China

Peoples Daily | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | South China Sea

On January 12, 2026, the China Coast Guard vessel Fuying dismantled illegally planted fish traps near Xianbin Jiao in the South China Sea. These fish traps are characterized by buoyant materials such as tires, foam, or iron barrels visible above water, with ropes extending dozens to over a hundred meters deep, adorned with tree branches to attract fish.

The small above-water size of these traps makes them difficult to detect, but they pose significant risks to sailing, as their ropes and branches can entangle ship propellers. Additionally, the materials used in the traps release tiny particles that can be absorbed by fish, posing threats to marine life and the environment.

The China Coast Guard has pledged to continue vigilant patrols to identify and immediately dismantle illegal fish traps in the area to ensure the safety of navigation and protect the ecological health of waters under China's jurisdiction.

Jaw-Hwa International Patent & Trademark & Law Offices | English | AcademicThink | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedBizdev-Partnering

The Israel Patent Office (ILPO) and the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) established a Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) program, effective January 2, 2026, following a Memorandum of Understanding signed on November 17, 2025. This bilateral arrangement allows applicants with favorable examination results from either office to request accelerated examination at the other office.

To utilize the PPH between Taiwan and Israel, applications must share the same earliest filing date. The Israeli patent application must have at least one allowable claim, and all claims in the Taiwanese application must correspond to those allowable claims. Additionally, the Taiwanese application must not have received a first Office Action but must have a notice indicating that substantive examination will begin.

Required documents for a PPH request include ILPO office actions and their translations into Chinese or English, although applicants may omit these if accessible via the Israel Patents Search system. Translations of prior art references cited by ILPO are not necessary. Applicants must also submit a claim correspondence table mapping Taiwanese claims to allowable Israeli claims. Further inquiries can be directed to the provided email contact.

Xinhua | English | News | Jan. 23, 2026 | UndeterminedEconomic Growth

China's 2025 GDP growth demonstrated resilience amid global uncertainties, reflecting the early effects of a strategic economic rebalancing under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). Policymakers are shifting focus from pursuing headline growth figures to enhancing economic stability and balance by expanding domestic demand, investing in human capital, and promoting innovation. This approach prioritizes long-term resilience through targeted support rather than broad stimulus measures.

The central bank's recent cautious monetary easing and planned increased fiscal spending for 2026 underscore the government's commitment to sustainable development. Fiscal resources will be directed towards consumption, human capital investment, and livelihood protection, balancing current needs with medium- and long-term financial sustainability. External observers see this as a sign of China's strategic transformation toward economic maturity.

Structural rebalancing is central to the new economic direction, with domestic consumption and technological advancement replacing traditional growth drivers like investment and exports. The government plans to release a domestic demand expansion strategy for 2026-2030, emphasizing sectors such as elderly care, green technology, and cultural tourism. Innovation, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence, is expected to enhance productivity and drive future growth.

A strong emphasis is placed on investing in people, viewing human capital as essential to sustainable growth and innovation. Policies aim to increase household incomes, stabilize and improve employment quality, and leverage China’s vast pool of STEM graduates to transition from a "population dividend" to a "talent dividend." This focus on intrinsic economic stability through rebalancing is poised to shape China's development trajectory amid global complexities in 2026 and beyond.