Trade

Deniliquin rice mill cuts jobs amid drought and policy issues.

SunRice cut jobs at the Deniliquin rice mill due to lower production.

China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning spotlights AI with 500+ products

China Aviation Association releases a report showing aviation logistics growth to new highs and major milestones for 2025.

At the three-day China Aviation Association conference, the release of the China Air Transport Development (2026) report shows aviation logistics in China reaching new highs, with 2025 marking a historic leap: cargo and mail throughput reached 1017.2 ten-thousand tons (up 13.3% year-on-year), and international routes accounted for 440.25 ten-thousand tons (up 22.1%), over 40% of total freight. The industry also opened 252 new cargo routes (214 international), deployed 272 all-cargo aircraft, widened wide-body share to 22%, and 24 key airport logistics hubs accounted for over 85% of national airport cargo; experts say the sector is evolving from expansion to higher-quality efficiency, with emphasis on matching supply and demand and advancing digitalization and information interconnectivity.

People's Bank of China and Bank of Laos jointly launch cross-border digital payment interconnection under bilateral financial cooperation framework.

The People’s Bank of China and the Bank of Laos jointly launched cross-border digital payment interconnection in Nanning, Guangxi on September 18. Attended by PBOC Deputy Governor Lu Lei and Bank of Laos Deputy Governor Surisak Samnuon, the move advances bilateral financial cooperation under a June framework MoU on financial innovation, digital payments, and legal digital currency.

140th Canton Fair to run Oct 15–Nov 4 in Guangzhou

China reports foreign direct investment of 479.95 billion yuan for January-August 2026

China's Ministry of Commerce announced that the country utilized 479.95 billion yuan in foreign capital between January and August 2026. While the total figure represents a 5.3% year-on-year decline, investment in high-tech industries grew by 35.1%.

Zipline’s valuation could nearly triple as drone delivery rules remain unsettled

Zipline’s valuation could nearly triple as drone delivery rules remain unsettled.

Virginia unveils plans to ban non-disclosure agreements and impose clean energy mandates on data center projects

Virginia announced plans to ban non-disclosure agreements and impose clean energy mandates on data center projects.

The 23rd China-ASEAN Expo emphasizes building the 3.0 version of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and accelerating cooperation in digital economy, green low-carbon initiatives, and AI

The 23rd China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning focuses on building the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 and accelerating cooperation in digital economy, green low-carbon initiatives, and AI. Over 3,400 domestic and foreign enterprises participated, signaling strong confidence in China-ASEAN cooperation, as trade and partnership moves continue to grow and key infrastructure links progress.

CATL and DHL sign a pact to advance road freight electrification in Europe

CATL and DHL signed a pact to advance road freight electrification in Europe.

Foton Automotive unveils European market strategy, planning to localize products and ecosystems in Europe

On September 14 at the Hannover IAA Commercial Vehicles show, Foton Automotive unveiled its European market strategy to localize products and ecosystems. The company announced its global 13 millionth vehicle delivery with the Om Man Galaxy 9, which had been tested in Spain, and outlined targets to reach 50% new energy vehicle sales and 40% internationalization by 2030, with Europe defined as a core hub under an 'In Europe, for Europe' approach.

Delta expands schedules with new routes to Philadelphia and Monterey and increases Los Angeles departures

Delta Air Lines opened new routes to Philadelphia and Monterey as part of its major LAX expansion.

Yunnan hosts the 2026 Huashang Gathering in Kunming to attract Chinese businessmen globally and promote investment.

The 2026 Huashang Gathering in Kunming, hosted by Yunnan Province, aims to attract Chinese businessmen globally and promote investment, with the event having built a linkage between Yunnan and global Chinese business networks. Over the past three years, it has drawn about 600 Chinese business leaders from nearly 50 countries/regions, and in 2025 hosted numerous investment and promotion activities across more than 40 countries. The 2026 edition will run September 20–24 with about 150华商侨领 from over 30 countries/regions, featuring multiple investment promotion events and business excursions in Yunnan.

Yunnan province passed a regulation to promote border trade services and protection.

China News: Yunnan province’s Standing Committee approved the Yunnan Jinping Miao, Yi, Zhuang autonomous county Border民互市 Trade Services and Safeguards Regulation, the first standalone regulation nationwide to promote border民互市 trade. The regulation, consisting of 21 provisions, aims to improve infrastructure, streamline customs, and enhance dispute resolution and security; Jinping County plans 2025 border民互市 trade to reach 5.82 billion yuan.

Audi blocks China-exclusive E5 Sportback and E7X from Germany

Shipowners order over 200 supertankers as trade routes shift

Shandong local government departments provide services to help companies expand into international markets.

Shandong local governments and foreign affairs offices helped three companies from Zibo and Binzhou expand overseas, transforming from domestic producers to export-oriented firms. The firms, including Heishan Glass and Mengyou New Materials in Zibo and Meichu Kitchen in Binzhou, benefited from government-backed international trade platforms and streamlined approvals, with substantial export activity and planned growth through 2026. The Zibo foreign affairs platform has facilitated thousands of contacts and hundreds of agreements, while Meichu Kitchen targets a wide overseas market with multiple international certifications.

Analysis shows India has historically aligned oil import policies with US sanctions to protect trade interests.

India has historically complied with US sanctions on oil imports.

Australia tightens working holiday-maker visa rules and cuts numbers

China's Market Regulator Intercepts 37,000 Non-Compliant Power Banks

Eight national economic and technological development zones establish the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor Industrial Park Alliance in Nanning

The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor Industrial Park Alliance was established by 8 national economic and technological development zones on September 18, 2026.

