Huawei Expands Its HarmonyOS PC Ecosystem With First Desktop Launch and Push Into Enterprise Market
HarmonyOS is Huawei’s homegrown operating system and a key part of China’s broader effort to build a domestically controlled technology ecosystem and reduce reliance on Western, particularly U.S.-developed, operating systems and software. The Chinese government has been aggressively replacing Windows-based systems with domestic alternatives in government offices as part of its push for technological self-reliance.
According to People’s Daily, Huawei has launched its first HarmonyOS-powered desktop computer, the Qingyun HM650 series, at a recent HarmonyOS Office Industry Summit. Alongside the new desktop, Huawei announced an upgraded enterprise operating system, HarmonyOS Enterprise Edition, and the second version of its Qingyun Hongtu partner program. Together, these initiatives are intended to expand Huawei’s proprietary operating system across government and enterprise workplaces.
Zhu Dongdong, President of Huawei’s Tablet and PC product line, said HarmonyOS computers have shipped more than 1 million units since their launch in 2025. The HM650 series is designed for fixed office workstations and features a 10-core, 20-thread Kirin X90 processor running HarmonyOS V1.0. It supports professional applications including ZWSOFT CAD, GstarCAD, and ZW3D. Huawei’s Xiaoyi Work assistant can also help users with document processing, presentation creation, and data analysis.
Huawei reported that the HarmonyOS PC ecosystem now includes more than 21,000 independent applications and has been deployed at scale across 13 industries.
Under the upgraded Qingyun Hongtu Partner Program 2.0, Huawei will provide hardware and operating system support through a “HarmonyOS Inside” model, allowing partner manufacturers to design and customize computers for specific industry needs. Huawei said its HarmonyOS motherboard cooperation program is ready, with the first partner-built computers expected to launch alongside the initiative.
Source: People’s Daily, November 5, 2026
http://finance.people.com.cn/n1/2026/1105/c1004-40828484.html
China Seeks to Move Humanoid Robots Beyond Basic Mobility, but Major Hurdles Remain
China is seeking to advance humanoid robots beyond basic movements such as walking and jumping toward more sophisticated real-world applications. However, industry leaders acknowledge that significant technical and infrastructure challenges must be overcome before robots can reliably perform complex tasks.
Speaking at a Nov. 5 forum on humanoid robotics and embodied artificial intelligence (AI) during the ninth Hongqiao International Economic Forum, Xin Guobin, Vice Minister of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said humanoid robots are moving toward broader applications in manufacturing, services, and everyday life.
Wang Xingxing, founder and chairman of Unitree Robotics, identified the gap between AI models and the physical world as a major obstacle. Although multimodal models have advanced in understanding and planning, they still struggle to translate digital instructions into precise physical actions. Wang noted that even errors of a few millimeters can create significant problems when robots interact with their physical surroundings.
Wang Dong, co-founder and executive president of Moore Threads, identified three additional bottlenecks: a shortage of real-world physical data, the high cost of computing infrastructure, and fragmented development processes that lead to accuracy losses. He observed that while large language models are advancing rapidly, embodied AI models have yet to keep pace.
Source: People’s Daily, November 7, 2026
http://finance.people.com.cn/n1/2026/1107/c1004-40829521.html
Papua New Guinea Discovers 32-Kilogram Chinese-Made Military Shell; Chinese Embassy Calls It a “Liquor Bottle”
The discovery of a 32-kilogram Chinese-made unexploded military shell in Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, has sparked controversy after the Chinese Embassy dismissed it as nothing more than a liquor bottle.
According to Australian media reports, Papua New Guinea police and military explosives experts secured the scene and safely removed the object. An investigation report finalized on November 3, following an examination using X-ray equipment donated by Australia, identified it as a Chinese-made Type 59 130mm artillery shell containing explosive material and a fuse. Four Chinese nationals were arrested on October 30 in connection with the incident.
On the same day the police report was finalized, the Chinese Embassy issued a statement on social media claiming that the object was merely a decorative liquor bottle shaped like an artillery shell and posed no danger. The embassy also argued that smuggling military ammunition out of China was virtually impossible because of the country’s strict weapons controls.
However, Papua New Guinea police had already rejected the claim that the object was a dummy. Senior officials confirmed that the police report identified it as live ammunition and that the findings had been forwarded to criminal investigators for further investigation.
