News Briefs

By the 28th, all RMB 800 billion of the 2026 new policy-based financing instruments had been disbursed. China Development Bank, the Export-Import Bank of China and the Agricultural Development Bank of China disbursed RMB 365 billion, RMB 120 billion and RMB 315 billion respectively. Funding primarily supports projects in artificial intelligence, the digital economy, green and low-carbon development, consumption and other fields.

As of the 28th, the full 800 billion yuan in new policy-based financial instruments for 2026 had been disbursed. The China Development Bank, the Export-Import Bank of China and the Agricultural Development Bank of China disbursed 365 billion, 120 billion and 315 billion yuan, respectively. The funds mainly supported projects in fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, green and low-carbon development, and consumption.

According to customs statistics, trade between the nine mainland Greater Bay Area cities and APEC economies totaled RMB 5.58 trillion in the first three quarters of this year, up 26.7% year on year and a record for the period. High-end manufactured and green products, including mechanical and electrical products and integrated circuits, were the main drivers of regional foreign trade growth.

According to customs statistics, in the first three quarters of this year, imports and exports between the nine mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area and APEC economies totaled 5.58 trillion yuan, up 26.7% year on year, a record high for the same period. High-end manufacturing and green products, including electromechanical products and integrated circuits, were the main drivers of regional foreign trade growth.

Reporters learned from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment that national surface water quality continued improving from January through September this year. Water rated Classes I–III accounted for 86.1%, up 1.7 percentage points year on year, while water below Class V accounted for 0.8%, down 0.4 percentage points.

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment told reporters that national surface water quality continued to improve from January to September this year. The proportion of water rated good or excellent, Classes I–III, was 86.1%, up 1.7 percentage points year on year; the proportion rated worse than Class V was 0.8%, down 0.4 percentage points year on year.

On October 29, Wuhan Metro Line 12 opened for operation along its entire route. Approximately 59.9 kilometers long with 37 stations, it is reported as China's longest metro loop, connecting seven central urban districts of Wuhan and establishing a half-hour commuting circle across the central districts.

Today (October 29), Wuhan Metro Line 12 began full-line operation. The line is about 59.9 kilometers long and has 37 stations, making it the country’s longest subway loop. It links seven central districts of Wuhan and creates a “half-hour commuting circle” in the central urban area.

The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the National Health Commission recently jointly issued a notice identifying suitable traditional Chinese medicine techniques, including acupuncture, therapeutic massage, scraping, cupping and moxibustion, as a core catalog for nationwide promotion, to be supplemented as grassroots needs arise. Patients at primary healthcare institutions within counties will be able to access at least 15 techniques across six categories.

The National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the National Health Commission recently jointly issued a notice specifying suitable traditional Chinese medicine techniques, including acupuncture, tuina, gua sha, cupping and moxibustion, as a core catalog for unified nationwide promotion, with additions to be made as needed in light of grassroots demand. People seeking care at primary medical and health institutions within counties will be able to access more than 15 techniques across six categories.

On October 28, the United Nations General Assembly again adopted a resolution urging the United States to end its economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba, with 130 votes in favor, 17 against and 25 abstentions. This was its 34th consecutive adoption of a similar resolution.

On the 28th, the United Nations General Assembly again adopted a resolution by an overwhelming majority of 130 votes in favor, 17 against and 25 abstentions, urging the United States to end its economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba. This was the General Assembly’s 34th consecutive adoption of a similar resolution. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel posted on the 28th welcoming the resolution’s adoption and urging the United States to immediately end its economic blockade of Cuba, which has lasted for more than 60 years. He stressed that in the face of the United States’ blockade, threats and bullying, the Cuban people would never yield.

On October 28, Cuban President Díaz-Canel posted a statement welcoming the resolution's adoption and urging the United States to immediately end its economic blockade of Cuba, which he described as lasting more than 60 years. He stressed that the Cuban people would never submit to US blockade, threats and bullying.

On the 28th, the United Nations General Assembly again adopted a resolution by an overwhelming majority of 130 votes in favor, 17 against and 25 abstentions, urging the United States to end its economic, commercial and financial blockade of Cuba. This was the General Assembly’s 34th consecutive adoption of a similar resolution. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel posted on the 28th welcoming the resolution’s adoption and urging the United States to immediately end its economic blockade of Cuba, which has lasted for more than 60 years. He stressed that in the face of the United States’ blockade, threats and bullying, the Cuban people would never yield.

Preliminary parliamentary election results released by the Israeli Central Elections Committee on October 28 showed Netanyahu's right-wing bloc winning 53 seats and Eisenkot's opposition bloc winning 48, both below the 61 needed to form a government. Arab parties won 19 seats.

Preliminary vote-count results released on the 28th by Israel’s Central Elections Committee showed that the right-wing bloc led by incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had won 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot had won 48; neither reached the 61 seats needed to form a government. Arab parties won 19 seats. Israeli media reported that the opposition bloc was considering seeking support from Arab parties. Arab parties announced on the 28th that they were ready to engage in political cooperation to end Netanyahu’s rule. Netanyahu’s Likud Party, citing alleged fraud by Arab parties, called on the relevant authorities to investigate.

Israeli media reported that the opposition bloc was considering seeking support from Arab parties.

Preliminary vote-count results released on the 28th by Israel’s Central Elections Committee showed that the right-wing bloc led by incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had won 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot had won 48; neither reached the 61 seats needed to form a government. Arab parties won 19 seats. Israeli media reported that the opposition bloc was considering seeking support from Arab parties. Arab parties announced on the 28th that they were ready to engage in political cooperation to end Netanyahu’s rule. Netanyahu’s Likud Party, citing alleged fraud by Arab parties, called on the relevant authorities to investigate.

