China Maintains Iranian Oil Imports Through Backdoor Trade Routes
The Epoch Times reports that the conflict involving Iran has disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy chokepoint. Despite these risks, China has continued importing Iranian crude oil through alternative “backdoor” channels using gray-market trade networks. Sources cited in the report claim that, despite the ongoing military conflict, shipments of Iranian oil to Chinese ports in provinces such as Shandong and Zhejiang have remained steady.
Iran’s Jask Port plays a central role in this arrangement. Located outside the Strait of Hormuz, the port enables oil shipments to bypass heavily monitored maritime routes. According to the report, China supported the construction of a strategic pipeline stretching approximately 1,000 kilometers from Goreh to Jask, allowing Iran to export oil directly via the Gulf of Oman. This infrastructure is described as part of a broader contingency strategy designed to ensure continued energy flows under conditions of heightened sanctions or military conflict.
Shipping data cited in the report indicates that a network of so-called “shadow tankers” has been operating in the Gulf of Oman, often disabling tracking systems and conducting ship-to-ship transfers to obscure the origin of the oil. According to maritime analytics firm Kpler, Iran’s oil exports have remained resilient, averaging about 2.1 million barrels per day since the outbreak of hostilities—slightly higher than pre-conflict levels.
Source: Epoch Times, March 13, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/3/13/n14718099.htm
Ten Chinese Technicians Reportedly Killed and Over 300 Trapped in Iran
Exiled Chinese democracy activist Sheng Xue has alleged that three Chinese technicians from the China Electronics Technology Group’s 14th Research Institute were killed in Iran during recent military strikes. According to her claims, the individuals included a senior director in his 50s and two others in their 40s. The institute, based in Nanjing, is a major center for China’s radar development and has contributed to key national defense and infrastructure projects. It is also reportedly involved in producing air defense radar systems supplied to Iran. The three technicians were said to be working on radar systems designed to detect advanced stealth aircraft such as the U.S. F-35.
Sheng also claimed that seven technicians from Chinese drone manufacturer DJI were killed in the same conflict. In addition, she alleged that between 300 and 400 Chinese experts and technical personnel are currently trapped in underground military facilities in Iran, with their status unknown. These claims suggest a potentially broader Chinese technical presence in Iran tied to defense and military-related projects.
Separately, former Shanghai entrepreneur Hu Liren has made similar claims on social media, stating that at least ten Chinese military experts have died in Iran and that Chinese authorities are attempting to conceal the information.
These reports remain unverified.
Source: Epoch Times, March 20, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/26/3/19/n14723005.htm
China’s Communist Party Journal Calls for Combating “Negative Narratives” on Chinese Economy
A commentary published in Qiushi, the official theoretical journal of the Chinese Communist Party, has urged authorities to actively counter what it describes as false narratives about the Chinese economy spread by “anti-China forces,” while shaping what it calls the international community’s “correct understanding” of China’s economic prospects.
The article, titled “Continuously Doing Good Work on Stabilizing Expectations,” argues that expectation management is a critical component of macroeconomic governance, and that the Party leadership places great importance on strengthening related mechanisms. It warns that both domestic and foreign narratives that “talk down” the Chinese economy have misled producers and consumers, undermining the effectiveness of macroeconomic policy. “Confidence is more important than gold,” the piece states, calling for a positive cycle linking stable expectations, stronger confidence, and economic stability.
The commentary calls on government departments across China to respond promptly to public concerns, improve communication with businesses, and ensure policy information reaches the market clearly and proactively. It also urges adherence to “correct public opinion guidance” and innovation in economic messaging to “sing the bright future of the Chinese economy.”
The article warns that as China’s economy becomes more deeply integrated with the world, international opinion increasingly shapes domestic sentiment. It claims that anti-China forces are deliberately spreading variations of “China collapse” and “China threat” theories, and that failing to counter these narratives could dampen expectations among global markets, foreign companies, and foreign investors — and eventually filter back into domestic confidence.
The piece concludes by calling for stronger external propaganda efforts to proactively set agendas and rebut claims such as “China’s economy has peaked,” “China’s overcapacity,” and “foreign capital is leaving China.”
Notably, China’s annual parliamentary sessions this year set the economic growth target at 4.5 to 5 percent, a slight reduction from the approximately 5 percent targets of recent years.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), March 17, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202603170100.aspx
Serbia Confirms Purchase of Chinese Supersonic Missiles
According to a report by Sputnik News, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić confirmed that Serbia has purchased Chinese CM-400AKG supersonic air-to-ground ballistic missiles as part of a broader military modernization program. The announcement followed the release of media photos showing Serbian fighter jets equipped with the Chinese missiles. Vučić said the weapons were recently acquired for Serbia’s air force and are part of a national defense upgrade plan valued at about $17 billion.
The missiles are reportedly mounted on Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jets, which currently form the backbone of the Serbian Air Force. The CM-400AKG, developed by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), can carry a 150-kg explosive warhead or a 200-kg penetrator warhead and has a maximum range of about 400 kilometers. Vučić said Serbia already possesses a significant number of these missiles and may purchase additional units, describing them as expensive but highly effective.
Serbian officials say the defense upgrade is partly driven by perceived regional security threats. Vučić referenced what he described as a growing military alignment among Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo, which Serbia views as a potential challenge to its security environment. While emphasizing that Serbia does not intend to attack NATO members, Vučić suggested the country is strengthening its defense capabilities in response to regional tensions and uncertainty.
