Xi urges China to boost basic research and innovation capacity (Reuters)

Xi Jinping called for greater efforts to strengthen basic ‌research and raise China's original innovation capacity, state media reported, as the global race to dominate frontier technologies such as AI intensifies. He urged the country to improve top-level design for basic research, build talent, raise the share of funding devoted to the field and deepen international cooperation, including on climate change, energy, the environment, and health. (26/04/30) 

China penalizes 56 provincial, ministerial-level officials in Q1 anti-graft drive (People’s Daily)

A total of 56 Chinese officials at the provincial and ministerial level received penalties in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026 in the country's anti-corruption fight. They were among a total of 183,000 people penalized nationwide in the first quarter of the year, according to a report released by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China and the National Commission of Supervision. From January to March, discipline inspection and supervision agencies across the country filed 245,000 cases. (26/04/23)

Top financial regulator gets demoted (Trivium China)

China's top financial regulator, Li Yunze, has been demoted on grounds of suspected disciplinary violation. The 55-year-old oversaw thousands of financial firms including banks, insurers and trust firms in the country's $79 trillion financial sector as the head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA). Allegedly, Li will now take up a mid-level position at the financial regulator. The news on Li comes a week after state news agency Xinhua reported that Zhou Liang had been removed as NFRA deputy head. Zhou had been under investigation over a suspected violation of law and discipline. (26/04/29)

Pfizer GLP-1 weight loss drug available for pre-order in China (Reuters)

Pfizer’s GLP-1 weight management treatment Xianweiying is now available for pre-order in China, ramping up competition with rivals in a market estimated to be worth billions of dollars. A 1.2 ml Xianweiying injector pen with shipping beginning on April 27 costs 489 yuan ($72), according to one listing on a platform from JD.com reviewed by Reuters. (26/04/22)

China's youth jobless rate rises to 16.9% in March (Reuters)

The jobless rate in China for people under 30 in urban areas, excluding college students, rose in March. In the youngest segment surveyed, those aged 16 to 24, the jobless rate rose to 16.9% from 16.1% a month earlier, reversing a downward trend ‌that started in September last year. Among 25- to 29-year-olds, excluding students, the unemployment rate climbed to 7.7% from 7.2% in February. (26/04/21)