Latest China News Today – Suspension of CATL Mine, Xinjiang–Tibet Railway, $167B Hydropower Project, AI Chip Agreement, and Tensions in Taiwan Strait

Latest China News Today – Suspension of CATL Mine, Xinjiang–Tibet Railway, $167B Hydropower Project, AI Chip Agreement, and Tensions in Taiwan Strait


Date: August 11, 2025

Introduction – Latest China News Headlines Today

The latest China news today offers significant updates on China's energy, infrastructure, tech, and geopolitics. Ranging from the CATL suspension of lithium mining to constructions of a strategic Xinjiang–Tibet railway, and from a \\$167 billion hydropower megaproject to new AI chip trade deals, China continues to be in the news worldwide. Moreover, rising tensions over Taiwan with the Philippines heighten current regional tensions.


CATL Halts Jiangxi Lithium Mine Operations – China Energy News

China's gigantic electric vehicle battery producer, Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd. (CATL), has halted production at its Jianxiawo lithium mine in Jiangxi province for at least three months. Allied lithium refineries in Yichun are also impacted.

The move comes after a global lithium demand that's at record levels following a boom in electric vehicle manufacturing. The action is warned against by analysts as possibly contracting supply and exerting upward pressure on lithium prices across the world, affecting the competitiveness of China's battery industry.

Full report – Reuters


China Begins Xinjiang–Tibet Railway Construction – China Infrastructure News

China has started building the Xinjiang–Tibet railway, a high-altitude transport corridor connecting two of China's most geographically isolated and strategically valuable areas. The line runs near Ladakh, a contested border area with India.

The construction project will further enhance both military mobility and economic integration, supporting China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) goals. India, however, will likely remain skeptical of the project due to security issues.

Read more – Times of India


China Begins $167 Billion Yarlung Tsangpo Hydropower Project – China Development News

On a big step towards energy independence, China has begun construction of a run-of-the-river hydropower plant on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. The \\$167 billion project will have three times the output of the Three Gorges Dam.

While the Chinese government claims it as a green energy revolution, environmentalists and neighboring nations India and Bangladesh have raised concern regarding its environmental implications and ownership of downstream water flows.

Read more – Wall Street Journal


Nvidia & AMD Agree to 15% AI Chip Revenue Share on China Sales – China Technology News

In a major upgrade to U.S.–China technology trade dynamics, chipmakers Nvidia and AMD will collect 15% of their AI chip sales revenue from China as payment to the U.S. government under a fresh deal.

The pact allows such exporters to continue selling AI processors to China under revised U.S. export regulations. The pact is during a period of fierce competition in the worldwide AI hardware market, with China being among the leading buyers.

Learn more – Washington Post


Philippines Threatens to Be Drawn into War with Taiwan – China Geopolitics News

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that the Philippines would be a part of any future Taiwan conflict by default. He spoke about the Philippines' proximity to Taiwan and that there are nearly 200,000 Filipino workers there as chief reasons.

China quickly condemned the announcement, accusing Manila of undermining the One China policy and fomenting regional tensions in the South China Sea.

Read more – AP News


Conclusion – What Today's China News Means for the World

The headlines China news today show a nation driving forward aggressive infrastructure and energy projects in the face of complex trade deals and rising regional tensions. The stoppage at the CATL lithium mine affects global battery production, while the Xinjiang–Tibet railway link and Yarlung Tsangpo hydropower project demonstrate China's infrastructure prowess. Meanwhile, the Nvidia–AMD AI chip deal shows evolving technology trade, and the Taiwan–Philippines tensions reveal ongoing geopolitical risks across East Asia.

For more China news updates, read our daily coverage of politics, economy, tech, and world affairs.



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