China’s Diamond Chokepoint: Lab-Grown Gems Trap US Defense
China controls 98% of industrial diamonds, creating a hidden vulnerability in US military supply chains that rivals the rare earth crisis.
Economy & Trade
Astellas Defies Spy Fears with $157M China R&D Bet
Astellas opens its first China R&D center—a $157M bet on patient data and clinical speed, even after a detained employee spooked Tokyo.
Argentina Doubles Down on China’s $18.6B Yuan Lifeline
Argentina renewed its $18.6B yuan swap with China over blunt U.S. warnings, handing Beijing a win in its push to internationalize the yuan in Latin America.
China's Car Cull: 80% of Brands May Disappear
A 20% sales drop warning from Nio's Li Bin underscores a shakeout: overcapacity, profitless volumes, and soaring costs threaten 80% of China's auto brands.
China's AI Chip Exports Surge 111%, Defying Tariffs
AI infrastructure boom propels China to its largest trade surplus in months, with chip exports growing at their fastest pace since 2013.
How Chinese EVs Conquered Europe in 24 Months
Chinese EVs went from 'cheap copies' to outselling Tesla across Europe. The playbook: vertical integration plus software-defined vehicles, not just low price.
Why Chinese Households Won't Stop Saving
Analyzing the structural forces behind China's 300 trillion yuan deposit pile and what it means for global capital flows.