China

Xinhua | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Climate Change

A new study published in Nature Climate Change by scientists from Nanjing University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has found that abrupt and significant daily temperature fluctuations are increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change. These sharp temperature swings are becoming more extreme across low to mid-latitude regions, driven primarily by human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, as confirmed through optimal fingerprinting techniques.

Climate projections indicate that under a high-emissions scenario, the frequency of these sudden temperature changes could rise by approximately 17 percent and their intensity by 20 percent by 2100, impacting regions that house over 80 percent of the global population. The physical cause involves global warming worsening soil drought, increasing variability in sea-level pressure and soil moisture, which reduces land thermal capacity and intensifies fluctuations in cloud cover and solar radiation.

The study also highlights significant health risks linked to these abrupt temperature variations, including increased mortality from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, based on data from Jiangsu Province in China and the United States. The researchers call for global scientific recognition of extreme day-to-day temperature variability as a distinct type of extreme weather event, given its implications for public health and ecosystem stability.

海关总署原副署长孙玉宁被判13年

Beijing News | Local Language | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | Political Scandal or Corruption

On December 10, 2025, the Hefei Intermediate People’s Court sentenced former Deputy Director of the General Administration of Customs Sun Yuning to 13 years in prison and fined him RMB 4 million for bribery. Additionally, the bribery proceeds and accrued interest seized during the case, totaling over RMB 50.72 million, were ordered turned over to the state treasury, with any remaining amount to be recovered.

Between 2005 and 2024, Sun Yuning abused his multiple leadership roles within the customs system to assist organizations and individuals in business operations, project contracting, job promotions, and placements after transfer. He accepted substantial bribes directly or through others in exchange for these favors. Despite the severity of the crime, the court considered mitigating factors such as his confession, remorse, cooperation, and the recovery of most illicit gains when determining his sentence.

Sun Yuning was publicly tried on September 19, 2025, with evidence presented by the prosecution and cross-examined by the defense. He admitted guilt and expressed remorse in court. His investigation began on September 24, 2024, and he was expelled from the Communist Party and removed from office on March 14, 2025, following findings of serious misconduct including violation of Party regulations, abuse of power for personal gain, improper acceptance of gifts and travel, and unethical behavior combining money and sex.

Throughout his career, Sun held various key customs positions, culminating in his 2020 appointment as Deputy Director of the General Administration of Customs. The disciplinary actions against him were decided by the CPC Central Committee and the National Supervisory Commission, reflecting the gravity of his violations and their adverse impact.

China Daily | English | News | Dec. 12, 2025 | UndeterminedEconomic Growth

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised up its 2025 growth forecast for the Chinese mainland from 4.7 percent to 4.8 percent. This revision is based on stronger-than-expected GDP growth of 5.2 percent in the first three quarters of 2025 and new policy support measures. Net exports contributed significantly to growth, adding 1.5 percentage points, with exports rising 6.1 percent in US dollar terms and 8.3 percent in volume, driven mainly by non-US markets.

The easing of US-China trade tensions, export market diversification strategies, and China's strength in high-tech and new-energy products are expected to sustain export resilience in the fourth quarter. Additionally, policy support amounting to 1 trillion yuan ($141.6 billion) for investment and local governments is anticipated to offset domestic economic weaknesses. The ADB's 2026 growth forecast for China remains unchanged at 4.3 percent.

For developing Asia and the Pacific, the ADB also raised its growth outlook, projecting 5.1 percent growth in 2025 and 4.6 percent in 2026, increases of 0.3 and 0.1 percentage points, respectively. This revision reflects stronger-than-expected exports and reduced trade uncertainty following the conclusion of multiple trade agreements with the United States. Resilient consumption and robust exports—especially in electronics, semiconductors, and through export diversification—have sustained economic activity despite weaker investment and inventory destocking.

The ADB highlights that solid economic fundamentals underpin the region’s growth amid global trade uncertainties, which have been partly alleviated by new trade agreements. Continued efforts to promote open trade and investment are encouraged to maintain resilience and growth prospects for Asia and the Pacific.