China has reportedly instructed its major oil refineries to temporarily suspend exports of diesel and petrol due to supply disruptions caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East, according to a Bloomberg News report published Thursday citing unnamed sources. The directive was said to have been delivered verbally by officials from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) during a meeting with refinery representatives and was to take effect immediately.

The report noted that China, a net importer of crude oil, relies heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for energy shipments, which are currently halted. Last year, 57 percent of China’s seaborne crude imports came from the Middle East, according to data from analytics firm Kpler. Refineries were also told not to sign new export contracts and to negotiate cancellations of finalized shipments. When asked about the matter, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said they were unaware of such a decision.

Bloomberg identified PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC, Sinochem Group, and Zhejiang Petrochemical as regular fuel exporters contacted by AFP, though none commented on the reported suspension.

China has announced a 7 percent increase in its 2026 defense budget to accelerate military modernization. The announcement came on March 5 during the opening of the annual parliamentary session, where Premier Li Qiang said the country would strengthen war preparedness and enhance advanced military capabilities. Although this is the smallest increase in five years, it remains higher than most Asian nations’ defense growth rates.

Li Qiang stated that the measures aim to boost China’s strategic capacity to safeguard sovereignty, security, and development interests. The modernization plan includes developing new missiles, warships, submarines, and surveillance technologies, with a goal to fully modernize the armed forces by 2035. Analysts noted that China’s defense spending typically aligns with GDP growth and inflation. Beijing has also intensified anti-corruption efforts within the military, investigating senior generals such as Zhang Youxia and He Weidong.

Taiwan expressed concern that China’s large defense allocation amid weak economic conditions poses a threat, while Japan criticized the lack of transparency. A report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies said China accounted for 44 percent of Asia’s total defense spending in 2025, up from an average of 37 percent between 2010 and 2020.

China has expressed strong condemnation of the joint Israel–United States attack on Iran but is prioritizing its own strategic and energy interests over direct military support for Tehran. Analysts cited in the report say Beijing is unlikely to risk confrontation with Washington despite disruptions to oil imports. The conflict has raised fears of a global energy crisis, especially as shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz faces interruptions.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed full control of the waterway and continued missile and drone strikes across the Persian Gulf. China, heavily dependent on imported oil, has built large strategic reserves estimated at 1.2 billion barrels, enough to cover about 115 days of seaborne imports. Experts believe this stockpile will help China weather short-term supply shocks while focusing on upcoming diplomatic engagements, including a planned summit between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump on March 31.

Analysts add that Beijing views Iran as a strategic partner rather than a military ally and remains cautious about any action that could escalate tensions with the United States. The situation may benefit Russia as an alternative oil supplier if Middle Eastern flows are disrupted.

China has called on all parties involved in the Middle East conflict to maintain security in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil and gas transport. The appeal came after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced the closure of the strait on Saturday, prompting several international shipping companies to suspend operations in the area. During a regular press briefing on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged an immediate halt to military actions and warned against further escalation that could harm the global economy.

Mao emphasized that energy security is crucial for global economic stability and stated that China would take necessary measures to safeguard its own energy supply. The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly one-fourth of the world’s seaborne oil shipments, along with significant volumes of other goods. China is a major buyer of Iranian oil, most of which passes through this strategic waterway.

The statement underscores Beijing’s concern over potential disruptions to global energy flows and its commitment to protecting its national energy interests.

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched military actions against two of China’s close allies within two months, threatening Beijing’s vital oil supply routes. In January, the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and on Saturday, an airstrike killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Both Venezuela and Iran export most of their crude oil to China, accounting for about 15 percent of China’s total oil imports, according to analytics firm Kpler.

Rob Thummel, portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital, said China could be the main economic casualty of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, as it produces less oil than it consumes. He warned that while high prices could slow growth, actual supply disruptions pose a greater threat to China’s economy, which depends heavily on imported oil.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned the U.S.-Israeli aggression as unacceptable and denounced Washington’s role in Khamenei’s killing, though he avoided discussing the potential economic fallout. Tehran has announced the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and an oil tanker was attacked while violating sanctions, causing global oil prices to rise.

China has expressed firm support for Iran’s sovereignty and security as conflict spreads across the Middle East. According to state broadcaster CCTV, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed Beijing’s stance in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, emphasizing the historic friendship between the two nations. Wang said China fully supports Iran’s sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and national dignity, and will stand by Tehran to protect its legitimate rights and interests.

Wang Yi urged the United States and Israel to immediately halt their military operations, warning against further escalation and regional spillover. In a separate call with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, Wang accused Washington and Tel Aviv of violating the UN Charter and deliberately provoking conflict against Iran. He added that China is ready to play a constructive role through the UN Security Council to promote justice and end the war.

During another conversation with France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, Wang voiced concern over global instability, warning that the world risks returning to a “law of the jungle.” He stressed that Iran’s nuclear issue must be resolved politically and diplomatically, not through military means.

China has issued a strong condemnation following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint attack by the United States and Israel. The Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement on Sunday denouncing the assault and urging all parties to exercise restraint and immediately halt military operations.

In its statement, China described the US-Israel military action as a serious violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, as well as a breach of the principles of the United Nations Charter and the basic norms of international relations. The ministry’s remarks reflect Beijing’s opposition to unilateral military actions that undermine regional stability.

The statement underscores China’s call for de-escalation and adherence to international law amid rising tensions following the attack.

China on Sunday denounced the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli attacks on Tehran a day earlier. The Chinese Foreign Ministry described the killing as a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, issuing its statement on the social media platform X. It said the attack trampled on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms of international relations, adding that China firmly opposed and strongly condemned the act.

The ministry reiterated its call for an immediate end to military operations in the Middle East and urged a joint effort to maintain peace and stability both in the region and globally. Tehran announced Khamenei’s death early Sunday, declaring 40 days of public mourning across the country. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said he was killed at his office early Saturday and described his death as the beginning of a great uprising against the tyrants of the world.

US President Donald Trump had earlier written on his social media platform that Khamenei was dead, ahead of Tehran’s confirmation.

China’s Foreign Ministry has expressed deep concern following joint attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran on Saturday. The ministry called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that the strikes have plunged the Middle East into a new conflict. The statement emphasized that Iran’s national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity must be respected.

Beijing urged all parties to avoid further escalation and return to dialogue, stressing that the ongoing conflict poses a serious threat to regional stability. The ministry underscored the need for diplomatic efforts to calm the situation and prevent further deterioration.

The appeal comes amid reports of rising casualties in Iran, including deaths from strikes on schools and other locations, highlighting the growing humanitarian and security risks in the region.

China has removed 19 officials from its list of lawmakers ahead of the country’s most important annual political meeting scheduled for next week. The announcement was made by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the nation’s top legislative body. Among those removed are nine military officers, including Li Qiaoming, commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Ground Force, and former navy commander Shen Jinlong. Several provincial officials, including former Inner Mongolia party chief Sun Shaochong, were also excluded.

State media did not specify reasons for the removals. However, the move follows the recent dismissal of top general Zhang Youxia for “serious violations of discipline and law,” a phrase often associated with corruption cases. Since taking power in 2013, President Xi Jinping has intensified anti-corruption efforts, describing corruption as a major threat to the Communist Party.

The decision comes just before the “Two Sessions,” to be held in Beijing from March 4 to 11, where the government will outline policy priorities and economic targets for the year.

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.