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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) — Here are Xinhua's top 10 international news stories for 2025.
1. The diplomacy of the Chinese head of state promotes peace and development.
In 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the SCO summit in Tianjin, a commemorative gathering to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the Global Women's Summit, and other events. He visited three Southeast Asian countries, Russia, and the Republic of Korea, participated in the second China-Central Asia Summit, the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Informal Leaders' Meeting, the BRICS Online Summit, and delivered a video message at a special UN high-level event on climate change.
He held in-depth talks and exchanged views with leaders of various states and international political figures, and also communicated with residents of various countries through meetings, letters, etc.
With a keen understanding of contemporary trends, Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative, following on from the three global initiatives. It received broad response and support from the international community, making a significant contribution to the noble cause of peace and human development.
2. The US-initiated tariff war has serious implications for the multilateral trading system
On April 2, the United States announced the imposition of so-called "equivalent tariffs" on the vast majority of its trading partners. Over the past year, Washington has consistently imposed or threatened to impose additional tariffs on goods such as steel, aluminum, automobiles, film, and semiconductors, bringing the current tariff rates to their highest level in nearly a century.
This move, which dealt a serious blow to the multilateral trading system and seriously disrupted the normal order of international trade, drew sharp criticism from the international community. Many countries adopted countermeasures and stepped up efforts to reduce the risk of dependence on the US market by diversifying trade and investment. Several US courts also ruled that the policy of imposing large-scale tariffs violated the law.
3. The international community celebrates the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II
The year 2025 marked the 80th anniversary of victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the UN. The international community held various commemorative events.
On May 7, the UN General Assembly convened a special commemorative session to honor the memory of all victims of World War II. On May 9, Xi Jinping took part in commemorative events in Russia commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War. On September 3, Xi Jinping addressed a commemorative meeting to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
In a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings, Xi Jinping called for promoting a correct view of history, upholding the victory of World War II, upholding the international system with the UN at its core, practicing genuine multilateralism, and upholding international justice and fairness.
4. Rapid development of AI requires stronger regulation
Over the past year, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have undergone rapid evolution. Major models like DeepSeek and ChatGPT have developed at a remarkable pace, while applications incorporating AI agents and embodied intelligence have emerged one after another. Their deep integration with the real economy is becoming increasingly evident, expanding capabilities across a wide range of industries and reaching households worldwide.
The risks and challenges posed by AI have attracted considerable attention. This year, the UN launched two mechanisms: the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance.
The Global Action Plan on AI Governance was published in Shanghai at the 2025 World Conference on Artificial Intelligence and the High-Level Conference on Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence. China proposed the establishment of a World Organization for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation and launched the "AI Plus" international cooperation initiative aimed at promoting AI development for the benefit of all.
5. Turbulence in the global market increases economic risks
In October, global gold prices exceeded $4,000 per ounce for the first time. Gold prices rose sharply, driven by factors such as the US federal government shutdown. Since September, the US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates three times, and further monetary easing has undermined the appeal of US dollar-denominated assets.
Heightened concerns among international capital about geopolitical tensions and risks to confidence in the dollar have led to a shift of funds into gold, a traditional safe-haven asset. Central banks around the world continue to increase their gold reserves, bringing official holdings to their highest level in nearly a decade. The decline in confidence in the dollar and the sharp rise in gold prices reflect growing structural risks in the global economy and highlight the profound instability of the international monetary system.
6. Conflicts in the Middle East are causing catastrophic losses, while peace remains elusive.
On October 9, Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) reached an agreement on the first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza, although sporadic violence continues. More than two years of protracted fighting have led to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, leaving over 70,000 people dead, over 170,000 injured, and nearly 2 million displaced.
In 2025, conflicts flared repeatedly across the region, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Israeli-Lebanese conflict, the Israeli-Iranian conflict, and clashes between Yemen's Houthis and Israel. The US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards set a dangerous precedent. The political and diplomatic process to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue has reached a dead end. Achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East continues to require sustained and concerted efforts by the international community.
7. The 15th Five-Year Plan project gives positive impetus to the world
At the end of October, the 4th Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee adopted recommendations for drafting the 15th Five-Year Social and Economic Development Plan, which outlines the country's development plan for the next five years and has attracted considerable attention from the international community.
Observers around the world note that the recommendations call for a consistent expansion of institutional openness, the protection of the multilateral trading system, the promotion of expanded international economic flows, and the advancement of reform and development through greater openness.
This step is a clear demonstration of China's commitment to sharing opportunities and pursuing common development with the rest of the world. By continuing to promote modernization, ensure high-quality development, and decisively expand high-standard opening-up, China is providing positive impetus to global economic growth.
8. Japan's disregard for justice is causing international concern
On November 7, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that the "Taiwan incident" could create a "situation threatening the survival" of Japan. This allegedly gives the country the right to deploy self-defense forces. Takaichi's erroneous statements regarding Taiwan constitute gross interference in China's internal affairs, seriously violate international law and fundamental norms of international relations, and undermine the post-war international order. Her statements also violate the one-China principle and the spirit of the Four Political Documents signed by Beijing and Tokyo, undermine the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations, and have provoked strong outrage among the Chinese people.
Right-wing forces in Japan are currently accelerating military expansion, making claims of nuclear weapons possession, and attempting to revise the three non-nuclear principles. Dangerous trends toward resurgent militarism and attacks on justice and fairness are raising doubts and criticism among discerning figures within Japan, as well as high levels of concern among the international community.
9. The G20 summit was held on the African continent for the first time
On November 22, the Group of Twenty (G20) summit opened in Johannesburg, marking the first such summit on the African continent. Despite a boycott and resistance from the United States to the adoption of the outcome document, summit participants adopted a joint declaration on the first day, emphasizing the need to address global challenges through multilateral cooperation.
In 2025, China hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, Brazil hosted the UN Climate Change Conference, and Qatar hosted the World Summit for Social Development. This ushered in the "era of the Global South" in global governance. The collective rise of the Global South has become a significant factor in safeguarding world peace, promoting common development, and improving global governance.
10. Political upheavals in different countries
The political landscape has undergone significant changes in many countries over the past year. South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol was removed from office. Thai Prime Minister Phetongthan Shinawatra was also removed from office following a wiretapping scandal. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba suddenly announced his resignation. The Peruvian Congress voted to impeach President Dina Boluarte. Coups d'état also occurred in countries such as Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Meanwhile, far-right candidates have achieved significant gains in presidential elections in Poland, Romania, and Chile, while far-right parties have won record numbers of seats in parliamentary elections in Germany, Portugal, and Japan. Political instability, compounded by socioeconomic development challenges, highlights the complex global situation, characterized by interrelated instability and change.
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