HOT TOPICS
Trade barriers
China’s Ministry of Commerce launched two trade barrier investigations on Friday into U.S. practices that disrupt global industrial and supply chains, as well as those hindering green product trade. The reciprocal moves are a response to U.S. Section 301 probes and aim to defend China’s legitimate industrial interests, the ministry said.
BYD earnings
BYD Co. Ltd.’s revenue surpassed 800 billion yuan ($116 billion) for the first time in 2025, reaching 804 billion yuan. Overseas revenue accounted for nearly 40% of the total. While vehicle sales rose 6.9% to 4.54 million units and overseas exports surged 140% to more than 1 million, net profit declined 19% to 32.6 billion yuan. The company noted that the new-energy vehicle market has entered a cruel knockout stage amid white-hot competition.
SMIC allegations
China’s foreign ministry dismissed claims by a U.S. official that Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) had supplied chipmaking tools to the Iranian military. Spokesperson Lin Jian called the reports fake news.
EU delegation
A nine-member delegation led by the chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection will visit Beijing and Shanghai from Tuesday to Thursday to discuss digital economy issues.
NEWS SUMMARY
China accounted for 30% of global auto market share in the first two months of 2026, according to Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association.
WeChat will step up efforts to label independent content creators’ information sources to rectify fictional and AI-generated content.
China’s Ministry of National Defense sent a delegation to Europe for institutional dialogues.
Contact editor Lin Jinbing (jinbinglin@caixin.com)
