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THIS WEEK:

Trump appoints China hawks to new administration, deadly car attack kills 35, Beijing’s assertive stance at COP29, mixed signals on Singles’ Day, and Xi congratulates Sun Yat-sen University on its centennial

1. Trump Appoints China Hawks to New Administration

What Happened: The Trump transition team named Representative Mike Waltz as national security advisor and Senator Marco Rubio as the next secretary of state, providing the first clue as to how Trump will approach U.S. relations with China over the next four years.

The Hawks: Waltz has been outspoken about China’s threat to U.S. national security interests, saying that the two countries “were in a new Cold War.” Senator Rubio is one of the Senate’s strongest advocates of a tougher U.S. policy toward China.

China's Possible Reaction: While the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not responded to the news, Beijing will likely view the picks as fresh evidence that Trump will take a harder line with China.

Why It Matters: Trump views his personal relationship with Chinese president Xi Jinping as an avenue for negotiation, and he will likely lean on Waltz and Rubio to fashion a more aggressive, uncompromising policy toward China.
 
By Lyle J. Morris, Senior Fellow on Foreign Policy and National Security, Center for China Analysis

Learn More: ASPI breaks down how the U.S. election will influence Asia policy in “Red or Blue: What’s at Stake for Asia in the 2024 U.S. Election.”

2. Deadly Car Attack Kills 35

What Happened: A man in his early 60s rammed his car into a crowded sports stadium in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, killing 35 and injuring another 43.

The Aftermath: The authorities’ response was to disperse mourners and reporters from the scene of the crime and clamp down on emotional expressions of grief or anger as well as any discussion of the incident. 

A Disturbing Pattern: This was the latest in a spate of violent attacks in China. In September, a Japanese schoolboy was fatally stabbed and several schoolchildren were injured in knife attacks at two elementary schools earlier in the year.

Why It Matters: Violent crimes were rare in China until recently, and their increasing frequency is a sign of a society with pent-up grievances. Mental health problems were exacerbated by three years of zero-COVID lockdowns, while tighter social control, rising unemployment, and economic doldrums have spurred widespread discontent. 

By Lynette H. Ong, Senior Fellow on Chinese Society, Center for China Analysis

Learn More: Read Lynette’s article on why “One Year on From ‘White Paper’ Protests, Disillusionment With China’s Government Persists.”

3. Beijing's Assertive Stance at COP29

What Happened: On Tuesday, Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang delivered a speech at the COP29 High-Level Meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Early Warning: Announcing the release of China’s Action Plan on Early Warning for Climate Change Adaptation (2025–2027), Ding called for strengthening early-warning systems and enhancing climate adaptation capacity. He reinforced China’s willingness to work with all countries to improve risk assessment capabilities, share technologies, and build a global early-warning network.

China's Plan: Ding also announced the launch of a flagship South-South cooperation project that provides developing countries with meteorological observation equipment, early-warning systems, and training. In a separate high-level meeting, Ding said China provided nearly $25 billion for climate action in developing countries since 2016 — the first time China has provided such figures. 

Why It Matters: Ding’s remarks show China’s willingness to be more transparent in its support for climate-vulnerable countries, and his speech reinforcing China’s commitment to supporting climate progress positions the country to assert its influence and global leadership on climate at COP29.
 
By Taylah Bland, Fellow on Climate and the Environment, Center for China Analysis
 
Learn More: Read “The Battle to Foot the Bill: How Will China’s Contributions be Captured in the New Climate Finance Goal?” by CCA Fellow Kate Logan.

4. Mixed Signals on Singles' Day

What Happened: E-commerce firms reported higher sales and transaction volumes during Singles’ Day, China’s annual online shopping festival, while consumers and analysts questioned the event’s continued relevance.

Believe It or Not: Commentators remarked that this year’s Singles’ Day event stretched across 29 days, 10 days longer than in 2023, making comparisons with previous years difficult. Others noted a sharp increase in overseas sales driven by offers of free shipping to Hong Kong and Singapore. 

Confidence Show: Long considered a barometer of consumer sentiment, Singles’ Week sales are closely parsed for indications of the health of the Chinese economy. But many netizens say they are turned off by the event because it is overhyped and does not offer good value.

Why It Matters: Beijing sees restoring confidence as key to an economic recovery, and all eyes are on the Chinese consumer for signs that the stimulus package introduced in September will gain traction.

By G.A. Donovan, Fellow on Chinese Society and Political Economy, Center for China Analysis

Learn More: Read about the consequences of China’s economic slowdown in a summary report from a roundtable co-organized by CCA and the Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions.

5. Xi Congratulates Sun Yat-sen University on Its Centennial

What Happened: On November 12, Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to Sun Yat-sen University on its 100th anniversary.

Red Heritage: Xi encouraged the university to become a world-class institution with “Chinese characteristics” by upholding the Chinese Communist Party’s “red heritage” and accelerating technological innovation and talent development to further Chinese-style modernization.

"Blue Heritage": On the same day, Kuomintang chairman Eric Chu announced Taiwan’s plans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s death on March 12, 2025. He stated that “all Chinese people are grateful for Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary efforts and regard him with the utmost admiration.”

Why It Matters: As both China and Taiwan brace for a second Trump administration, the anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s death next March could serve as an opportunity for communication between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

By Lobsang Tsering, Senior Research Associate, Center for China Analysis

Learn More: Read CCA Senior Fellow Guoguang Wu’s latest analysis of “The United Front, Comprehensive Integration, and China’s Nonmilitary Strategy Toward Taiwan.”