China’s National Bureau of Statistics released key economic indicators for the first three quarters of 2026 on Tuesday, showing the economy grew 4.6 percent year-on-year, with total GDP reaching approximately 107.1 trillion yuan. The data comes as the 140th Canton Fair’s first phase concluded, with products related to computing power and energy storage attracting significant attention from international buyers.

Beijing Condemns Japanese Officials’ Yasukuni Shrine Actions

The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a strong condemnation regarding Japanese political figures’ actions at the Yasukuni Shrine. In response to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sending an offering and multiple lawmakers visiting the shrine, a spokesperson stated that China “severely condemns” these negative moves and solemnly demands that Japan face history squarely, reflect on its war responsibilities, and stop its retrogressive actions on historical issues.

New Policies Announced in Healthcare and Education

Several new policies affecting daily life were announced. The upgraded “Medical Insurance Wallet 2.0” has been fully launched nationwide, allowing employees’ medical insurance personal accounts to be used by close relatives across provincial borders — a significant step for improving healthcare convenience. In education, the Office of the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council announced a pilot program allowing professional master’s and doctoral students in five fields — translation, agriculture, clinical medicine, accounting, and arts — to apply for degrees based on practical achievements rather than purely academic theses.

Regulators Move to Support Economy and Stabilize Markets

Financial regulators announced measures to support the economy and stabilize markets. The People’s Bank of China outlined plans to introduce tools to manage liquidity risks and expand the scope of its Standing Lending Facility. Additionally, the China Securities Regulatory Commission approved the registration of the first batch of 18 active ETFs and released new rules to tighten penalties for illegal share reductions.

Anti-Corruption, Technology and Infrastructure Developments

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection announced disciplinary actions against three senior officials, including Zhang Jianlong, former head of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, who was expelled from the Party. In technology, Chinese scientists unveiled the world’s lightest wireless mesoscope, weighing only 1 gram, which can record neural activity in the mouse brain at single-cell resolution. On infrastructure, the “15th Five-Year Plan” period will see the full connection of three major national highway corridors — G219, G331, and G228 — to form a “Golden Outer Ring” along China’s borders and coastlines.