#Official statement

The European Parliament voted on Wednesday for a significantly tougher China position, calling Beijing a decisive enabler of Russia and urging continuous European naval presence and joint exercises in and around the Taiwan Strait. The chamber also called for swift action to counter Beijing's industrial policy, which it described as an existential threat.

CCTV reported that a foreign warship lost power, propulsion and radar while aggressively shadowing a PLA Navy Type 055 destroyer Zunyi during routine training in the South China Sea. The Chinese account describes it as a rare encounter, resembling other incidents involving US Navy destroyers in the region this year.

Over 160,000 Hong Kong residents have registered for the joint clearance channel ahead of the revamped Huanggang border crossing's opening on Monday. Security Secretary Chris Tang said his bureau would activate its Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre, while a joint command centre will be established with Shenzhen authorities.

China's military has opened a new outpost at Ban Keun Airport in northwestern Laos, a site once used by the CIA's Air America during the Vietnam War. The base includes a 2,000-meter runway and parking for 22 aircraft, and began operations on September 29 according to China's Defense Ministry. Analysts downplay the threat to U.S. forces, noting the runway is not positioned as a dagger pointed at any target and questioning its operational necessity.

Flavio Bolsonaro said he would work with both China and the United States if he becomes Brazil's president, rejecting the idea of picking sides. He stated his side would be the Brazilian people whether dealing with China, Israel, the Middle East, Argentina or India. The comment came after a surprise election performance positioned him among conservative leaders pushing Latin America closer to Washington.

The US State Department moved Hong Kong from Tier 2 Watch List to Tier 3 in its 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, citing shortcomings in prosecutions and victim identification. Hong Kong's government rejected the assessment as entirely unfounded. The downgrade places Hong Kong alongside mainland China and Macau among 20 countries and territories at the lowest tier.

The People's Bank of China announced adjustments to several structural monetary policy tools on Tuesday, a day after the State Council Executive Meeting stated that "practical additional policies should be introduced" to support the economy. The Ministry of Finance was also mentioned in connection with the policy support measures. The announcement came as China began its long National Day holiday.