Newest trending China news today, July 20, 2025:
Published: July 20, 2025
As of today, China is at the center of major world events, with headlines ranging from geopolitics and climate emergency to energy dominance and tech governance. From the upcoming Xi–Trump summit to export bans on electric vehicle battery technology, the news offers an insight into Beijing's domestic agenda and international stance.
In this SEO-oriented news roundup, we break down the most popular China news stories dominating headlines today.
Xi Jinping and Donald Trump to Potentially Meet at APEC 2025 Summit
South China Morning Post says Chinese President Xi Jinping and United States President Donald Trump are in the process of arranging a bilateral meeting before or during the APEC summit in South Korea on October 30 to November 1, 2025.
This potential summit is a thaw in U.S.–China trade tensions and will probably cover issues like:
- Technology transfer policies
- Trade tariffs and sanctions
- Semiconductor and rare-earth supply chains
- Regional security in the South China Sea
Read More on Xi–Trump APEC Talks – Reuters
Typhoon Wipha Slams Hong Kong and South China with Highest Alert
Typhoon Wipha has triggered Hong Kong's highest storm warning signal (No. 10), causing widespread flight cancellations, business closures, and transport chaos in Guangdong and Fujian provinces.
Some of the major impacts:
- Over 300 flights canceled
- Shenzhen and Guangzhou train services suspended
- Disneyland Hong Kong closed
- Coastal towns evacuated as storm surges exceed 3 meters
Emergency services report widespread damage to infrastructure, roads, and power lines.
Read More on Typhoon Wipha – AP News
China Imposes New Export Controls on EV Battery Technology
China's Ministry of Commerce has quietly imposed export controls on key EV battery materials and process technologies, including:
- Cathode materials
- Lithium iron phosphate recipes
- High-energy-density cell designs
These controls require government permission for foreign transfers, cementing China's strategic dominance of the global electric vehicle (EV) supply chain.
Why it matters:
- European and U.S. EV supply chains at risk of disruption
- Lithium battery prices to surge globally
- Foreign firms may be forced to localize China production
More on EV Export Controls – WSJ
Rare-Earth Magnet Exports Spike After U.S. Truce – Briefly
China's rare-earth magnet exports soared by 200% in June 2025, thanks to a temporary easing of controls following trade de-escalation talks with the United States. Shipments to U.S. firms, however, are still 52% lower year-on-year, an indication of residual trade tension.
The magnets are critical to:
- Wind turbines
- EV motors
- Military aerospace systems
China has also released 2025 rare-earth mining quotas to only two state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This further tightens government control over an industry that is seen as critical to national security.
???? Read More on Rare-Earth Exports – WSJ
Beijing to Clamp Down on "Zero-Mileage" Used Car Sales
To combat exaggerated EV sales figures, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is preparing new rules to ban the resale of electric vehicles within 6 months of registration.
The crackdown will:
- Stop automakers from artificially boosting monthly sales
- Punish dealers taking advantage of the EV incentive system
- Increase transparency in vehicle ownership and resale information
Firms like BYD, Xpeng, and Chery are being investigated for compliance with upcoming policies.
Brahmaputra Mega-Dam Fuels India–China Tensions
China has started construction of a massive hydropower dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river (Brahmaputra) in Tibet, just 30 km from the Indian border. The move raises alarm in India about:
- Water diversion
- Manipulation of flood controls
- Disruption of the ecosystem and agriculture of Northeast India
Indian officials are demanding multilateral water-sharing pacts and environmental guarantees.
Summary Table – Trending China News (July 20, 2025)
| Topic | Headline |
|---|---|
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Diplomacy | Xi–Trump meeting likely at APEC Summit |
| Climate Crisis | Typhoon Wipha hits Hong Kong, Guangdong with top storm warning |
| Tech Policy | China restricts EV battery material exports |
| Energy & Trade Control | Boom in rare-earth magnet exports during trade truce |
| Auto Industry Crackdown | "Zero-mileage" EV resale restrictions revealed |
| Geopolitical Water Dispute | China's Brahmaputra dam triggers India-China tensions |
Final Thoughts
Today's top China news picks highlight Beijing's three-pronged strategy: tightening internal control, securing energy and tech dominance, and delicately managing foreign diplomacy. As the world awaits outcomes from a possible Xi–Trump meeting, industries from automotive to renewables will experience the ripple effects of China's policy shifts.
More daily China updates coming your way, right here.
Read More:
- EV Battery Export News – WSJ
- Typhoon Wipha Emergency – AP News
- Rare-Earth Market Shifts – WSJ
- Brahmaputra Dam Standoff – TOI
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