On October 28, Arab parties announced that they were ready to engage in political cooperation to end Netanyahu's rule.

Preliminary vote-count results released on the 28th by Israel’s Central Elections Committee showed that the right-wing bloc led by incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had won 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot had won 48; neither reached the 61 seats needed to form a government. Arab parties won 19 seats. Israeli media reported that the opposition bloc was considering seeking support from Arab parties. Arab parties announced on the 28th that they were ready to engage in political cooperation to end Netanyahu’s rule. Netanyahu’s Likud Party, citing alleged fraud by Arab parties, called on the relevant authorities to investigate.

Likud, led by Netanyahu, requested an investigation by the relevant authorities, alleging fraud by Arab parties.

Preliminary vote-count results released on the 28th by Israel’s Central Elections Committee showed that the right-wing bloc led by incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had won 53 seats, while the opposition bloc led by former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot had won 48; neither reached the 61 seats needed to form a government. Arab parties won 19 seats. Israeli media reported that the opposition bloc was considering seeking support from Arab parties. Arab parties announced on the 28th that they were ready to engage in political cooperation to end Netanyahu’s rule. Netanyahu’s Likud Party, citing alleged fraud by Arab parties, called on the relevant authorities to investigate.

On October 28, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said Iran had not abandoned diplomacy and was discussing with mediators how to implement a “seven-day plan” to open the Strait of Hormuz in less than a week.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on the 28th that Iran had not abandoned diplomacy and was discussing with mediators how to implement, in less than a week, a “seven-day plan” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

US media reported on October 28 that Vice President Vance had written to Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, seeking to restart talks and explore whether the United States and Iran could find enough common ground to avert another US strike on Iran in the coming weeks.

According to U.S. media reports on the 28th, U.S. Vice President Vance had sent a letter to Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, seeking to restart talks. The reports said the move was intended to explore whether the United States and Iran could find enough common ground to avert another U.S. strike on Iran in the coming weeks. Earlier U.S. media reports said the U.S. military was ready to launch a new large-scale strike on Iran, and that U.S. President Donald Trump might issue an order after the U.S. midterm elections in November.

US media previously reported that the US military was ready for a new round of large-scale strikes on Iran and that Trump might issue an operational order after the US midterm elections in November.

According to U.S. media reports on the 28th, U.S. Vice President Vance had sent a letter to Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, seeking to restart talks. The reports said the move was intended to explore whether the United States and Iran could find enough common ground to avert another U.S. strike on Iran in the coming weeks. Earlier U.S. media reports said the U.S. military was ready to launch a new large-scale strike on Iran, and that U.S. President Donald Trump might issue an order after the U.S. midterm elections in November.

On the same day, Zelenskyy said he had discussed matters concerning the Abu Dhabi trilateral talks with Dutch Prime Minister Jetten, including ensuring that the positions of European parties received full consideration in negotiations.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said on the 28th that Russia did not plan to invite Europe to the Russia-U.S.-Ukraine trilateral talks to be held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. Ushakov said the talks would take place after November 4, with the exact date to be announced soon. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the same day that he had discussed matters related to the Abu Dhabi trilateral talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, including ensuring that the positions of all European parties were fully considered in the negotiations.

According to Ushakov, Russia–US–Ukraine trilateral talks will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, after November 4, with the exact date yet to be announced.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said on the 28th that Russia did not plan to invite Europe to the Russia-U.S.-Ukraine trilateral talks to be held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. Ushakov said the talks would take place after November 4, with the exact date to be announced soon. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the same day that he had discussed matters related to the Abu Dhabi trilateral talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, including ensuring that the positions of all European parties were fully considered in the negotiations.

On October 28, Russian presidential aide Ushakov said Russia did not intend to invite Europe to the Russia–US–Ukraine trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He said the talks would take place after November 4 and that the exact date would be announced soon.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said on the 28th that Russia did not plan to invite Europe to the Russia-U.S.-Ukraine trilateral talks to be held in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. Ushakov said the talks would take place after November 4, with the exact date to be announced soon. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the same day that he had discussed matters related to the Abu Dhabi trilateral talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, including ensuring that the positions of all European parties were fully considered in the negotiations.

On October 28, García-Page said the high-speed train collision near Toledo that day had killed 68 people.

On the 28th, Emiliano García-Page, president of the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain, said that a high-speed rail collision near Toledo, the community’s capital, that day had killed 68 people. Dozens more were injured. The two trains involved were carrying more than 500 people. Search and rescue work was being stepped up.

On October 28, high-speed trains collided near Toledo, capital of Spain's Castile-La Mancha Autonomous Community. Regional president García-Page said the crash had killed 68 people. The report also stated that dozens were injured and that the two trains carried more than 500 people.

On the 28th, Emiliano García-Page, president of the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain, said that a high-speed rail collision near Toledo, the community’s capital, that day had killed 68 people. Dozens more were injured. The two trains involved were carrying more than 500 people. Search and rescue work was being stepped up.

On October 28, Spanish Transport Minister Puente said a computer failure had disabled the safety control system on the affected section that day and halted train services. He said control-center staff then incorrectly ordered trains to resume operating while the system was not functioning normally, ultimately causing the crash.

Spain’s Transport Minister Óscar Puente said on the 28th that, because of a computer failure, the safety control system on the section where the incident occurred had stopped functioning and trains had been halted. At the same time, control-center staff issued an erroneous instruction to resume train operations while the system was not functioning properly, ultimately causing the accident.

Search and rescue efforts following the train collision were being intensified.

On the 28th, Emiliano García-Page, president of the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain, said that a high-speed rail collision near Toledo, the community’s capital, that day had killed 68 people. Dozens more were injured. The two trains involved were carrying more than 500 people. Search and rescue work was being stepped up.