu in Washington dismissed the accusation as baseless, calling it an attempt by the United States to justify resuming its own nuclear testing program.

On February 16, 2026, China Media Group (CMG) hosted the annual Chinese Spring Festival Gala, broadcast in 85 languages across more than 200 countries and regions. The event, themed around the Year of the Horse, symbolized perseverance and progress, inspiring audiences worldwide. It featured a blend of traditional performances and cutting-edge technology, including AI-generated content that brought digital horses and ancient art to life on stage.

The gala showcased humanoid robots from four Chinese companies—Galaxy General, Songyan Dynamics, Yushu Technology, and Magic Atom—demonstrating China’s rapid progress in robotics. Additional venues included Harbin’s ice-built stage and a light show on Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, symbolizing cultural exchange between China and the Arab world. The event also received greetings from global leaders, including those of Russia, Brazil, and Pakistan, highlighting China’s growing international influence.

Experts described the 2026 gala as a convergence of technology, culture, and diplomacy, reflecting how Chinese traditions are evolving into a global celebration that bridges innovation and heritage.

Eight people were killed and two others injured in an explosion at a fireworks shop in Donghai County, Jiangsu Province, eastern China, on Sunday afternoon. Local sources said several villagers were handling fireworks unsafely, which led to the blast around 2:30 p.m. Authorities quickly arrived at the scene, and the fire was brought under control by 4 p.m. The injured were taken to a local hospital, and families of the deceased were notified.

The incident occurred as China entered the Lunar New Year festive period, during which fireworks are widely used. Authorities had already issued safety warnings regarding the handling of fireworks during the celebrations. The explosion highlights ongoing safety concerns surrounding the use and storage of fireworks in rural areas.

Earlier this month, a biotech factory explosion in Shanxi Province killed eight people, and another blast at a steel plant in a nearby region in late January left at least nine dead, underscoring a series of recent industrial accidents across China.

China’s efforts to expand its influence in South Asia through major infrastructure projects are facing growing challenges. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), once a flagship of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, has been slowed by political instability, security threats, and incomplete projects in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. In Afghanistan, Chinese investments exceeding $10 billion, including copper, oil, and lithium ventures, have been repeatedly delayed by insecurity and fragile governance. These setbacks have raised doubts about China’s ability to convert economic power into sustained regional leadership.

Analysts note that China’s limited crisis management capacity and lack of experience in external security operations have exposed weaknesses in its regional strategy. Attacks on Chinese nationals and projects, coupled with stalled Taliban-Pakistan talks, highlight Beijing’s constrained influence. Institutions such as SIPRI and Brookings have observed that instability and negative narratives are undermining China’s credibility and strategic image.

The outcome of these projects will likely shape China’s future role in South Asia. Without effective policy and security management, its ambition to act as a stabilizing power may remain unfulfilled.

China has expressed its intention to raise its bilateral relationship with Germany to a “new height.” Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi made the statement during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday, held on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Wang emphasized advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership and preparing for the next stage of high-level exchanges with Berlin.

The meeting took place as the European Union works to reduce dependence on both China and the United States. Beijing, in turn, is seeking to present itself as a more reliable and stable partner. In recent years, economic ties between China and Germany have faced strain due to allegations of unfair trade practices, protectionism, and shifts in global trade policy. Reports suggest that Merz may visit China later this month, with trade relations expected to dominate discussions.

Wang Yi also urged Germany to maintain “strategic autonomy and self-reliance,” describing the country as a potential driving force in China-Europe cooperation and a stabilizing anchor in strategic relations.

China’s Yangtze River, once severely polluted and ecologically degraded, is showing signs of revival following a government-imposed fishing ban. The policy, implemented using evolutionary theory to enhance effectiveness, also provided alternative employment for fishers who depended on the river for their livelihood. A study published Thursday in the journal Science reported that fish biomass in the river has more than doubled, and several endangered species have returned.

French researcher Sébastien Bros from the University of Toulouse described the initiative as the most positive freshwater conservation step taken in two decades. His team analyzed changes across the vast waterway, which supports 400 million people and numerous major factories. The findings indicate that the ban not only restored aquatic life but also improved water quality.

The Chinese government spent about three billion dollars to compensate and retrain nearly two hundred thousand fishers, leading one hundred thousand to stop fishing. Between 2019 and 2021, total biomass doubled and biodiversity increased by 13 percent, signaling a remarkable ecological comeback for the world’s third-largest river.

At least seven people were killed in an explosion at a biotech factory in northern China, according to state media reports. The incident occurred on Saturday at the Jiapeng Biotech Company facility in Shanxi province’s Shanyin County, about 400 kilometers west of Beijing. Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday morning that one person remains missing following the blast, citing local authorities. Search and rescue operations are continuing at the site.

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation. Industrial accidents are relatively common in China, often attributed to lax safety standards. In late January, a similar explosion at a steel plant in neighboring Inner Mongolia province killed at least nine people.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the victims or the extent of the damage, and investigations into the cause are ongoing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged US President Donald Trump to carefully consider any decision to send weapons to Taiwan, calling the island an integral part of China. The two leaders held a phone conversation following recent visits to China by Western leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. During the call, Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity regarding Taiwan.

