Stories from Beijing · China

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection has decided to expel Man Sangzhi from the Communist Party. The National Supervisory Commission has expelled Man Sangzhi from the Communist Party and removed him from public office. Their suspected criminal issues have been transferred to prosecutors for investigation and prosecution. China has expelled Man Sangzhi from the party and revoked his status as a representative of the 20th National Congress. New film pre-sales for the May Day holiday period in China have exceeded 10 million yuan as of May 23.

In 2025, Zhang Zhang was denied the right to be represented by a lawyer of her choice following what are described as false accusations. The report notes that independent media, newspapers, broadcasters, or online portals capable of free reporting do not exist in China. Foreign correspondents are also systematically restricted in their work. The restriction also limits her contact with the outside world. She was first detained in 2020 for reporting on the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan. Independent media, including newspapers, broadcasters, and online portals, are reported to be non-existent in China. The National People's Congress Standing Committee has appointed Zhang Chengzhong as the Minister of Emergency Management.

Users on the Zhihu platform are discussing the programming capabilities of the DeepSeek-V4 model compared to Claude-Opus-4.7. Users on Zhihu are debating the specific programming performance gap between DeepSeek-V4 and Claude-Opus-4.7, calling for practical testing scenarios. Trending discussions on Zhihu are specifically comparing DeepSeek-V4's programming capabilities against Claude-Opus-4.7, requesting practical test scenarios. New discussions on Zhihu specifically compare DeepSeek-V4 against Claude-Opus-4.7 in practical programming scenarios.

Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a message to the nation's labor force ahead of International Workers' Day. He called for unity around the Party and said the importance of innovation and hard work for national development. The People's Daily is scheduled to publish an editorial titled 'Striving Unceasingly on a New Journey' tomorrow. The decision was passed during the 22nd meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress on April 30, 2026. The message was sent on behalf of the CPC Central Committee. The announcement follows a symposium involving military units, provincial leaders, university research institutions, and enterprise representatives. President Xi Jinping signed presidential decrees number 74, 75, and 76, including one regarding the Prison Law of the People's Republic of China.

The State Grid Corporation of China won 10 packages in a bidding procurement for metering equipment. The project is part of the company's 2026 marketing initiative under Tender No. 0711-26OTL03622006.

The Beijing Auto Show featured a total exhibition area of 380,000 square meters, the largest globally. Several manufacturers showcased vehicles that said Chinese aesthetics and cultural elements. The Beijing Auto Show showcased a shift in automotive design, with an increasing number of brands drawing inspiration from national styles and incorporating Eastern aesthetics. Jorge Moraes is covering the Beijing Auto Show in China for Radio Itatiaia. He aims to share the latest automotive innovations with listeners. The 19th Beijing International Automotive Exhibition concluded on May 3. China's automotive exports have ranked first globally for three consecutive years since 2023. In the first quarter of this year, China exported 2.226 million vehicles, a 56.7% year-on-year increase, with new energy vehicles up 120%. The exhibition served as a key platform for international dealer cooperation.

Zhao Leji said the importance of revised prison laws to promote a higher level of security and the rule of law in China. Zhao Leji said the need for legislative revisions in emerging and foreign-related fields.

President Xi Jinping said the importance of the labor force in driving high-quality economic and social development. President Xi Jinping signed presidential decrees 74, 75, and 76 on April 30, 2026, including revisions to the Prison Law effective November 1, 2026. Decree number 74 includes revisions to the Prison Law of the People's Republic of China, passed by the 22nd meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress. Decree 74 amends the Prison Law of the People's Republic of China, with implementation set for July 1, 2026. Decree 75 establishes the Social Assistance Law, also effective July 1, 2026. No new details provided in current feed. Chinese President Xi Jinping signed a national presidential decree on Thursday, April 30. In a congratulatory letter, Xi Jinping said that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Brent crude oil prices continue to rise amid heightened global attention on the security of the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump warned that the blockade on Iran could last for months.

Citizen Lab identified two hacking groups, GLITTER CARP and SEQUIN CARP, aligned with China. The groups utilize targeted phishing and OAuth abuse to spy on journalists and activists. The source noted that the activity is inquietante (disturbing).