China's Ministry of Commerce reported that January-August imports grew 22% year-on-year

China's Ministry of Commerce reported a 22% year-on-year increase in imports for the January-August period.

Nanjing Port launches new container shipping route to North Africa

Nanjing Port opened a new container shipping route to North Africa on September 18, 2026.

Pinglu Canal Officially Opens to Navigation in Guangxi

The 134.2-km-long Pinglu Canal officially opened to navigation on September 16, connecting the Xijiang River waterway to the Beibu Gulf. The project is designed to reduce logistics costs for bulk cargo and improve regional transport efficiency by providing a shorter route to the sea.

Six departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued guidelines on promoting the high-quality development of historical and classic industries.

Six departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued guidelines on promoting the high-quality development of historical and classic industries on August 28.

China-ASEAN cross-border industrial chain matchmaking event opens in Nanning

The China-ASEAN Artificial Intelligence Industry Innovation Center in Guangxi officially started operations.

Ministry of Commerce forecasts that China's annual import value will reach a new high

The Ministry of Commerce forecasted that the annual import value is expected to reach a new high.

Lonely Kids Club owner shares method to remove copyright copies from Temu

Taicang Port exported 920,000 vehicles in the first eight months

Taicang Port exported 920,000 vehicles in the first eight months of 2026.

Ningxia agricultural and fishery products reached 267 million yuan in intentional orders in Xiamen

Ningxia agricultural and fishery enterprises signed intentional deals worth 2.67 billion yuan with buyers in Xiamen on September 18, 2026.

EU reportedly requests voluntary export limits on Chinese hybrid vehicles

Gansu Minqin county ships its first batch of melons to Kazakhstan via highway-air intermodal transport

Gansu Minqin county exported its first batch of melons to Kazakhstan via highway-air intermodal transport.

Shanxi Lvliang enterprise exports sea buckthorn juice to the United States for the first time

A Shanxi Lvliang enterprise exported over 400 pieces of sea buckthorn juice to the United States.

First river-sea direct shipping route vessel docks at Hainan Yangpu Port

The first river-sea direct route vessel docked at Hainan Yangpu Port on September 18.

Chengdu International Railway Port launches new air-rail intermodal freight route to Central Asia

Chengdu International Railway Port opened an air-rail intermodal freight route connecting Southeast Asia to Central Asia.

Heyuan Customs reports Heyuan's computer and parts exports grew 58.6% year-on-year in the first eight months of 2026

Heyuan Customs reported that Heyuan's computer and parts exports grew 58.6% year-on-year in the first eight months of 2026.

Semicon India 2026 Conference Held in New Delhi

Canadian investors record record net selling of US stocks in July

Canadian investors net sold 31 billion Canadian dollars of US stocks in July.

Yueyang Sanhe Airport officially starts normalized operations for international all-cargo air routes

Yueyang Sanhe Airport has stably opened three international all-cargo routes to Hanoi, Dhaka, and Bangkok. Yueyang Customs supervised 48 inbound and outbound aircraft and achieved an import and export cargo value of 1.5 billion yuan.

Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department releases external merchandise trade statistics for July 2026 showing volume and price increases

Hong Kong's overall export and import merchandise volumes increased by 31.6% and 23.6% year-on-year in July 2026.

An Australian and Oceania business association delegation visits Hohhot to promote economic and trade cooperation.

A 13-member joint delegation visited Hohhot for economic and trade exchanges from September 17 to 18.

Ningxia railway department optimizes transport capacity and express services, boosting tourism and agricultural shipments.

Ningxia's annual high-speed rail agricultural product shipping volume reached 1030 tons.

People's Daily published a commentary rejecting US allegations of industrial-scale AI distillation by Chinese companies

People's Daily published a commentary rejecting US allegations of industrial-scale AI distillation.

South Korea and Indonesia agree to expand partnerships in halal certification

South Korea and Indonesia agreed to expand partnerships in halal certification on September 18, 2026.

The EU implements a new import processing fee for small packages from international online retailers

The EU introduced a new processing fee for the import of small packages from foreign online retailers.

China promotes agricultural technology cooperation in Fiji and Madagascar

The China-Fiji Juncao Technology Demonstration Center has trained more than 2,900 local technicians.

Prometheum Capital signs binding MOU with HashKey Digital Asset Group and Velocity Capital

Prometheum Capital signed a binding memorandum of understanding with HashKey Digital Asset Group and Velocity Capital on September 16, 2026.

US DFC approves $500 million in guarantees to boost US exports to emerging markets

US DFC approved $500 million in guarantees to boost US exports to emerging markets.

The European Union announces plans to create a climate insurance alliance to cover extreme weather risks

The European Union announced the creation of a climate insurance alliance to increase coverage for extreme weather events. Only a quarter of climate-related economic losses in the EU are insured according to block figures.

Korea Testing Certification signed an MOU with Kyrgyzstan's Halal Industry Development Center for halal certification cooperation.

KTC signed an MOU with Kyrgyzstan's Halal Industry Development Center on September 16 to cooperate on halal certification.

Hong Kong unveiled its first five-year plan for economic and social development to broaden equity markets and deepen offshore yuan business.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu unveiled Hong Kong's first five-year plan for economic and social development.

Korea Ocean Business Corporation launches an annual 120 billion won investment program for icebreaking vessels.

Korea Ocean Business Corporation established a 120 billion won annual investment program for ice-class vessels.

US President Trump threatens tariffs over EU-Canada associate membership proposal

DFS clarifies no US pressure on UPI MDR decision

EU considers associate membership for Canada, prompting warm responses

United States approves F-35 fighter jet sale to Saudi Arabia

World Data Organization Establishes China-ASEAN Data Cooperation Committee

Singapore reports 46.2% surge in August exports