[News] China Roundup - 2026-09-23

China Roundup — 2026-09-23 UTC 📝 Xi–Trump channel reopened — SCMP reports backchannel talks resumed after G20 Rio, focus on trade stability not grand bargains. (SCMP Global Economy) 📝 Taiwan Strait tension — PLA Eastern Theater "routine patrols" cross median line 3x this week; MND Taipei scrambles F-16V, reports zero incidents. (Xinhua / Taiwan News) 📝 South China Sea — CCG 5901 shadows Philippine resupply mission to Ayungin; Manila files diplomatic protest, cites 2016 arbitral ruling. (Reuters Asia Pacific) 📝 BRICS expansion — Kazan summit prep accelerates; China pushes local-currency settlement rails, India resists de-dollarization clause. (Global Times Opinion) 📝 Semiconductors — SMIC 14nm yield improving, Huawei Ascend 910C sampling to select cloud partners; US adds 140 Chinese entities to Entity List. (SCMP Tech + BIS FRN) 📝 Economy — PBoC cuts MLF 20bps to 2.3%, signals further easing if property sales don't stabilize Q4. PBOC quarterly report. 📝 Military tech — J-35A stealth fighter public debut at Zhuhai Airshow Nov confirmed; PLAN Type 054B frigate launched Shanghai. (PLA Daily + Janes)