Shenzhou VI launches with two astronauts

Yang Liwei launched aboard Shenzhou 5, making China the third country to independently send a human into space. The mission signaled technological and industrial capabilities associated with a...

The National People’s Congress amended the constitution to state that citizens’ lawful private property is inviolable and that the state protects inheritance rights. The change recognized a larger...

The National People’s Congress adopted a law setting out the PRC’s position on preventing Taiwanese independence and authorizing “non-peaceful means” under specified conditions. Beijing framed it as a...

The People’s Bank of China moved from a strict US dollar peg toward a managed floating exchange-rate regime referencing a basket of currencies, and revalued the renminbi. The step responded to...

Chinese and Russian forces conducted a large joint exercise, with participation by other Shanghai Cooperation Organization states. It demonstrated expanding military cooperation and regional...

The 1958 Agricultural Tax Regulations were annulled effective January 1, ending the agricultural tax nationwide after phased reductions. The measure shifted the state’s fiscal relationship with...

The railway linking Xining and Lhasa began operation, connecting Tibet more directly to the Chinese national transport network. The line enabled mobility and commerce but also raised concerns about...

The summit brought leaders from China and African states together and adopted a cooperation plan expanding trade, investment, debt relief, and aid. It reflected South-South diplomacy and offered...

China launched its first lunar probe, beginning a sustained program of robotic and crewed space exploration. The mission marked technological capability and national ambition, while expanding...

China and New Zealand signed a bilateral free-trade agreement after three years of negotiations. New Zealand became the first developed country to conclude such an agreement with China. The deal...