BEIJING DAILY - 25 MARCH 2026
Commerce Minister WANG Signs Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement; Beijing Intervenes to Halt Food Delivery Price Wars as Platform Economy Governance Shifts; Authorities Bar Manus AI Co-Founders from Leaving China After Meta Acquisition
China Signs Economic Partnership Agreement With Kenya, Expands Africa Trade
China and Kenya signed the Economic Partnership Agreement Early Harvest Arrangement on March 25, advancing bilateral trade cooperation. Commerce Minister Wang also met Cameroon and US-China Business Council delegations, sustaining high-level economic outreach.
China Launches World's First Nanoscale Micro-Vibration Laboratory in Xiong'an
World's first nanoscale micro-vibration laboratory commenced operations in Xiong'an New Area on March 25, supporting high-end manufacturing. Marks technology breakthrough in precision measurement infrastructure for advanced industrial applications.
China Releases 2025 Top 10 Scientific Advances, Highlights Innovation Progress
China released top 10 scientific advances of 2025 on March 25, showcasing progress across AI, photonics, and space research. Includes first ruby discovery on Mars and record-breaking optical communications transmission.
Beijing Vows to End Food Delivery Price Wars, Meituan and Alibaba Shares Rally
Chinese authorities stepped up efforts March 25 to end intense competition in food delivery sector driving down profits. Meituan and Alibaba shares jumped on regulatory intervention signaling shift in platform economy governance.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: Commerce Minister WANG Wentao on 25 March signed the Economic Partnership Agreement Early Harvest Arrangement with Kenya in Beijing, advancing China's sustained Africa trade outreach as WANG also received delegations from Cameroon and the U.S.-China Business Council — the Kenya agreement follows Secretary of State RUBIO's 25 March call with Kenyan President RUTO and marks Beijing's continued economic diplomacy across the developing world documented in previous cables covering Lancang-Mekong engagement and Philippine energy talks. Chinese authorities on 25 March stepped up efforts to end intense competition in the food delivery sector that has driven down platform profits, with Meituan and Alibaba shares rallying on regulatory intervention — the shift signals Beijing's evolving approach to platform economy governance away from the punitive crackdowns of recent years toward controlled stabilization that prioritizes profitability over predatory pricing. Chinese authorities barred two co-founders of AI startup Manus from leaving China after Meta's $2 billion 2025 acquisition of the company, according to 25 March Bloomberg reporting — the exit restrictions raise questions about Beijing's regulatory control over strategic technology assets and could signal increased scrutiny of foreign acquisitions in the artificial intelligence sector. The 24 March Tokyo embassy intrusion documented in previous cables remains under Japanese investigation with no new PRC statements, while Foreign Minister WANG Yi's 24 March call with Iranian Foreign Minister ARAGHCHI urging dialogue maintained Beijing's calibrated neutrality on the Middle East crisis. END SUMMARY.