The discovery comes as Australia seeks to negotiate a landmark defense treaty with Papua New Guinea. Beijing has publicly urged Port Moresby not to sign any agreement that would exclude cooperation with third countries.
Source: Aboluo, November 5, 2026
https://www.aboluowang.com/2026/1105/2453702.html
China Starts Withholding VAT on Individuals’ Service Income, Cutting Take-Home Pay
China began requiring employers and other payers to withhold value-added tax (VAT) from payments to individuals for certain services on Nov. 1. The rule comes from measures the State Taxation Administration issued on Sept. 3. Payers must now deduct VAT and surcharges, on top of the individual income tax already withheld.
Beijing University of Science and Technology and Huzhou University posted implementation notices on Oct. 26 and 23. The rules cover seven service categories: research and development, software, design, consulting, broadcast and film production, culture, and education. Huzhou’s notice classifies translation and market research as consulting, and lectures, training and educational assessments as education. Retirees, outside personnel and students are included.
A Huzhou administrative staffer told a reporter the rule applies nationwide to “all units, not all universities” and that the tax was not collected before.
Transactions with one payer of at least 1,000 yuan ($149) before tax are subject to withholding. Smaller amounts are exempt. VAT is charged at a reduced 1 percent rate through the end of 2027. Taxable transactions from Jan. 1 to Oct. 31 remain self-reported, and anyone who already paid will not be taxed twice.
Legal scholar Lu Chenyuan said the withholding closes a gap, since individuals’ service income largely escaped business tax before the 2016 reform. Financial scholar Si Ling said VAT on such income has a legal basis but was loosely enforced. He linked the tighter collection to the government’s need for revenue amid the economic downturn, calling the effort “unprecedented.”
On X, one user posted complaints from a university worker who asked why VAT applies after income tax was already paid.
Source: Radio Free Asia, November 2, 2026
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shangye/jingji/2026/11/02/china-ministry-of-finance-state-taxation-administration-value-added-tax-higher-education-institutions/
Chinese Source Claims CCP Behind Binance’s $6.3 Billion Hack, Seeks Access to User Data
On October 29, cryptocurrency exchange Binance reportedly suffered a theft of approximately $6.3 billion, in what has been described as the largest cryptocurrency heist in history. The FBI attributed the attack to North Korean hackers.
An X post, citing an anonymous source from China’s financial sector, alleged that Beijing was the real force behind the theft. The claims have not been independently verified.
The source claimed that 70 to 80 percent of Chinese officials and individuals involved in gray-market businesses use Binance to move funds. The source further alleged that North Korean hackers receive training in China and cooperate with Chinese intelligence agencies, suggesting that the North Korean connection could serve as a cover for Beijing’s involvement.
Founded in Shanghai in 2017 by Chinese-born Canadian citizen Changpeng Zhao (CZ) and Chinese national Yi He, Binance rapidly expanded and became the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by January 2018. After China banned cryptocurrency trading, Binance moved its operations overseas, and its website was blocked in mainland China. Zhao has repeatedly denied that Binance is a Chinese company or is controlled by the Chinese government.
Despite its departure from China, Binance reportedly maintains a dedicated Law Enforcement Request System (LERS) through which Chinese police can submit requests for information and asset freezes. Chinese authorities have also frozen bank accounts belonging to people who receive yuan from cryptocurrency transactions, particularly when the funds are linked to suspected criminal activity. China classifies cryptocurrency-related business activities as illegal financial activities, and cross-border transactions can trigger investigations for suspected illegal business operations or money laundering.
The source claimed that the CCP had been targeting Binance for at least five years, saying it had already taken action against the exchange and had never stopped. The source predicted that the latest incident could lead to changes in Binance’s internal structure, with Beijing pressuring the company to open access to its backend systems. This would allow Chinese authorities to investigate users and monitor transactions much as they do through domestic payment platforms Alipay and WeChat Pay.
The source argued that the CCP wants to bring funds associated with illicit businesses, tax evasion, and wealthy Chinese families transferring assets overseas under tighter control.
Source: @JenniferZeng15 on X
https://x.com/JenniferZeng15/status/2116770938511351986
Shenzhen Tightens Security Ahead of APEC Summit as Residents Voice Frustration
Shenzhen will host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 18-19. The White House has said President Donald Trump intends to attend, Russia has announced that President Vladimir Putin will lead a delegation, and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is coordinating her attendance. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet again on the sidelines.
