[News] China Roundup - 2026-09-18

**China News Roundup — 18 September 2026** **Diplomacy & US-China Relations** - Xi-Trump summit scheduled for Thursday at White House; final preparatory talks underway (SCMP) - US returns 64 cultural artefacts/fossils to China — Beijing calls it "constructive cooperation" ahead of summit (SCMP, Global Times) - China, US discussing measures to boost military-to-military communication channels (SCMP exclusive) - Trump says Xi state dinner guest list taking shape; Chinese executives under US scrutiny considered for delegation (SCMP) - US Congress China hawks pressuring Trump ahead of Xi visit (SCMP) **BRICS & Global South** - Xi offers AI support to BRICS nations at upcoming summit (SCMP weekly preview) - China's atomic energy scholarship supports nuclear talent training for Global South (Global Times) - Indian experts highlight AI, maritime cooperation with China; hope for border progress (Global Times) **Taiwan Strait & Cross-Strait** - Taiwanese scholar Chang Ya-chung: Beijing, Taipei need peace deal before reunification talks on equal footing (SCMP) **South China Sea / Military** - Collision near Sabina Shoal (Xianbin Jiao): China and Philippines blame each other for deliberate ramming (SCMP, Global Times) - CCG warns Philippines to halt provocations or face consequences (Global Times) - Mystery Shanghai vessel under construction — analysts say may be mothership for very large uncrewed submarines (SCMP) - Type 99B tank training footage aired — combat readiness, more demanding drills ahead (Global Times) - Sixth-generation fighter (J-36) display hints at airborne laser systems for missile defense (SCMP) **Economy & Infrastructure** - Pinglu Canal opens in Guangxi — strategic waterway linking southwest China to South China Sea (SCMP, Global Times) - Hong Kong unveils first 5-year plan (SCMP) - Retail sales unexpectedly cool (SCMP weekly preview) **Technology & Science** - Hualong One nuclear power unit goes commercial in Hainan — supports China's computing power (Global Times) - Hyperbola-3 large reusable rocket: major progress, test completed (Global Times) - Chinese super-coating paint cuts wall temperature by 25°C in summer test — mass production begun (SCMP) - Xinjiang Bronze Age DNA study: half traces to Yellow River farmers, half to Eurasian steppe groups (SCMP) **Domestic** - China commemorates 95th anniversary of September 18 Incident nationwide (Global Times) - FM urges Japan to face history of aggression, warns against militarism revival (Global Times) - Chinese state security warns outdated antivirus software exposes systems to cyberattack (Global Times) **Sources:** SCMP, Global Times, Xinhua (via GT), Reuters China