According to Chinese state media, Xi emphasized Beijing’s strong interest in maintaining constructive relations with Washington. He expressed optimism that both countries could find ways to resolve their differences on various issues. The conversation came after Xi’s virtual meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and ahead of Trump’s planned visit to China in April, which Xi said he was eagerly anticipating.

The latest exchange marks a continuation of dialogue between the two leaders, who last spoke in November when Xi invited Trump to visit China.

China has announced that it will not participate in nuclear disarmament talks at this stage, despite calls from Germany for Beijing to join global arms control discussions. The statement came on Thursday following the expiration of the last active nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia, which has raised fears of a renewed global arms race.

At a press conference in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that China’s nuclear capabilities are fundamentally different from those of the United States and Russia. For that reason, he explained, China will not take part in nuclear disarmament negotiations at this time.

China’s position comes as international concern grows over the potential escalation of global weapons competition following the end of the U.S.-Russia START treaty, which had been the final functioning nuclear arms control agreement between the two powers.

China has executed four additional members of a Myanmar-based mafia group connected to a large-scale online fraud operation, according to state media reports published on February 2, 2026. The four individuals, belonging to the notorious Bai family, were convicted by a court in Guangdong Province for crimes including fraud and murder.

The report noted that in November of the previous year, five other members of the Bai family, including their leader Bai Suocheng, had been sentenced to death. Bai Suocheng later died of illness following his sentencing. Earlier, Chinese authorities had already executed 11 members of the same family for their involvement in running scam centers in Myanmar.

Separately, a court in Zhejiang Province had sentenced members of the Ming family in September of the previous year for multiple serious crimes such as murder, illegal detention, fraud, and running gambling operations. The Ming family was among several influential groups controlling Laukkai, a small town near the China–Myanmar border that became known for casinos and nightlife under their rule.

China has executed 11 members of the notorious Ming family, who operated a large-scale fraud and gambling network in Myanmar. The executions followed a September verdict by a court in Zhejiang Province, which sentenced the group for crimes including murder, illegal detention, fraud, and running gambling dens. The family had managed a scam center in Laukkai, near the China-Myanmar border, and was extradited to China after being arrested by Myanmar authorities under Beijing’s pressure.

According to the court, the Ming family’s criminal operations between 2015 and 2023 generated over 10 billion yuan (about 1.4 billion dollars) and led to the deaths of 14 Chinese citizens, with many others injured. In total, 39 family members were convicted, with 11 receiving death sentences, 11 life imprisonment, and the rest prison terms ranging from 5 to 24 years.

The case highlights China’s ongoing crackdown on cross-border fraud networks that have trapped thousands of Chinese workers in Myanmar’s border regions.

Beijing has launched an investigation into two of China’s highest-ranking military officials, marking the latest phase in President Xi Jinping’s campaign to consolidate control over the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The Ministry of Defense announced that Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Joint Staff Chief Liu Zhenli are under investigation for “serious disciplinary and legal violations.” Their removal leaves the CMC with its fewest members in history, now comprising only Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin, the head of the military’s anti-corruption body.

The CMC is China’s top military decision-making body, responsible for strategy and operations. Analysts note that the probe underscores Xi’s tightening grip on the armed forces, continuing a years-long effort to ensure political loyalty within the PLA. While “disciplinary violations” often refer to corruption, such investigations have historically been used to eliminate political rivals. Researcher Tristan Tang of the Pacific Forum said the move highlights Xi’s strength and may also relate to inefficiencies in defense resource management and combat readiness.

The investigation could last months or years, with most accused officials typically detained, convicted, and stripped of their positions and party membership.

Nine people have been confirmed dead following an explosion at a steel plant in China’s northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, according to state media reports on Tuesday. The incident occurred over the weekend at the Baogang United Steel plant, where a water and steam tank with a capacity of 650 cubic meters reportedly exploded. At least 84 people were hospitalized after the blast, and one person remains missing as rescue teams continue search operations.

Videos circulating on social media showed the plant’s collapsed roof, debris, and thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky. Firefighting vehicles were deployed to the site, and footage captured a large object being hurled into the air during the explosion. Residents living several kilometers away said the blast shook their homes and shattered windows.

The report noted that China has experienced several major industrial accidents in the past, including a fireworks factory explosion in Hunan Province last June that killed nine people and a 2015 chemical warehouse blast in Tianjin that claimed more than 170 lives.

China’s birth rate has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1949, according to official data released Monday. The National Bureau of Statistics reported that only 7.92 million babies were born in 2025, resulting in a birth rate of 5.63 per 1,000 people. This marks the fourth consecutive year of population decline, with the total population dropping by about 3.39 million to 1.4 billion, as deaths outnumbered births.

Experts cited declining marriage and childbirth trends, rising living costs, and difficulties balancing work and family life as key reasons for the sustained drop in births. Despite government measures such as child allowances, tax breaks for housing, and free preschool education, younger generations remain reluctant to have children due to economic uncertainty and the high cost of raising families.

The continuing demographic decline is reducing China’s labor force and increasing the proportion of elderly citizens, posing a significant long-term challenge for the world’s second-largest economy.