Xi Jinping Outlines China’s Maritime Ambitions in Party Journal
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has published a signed article in the Communist Party journal Qiushi calling for China to become a strong maritime power through the high-quality development of its ocean economy. According to Xinhua, the article — titled “Promoting High-Quality Development of the Marine Economy” — is scheduled for official publication tomorrow.
Xi argued that advancing “Chinese-style modernization” requires the “efficient development and utilization of the ocean,” and that China must forge its own path toward maritime strength with distinctly Chinese characteristics. He emphasized the importance of “cooperative, win-win” engagement with global ocean governance, peaceful joint use of marine energy resources, and a firm defense of China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
The article lays out six priority areas for concrete action:
- First, Xi called for stronger top-level policy planning, including drafting a 15th Five-Year Plan for the marine economy and encouraging private capital investment in the sector.
- Second, he stressed the need to boost independent innovation in marine science and technology, including cultivating leading maritime tech enterprises.
- Third, Xi urged the expansion and strengthening of marine industries, spanning offshore wind power, modern deep-sea fishing, marine biopharmaceuticals, ocean-themed tourism, shipbuilding, digital maritime infrastructure, and the shipping industry.
- Fourth, he called for integrated planning of major bays and the green and smart transformation of key ports.
- Fifth, the article emphasized protecting the marine ecological environment, including risk prevention, comprehensive governance of key sea areas, and exploring carbon sink accounting in ocean regions.
- Sixth, Xi called for deeper participation in global maritime governance, including cooperation in ocean research, disaster reduction, and the blue economy — and specifically advancing the construction of a “Belt and Road” International Port Alliance.
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), March 15, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202603150119.aspx
China’s Fuel Oil Imports Unexpectedly Increased by 15.9 Percent in January and February
Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that, data released by China’s General Administration of Customs showed that China’s fuel oil imports dramatically increased by 15.9 percent in January and February, right before the war in the region.
In the first two months of this year, China imported a total of 4.45 million tons of fuel oil, equivalent to approximately 478,000 barrels per day. Meanwhile, China’s fuel oil exports, mostly used for bunkering low-sulfur marine fuel, fell 8.4% in January and February, to 2.75 million tons.
Industry insiders previously stated that, to ensure domestic fuel reserves, the Chinese government in March ordered major refineries to immediately suspend refined oil exports. However, the ban did not include aviation fuel refueling for international flights, aviation kerosene and marine fuel oil stored in bonded warehouses, or fuel supplies to Hong Kong and Macau.
With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz restricting crude oil exports from the Middle East, refineries are actively seeking alternative feedstocks. China’s fuel oil imports, particularly high-sulfur fuel oil from Russia, are expected to remain strong in March.
Source: Lianhe Zaobao, March 20, 2026
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260320-8766349
China and Vietnam Hold Historic “3+3” Strategic Dialogue
On March 16, China and Vietnam convened the first ministerial-level meeting under their newly established “3+3” strategic dialogue mechanism in Hanoi, bringing together senior officials from both countries’ foreign affairs, defense, and public security ministries. The meeting was co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Defense Minister Dong Jun, and Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong, alongside their Vietnamese counterparts.
The “3+3” format — expanding on the conventional “2+2” diplomatic and defense model by incorporating public security cooperation — is considered a global first and reflects the deepening of bilateral ties. Zhao Weihua, Director of Fudan University’s Center for China’s Neighborhood Studies, described the meeting as a landmark, noting it took place at a significant moment following both the conclusion of Vietnam’s 14th Party Congress and China’s National People’s Congress. He said the talks produced broad consensus and a clear roadmap for future relations.
Key outcomes included mutual commitments to uphold party leadership and socialist governance, resist “color revolutions,” and safeguard political stability. Vietnam reaffirmed that developing relations with China remains its top foreign policy priority and that it firmly adheres to the One China policy.
On security, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in cybersecurity, combating online gambling and fraud, counter-narcotics, and fugitive repatriation. Their militaries agreed to conduct joint naval patrols and training, while also pledging to manage South China Sea disputes peacefully in accordance with international law and UNCLOS 1982.
Economically, both countries agreed to align China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Vietnam’s development strategy, advancing cooperation in trade, infrastructure, cross-border economic zones, and emerging sectors such as digital economy and artificial intelligence.
Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam, who met separately with the three Chinese ministers, urged both sides to prioritize railway cooperation to facilitate trade and people-to-people exchanges, and called for the “3+3” mechanism to become a model for bilateral cooperation.
Source: Sputnik News, March 18, 2026
https://sputniknews.cn/20260318/1070305187.html
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