China's 5% GDP growth announcement dominated morning coverage, while state media emphasized economic resilience narratives. Early reports focused on Vice President Han Zheng's upcoming attendance at Trump's inauguration, signaling Beijing's strategic positioning.
Mid-morning brought news of US "TikTok refugees" migrating to Chinese platforms, while Hong Kong authorities condemned US extension of protections for Hongkongers. A Shanghai lawmaker's proposal to dismantle the Great Firewall sparked limited discussion.
The afternoon pivoted to Xi-Trump phone conversation, their first direct communication since Trump's election victory. State media coverage carefully framed the call while US Supreme Court upheld TikTok restrictions. The day's trajectory showed Beijing balancing economic messaging with diplomatic positioning, as previous days' chip restrictions and Korean crisis receded from coverage.