Source: Sputnik News, March 15, 2026
https://sputniknews.cn/20260315/1070247308.html
Open-Source AI “OpenClaw” Goes Viral in China but Raises Security and Cost Concerns
Open-source AI software OpenClaw—nicknamed “Little Lobster” because of its lobster icon—has recently become a viral trend on Chinese social media and technology communities. Originally developed by Austrian engineer Peter Steinberger and released in November 2025, OpenClaw functions as an AI agent capable of autonomously completing tasks once authorized by the user, such as reading documents, searching for information, writing code, and sending emails. Because of these capabilities, many engineers view it as a type of “digital worker.” Major Chinese cloud providers, including Tencent Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, and Baidu AI Cloud, have already launched deployment services for the platform.
The surge in popularity has been amplified by major Chinese technology companies, smartphone manufacturers, and even local governments promoting the technology. Several local governments have introduced incentives to encourage adoption, including subsidies, computing resources, and free deployment support. For example, local authorities in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, and Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, have launched policy packages offering subsidies of up to 5 million yuan (US$720,000) to support development related to the technology. The trend has also gained traction online, with discussions about government officials experimenting with the system becoming a popular topic on social media.
However, the rapid enthusiasm has also raised concerns. Chinese authorities have issued warnings that OpenClaw could pose cybersecurity risks, including potential vulnerabilities to cyberattacks and data leaks. Users and industry observers have also complained about unexpectedly high operating costs. Running open-source AI agents like OpenClaw typically requires dedicated servers operating continuously, along with substantial computing resources and API usage fees. Some early adopters have reported large bills and technical problems such as accidental data deletion and privacy risks, leading some users to abandon the system despite the initial hype.
Source: Epoch Times, March 15, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/3/13/n14717851.htm
China Moves to Expand and Politicize Social Work Workforce
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has issued a new directive aimed at strengthening its grassroots social governance by building up a professional social work force with stronger Party oversight. On March 1, the CCP Central Committee and the State Council released a policy document titled “Opinions on Advancing the Development of Professional Social Workers,” marking the latest initiative from the Central Social Work Department, established in 2023. The move also responds to goals outlined in China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) to improve the professionalism of social workers.
The document contains six sections and 11 measures, covering four key areas: strengthening ideological and political guidance, improving professionalization, deepening professional training, and enhancing social work education. A central theme is expanding Party influence within social work institutions, with authorities pledging to accelerate the formation of Party organizations inside social service agencies to improve both Party organizational reach and the quality of its work.
On the professional development front, the document calls for clearly defining job roles and standards for social workers in public services and social governance, while also cultivating new fields and service models to create employment growth in the sector. Social organizations, businesses, and eligible government bodies are all encouraged to establish dedicated social work positions.
The directive comes despite ongoing fiscal pressures across many Chinese localities, where civil servants and doctors have reportedly faced pay cuts. Last year’s national fiscal work conference emphasized protecting basic spending on livelihoods, salaries, and operations. Nevertheless, the document pushes for expanding the capacity of social work.
The stated goal is that within approximately five years, the social work profession will see a more balanced structure, significantly improved professionalization, a larger pool of high-level talent, and steady growth in the number of social work positions nationwide.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), March 15, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202603150097.aspx
China Reportedly Moving to Reassert Influence Over North Korea
Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported that China is seeking to reassert its influence over North Korea after several years during which Pyongyang deepened its ties with Russia. Beijing is reportedly expanding economic engagement and cross-border cooperation in an effort to draw North Korea more firmly back into its sphere of influence. Analysts cited in the report say China hopes that stronger economic ties will increase Pyongyang’s dependence on Beijing.
Recent diplomatic exchanges suggest a gradual warming of relations between the two countries. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Beijing with an economic delegation to attend a military parade hosted by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, while Chinese Premier Li Qiang later traveled to Pyongyang, signaling renewed high-level political engagement. Economic cooperation has also increased, with cross-border trade recovering significantly after pandemic-era restrictions. China remains North Korea’s largest trading partner, and Chinese exports to North Korea reportedly reached about $2.3 billion last year, the highest level in several years. Business activity has also been picking up in the Chinese border city of Dandong, a key gateway for trade with North Korea. Local traders and logistics companies there have reported rising cross-border shipments and renewed commercial exchanges, suggesting that economic links between the two countries are gradually being restored.
Source: RFI, March 12, 2026
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/中国/20260312-中国正重新加强对朝鲜的控制，金正恩准备接受了吗
AI Mining: The U.S. and China Race for Africa’s Minerals
Artificial intelligence is transforming the global mining industry, and both the United States and China are now deploying AI-powered mining technologies across Africa, competing for access to the continent’s vast mineral wealth.
Chinese firm DeepVein Holdings has emerged as a leading player in AI mining, currently operating in five African countries — Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Tanzania. The company’s chairman, Feng Yunduan, explained that shallow, easily accessible mineral deposits are increasingly exhausted, forcing the industry into deeper, more dangerous, and geographically challenging terrain. To address this, DeepVein deploys fleets of robotic “machine dogs” that autonomously handle drilling, sample decomposition, and precision extraction — eliminating the need for human workers in high-risk environments such as high-altitude plateaus, extreme deserts, and tropical rainforests. This approach has also slashed soil sampling timelines from several months to just a few weeks.
On the American side, KoBold Metals — backed by billionaires including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, and widely regarded as the global leader in AI-driven mineral exploration — has invested over $200 million in mining high-grade copper at Mingomba, Zambia. The company is also expanding its exploration into Namibia and is currently the largest American enterprise operating in Zambia.
A key driver behind China’s push into African mining is the depletion of domestic mineral resources. Fu Xiaofang, a senior engineer at the Sichuan Provincial Comprehensive Geological Survey and Research Institute, noted that easily discoverable deposits in China have largely been exhausted, and even open-pit mining has become prohibitively expensive. Lithium deposits in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Sichuan, for instance, are mostly located above 4,000 meters in altitude, making extraction enormously costly due to extreme cold, low oxygen, and intense ultraviolet radiation.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), March 15, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202603150193.aspx