On November 1, Guangdong’s public security department held a mobilization meeting declaring the province had entered a “decisive stage” of security preparations. Police were drawn from across the province to support Shenzhen, with orders to deploy heavy street patrols and strictly control access to key sites. Officials also set up outer checkpoint rings to keep “risk factors” out of the city.
Residents told the reporter that subway bag checks have become stricter, with queues of more than ten minutes. One resident said the measures felt wasteful and that ordinary people could not see what benefit the event would bring them. Others described seeing volunteers and security personnel in colored vests across the city. A retiree said officials were under strict instructions to avoid any incident, while another resident attributed the heightened sensitivity to economic decline and public discontent.
A sauna security guard in Luohu said all customers must now register their ID cards, which are uploaded to the police station, and that a Hong Kong customer left after seeing the notice. Karaoke venues are also inspecting bags. According to a post on X, a restaurant owner in Longhua District said police had chained kitchen knives in place.
Shenzhen has announced drone and aircraft restrictions from November 7-10 in Futian and Nanshan districts, expanding citywide from November 11-21. Non-local passenger vehicles will be restricted in six districts from November 17-20, and hazardous cargo vehicles banned citywide from November 16-20. Employers are encouraged to adopt flexible work arrangements that week.
Source: Radio Free Asia, November 4, 2026
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shehui/2026/11/04/china-apec-heightened-security-shenzhen-restrictions-on-kitchen-knives/
Nagoya Mayor Attends Japan-Taiwan Summit Despite Reported Chinese Pressure
The 12th Japan-Taiwan Exchange Summit was held in Nagoya, Japan, with approximately 300 people in attendance. Despite reports that Chinese officials had urged Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirozawa not to attend, Hirozawa appeared in person and delivered remarks underscoring the longstanding friendship between Japan and Taiwan. He pledged to continue promoting exchanges between the two sides and shared that he had visited Taiwan six times, praising the warmth and friendliness Taiwanese people have consistently shown toward Japanese visitors.
Keiji Furuya, chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Diet Members’ Consultative Council, said the cross-party group now has 325 members of Japan’s National Diet, which has 713 seats in total. Furuya highlighted the group’s efforts to address the longstanding issue of Japanese official documents identifying Taiwanese people’s nationality as “China” rather than “Taiwan.” The group has helped secure changes allowing “Taiwan” to be listed on family registries and, more recently, national professional licenses.
The summit carried particular significance following several incidents involving Taiwan at the recent 2026 Asian Games hosted in Nagoya, including the reported mistreatment of Taiwan’s Sports Minister, Li Yang, during a visit to Japan, as well as incidents in which Taiwanese spectators were reportedly treated improperly while displaying flags and using towels to cheer for their athletes.
At the summit’s opening, Nagoya City Council member Kazuhide Fujita publicly apologized for the Asian Games treatment of Taiwan. Kobe City Council member Hiromasa Uehata criticized the event organizers for yielding to Chinese pressure, saying their actions had undermined the dignity and identity of the Taiwanese people. He called the incidents “a disgrace to Japan.”
Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), November 2, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202611020278.aspx
Satellite Images Show Five New Zubr Hovercraft Under Construction at Chinese Shipyard
Recent commercial satellite imagery reportedly shows five large Zubr-class air-cushion landing craft under construction simultaneously at an outfitting basin at a shipyard in southern China.
If completed and delivered, the five vessels would join the six Zubr-class craft already in service with the Chinese Navy, potentially bringing the fleet to more than 10. The expansion would enhance the Navy’s ability to transport heavy armored vehicles by sea and deploy them directly onto shore.
Originally developed by the Soviet Union, the Zubr is a large amphibious assault hovercraft. Subsequent production involved Russia and Ukraine before China imported the vessels and began domestic production. The craft has a full-load displacement of approximately 555 tons and a payload capacity of 150 tons. It can carry three main battle tanks, eight infantry fighting vehicles, or a large number of landing troops, making it one of the largest military hovercraft currently in service worldwide.
The Zubr has a cruising speed of approximately 55 knots and a range of about 550 kilometers. Its air-cushion design enables it to travel through shallow waters and approach shorelines at high speed, reducing its dependence on water depth and coastal terrain. It can also cross obstacles and difficult terrain, including reefs, shallows, and mudflats, allowing heavy equipment to be delivered rapidly ashore.
Source: Newtalk (Taiwan), November 4, 2026
https://newtalk.tw/news/view/2026-11-04/1069285