December
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Chinese state media started the day emphasizing President Xi Jinping's directives on volunteerism and contributing to national rejuvenation. Simultaneously, state media continued its focus on the Party's self-revolution and maintaining strict Party governance. Concurrently, Hong Kong media extensively covered the aftermath of the Tai Po fire, with reports detailing a rising death toll, reaching 151 by mid-morning, alongside public anger and calls for accountability, including arrests for alleged manslaughter and findings of unsafe construction netting. By early afternoon, Chinese state media announced French President Emmanuel Macron's upcoming visit to China. State media also continued to highlight Xi's directives on volunteerism, while Hong Kong media provided updates on the ongoing Tai Po fire investigation, including details on non-compliant fire-retardant materials.
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Chinese state media continued to emphasize President Xi Jinping's congratulatory message to Laos on its 50th founding anniversary throughout the day. Simultaneously, state media focused on directives for cyberspace ecological governance and promoting volunteerism, with discussions on the "15th Five-Year Plan" emerging in the afternoon. Early reports from Chinese sources mentioned French President Macron's upcoming visit to China, while Beijing bristled at Japan's potential missile exports to the Philippines. Hong Kong media, however, remained dominated by the Tai Po fire, with the death toll rising to 156 by late morning. The Hong Kong leader ordered an independent probe and warned against exploiting the tragedy, with reports of sedition arrests and a solicitor taken in by national security police.
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Chinese state media continued to highlight President Xi Jinping's directives on advancing Chinese modernization through the rule of law and improving support for disabled persons, with multiple outlets featuring "warm stories" about his care throughout the day. Concurrently, Hong Kong media reported a significant increase in the Tai Po fire death toll, rising to 159 by mid-morning, with calls for a commission of inquiry and an arrest over a fake donation website. Separately, China and Russia conducted strategic security consultations in Moscow, aligning on Japan-related issues. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beijing for a state visit in the late morning. China also reported the partial success of its first reusable rocket, Zhuque-3, with a failed recovery attempt.
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The primary focus of Chinese state media on December 4th was the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Beijing. Throughout the day, headlines across numerous state-backed outlets extensively covered President Xi Jinping's welcome ceremony and subsequent talks with Macron, emphasizing calls for expanded cooperation in multiple areas. South China Morning Post specifically reported Xi urging Macron to 'stand on the right side of history,' while DW Chinese added Macron's plea for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire. This comprehensive coverage built on Macron's arrival in Beijing reported late on December 3rd. Separately, the promotion of the fifth volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" in South Africa received notable mentions. Hong Kong media continued to report on the Tai Po fire aftermath, with details on relief efforts and investigations into 'hostile external forces'.
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Chinese state media extensively covered President Xi Jinping's continued meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, transitioning from formal talks in Beijing to an informal meeting in Chengdu, Sichuan. Early headlines focused on calls for expanded cooperation and multilateralism. Throughout the morning, state media emphasized their "friendly exchanges" in Chengdu, with Macron also visiting Sichuan University. By late morning, reports indicated an agreement on nuclear issues as Macron's visit concluded. Concurrently, Hong Kong Free Press reported four arrests for inciting invalid ballots in upcoming legislative polls and later on the Hong Kong government's criticism of a Wall Street Journal editorial regarding the Tai Po fire aftermath. VOA Chinese highlighted a proposed US bill to counter AI chip smuggling to China.
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Chinese state media continued its extensive coverage of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit, primarily focusing on his informal meeting with President Xi Jinping in Chengdu. Early headlines from state-backed outlets emphasized friendly exchanges and deepening relations, often highlighting their discussions on state governance and international cooperation, particularly concerning water management as a metaphor for governance. Separately, the South China Morning Post reported on official Chinese media calls to end name-and-shame campaigns against cadres. Later in the day, the focus remained on the Sino-French friendship, with reports about a joint anti-missile exercise between China and Russia also emerging. Concurrently, Hong Kong Free Press continued to report on the aftermath of the Tai Po fire and the ongoing Legislative Council elections, while VOA Chinese noted US House bills aimed at curbing CCP influence in American schools.
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Chinese state media continued to prioritize the informal meeting between President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron in Chengdu, with early reports emphasizing their friendly exchanges and discussions on state governance. Headlines across multiple state-backed outlets highlighted their talks on how to "make Sino-French relations more stable and better" in the new 'jiazi' cycle. Concurrently, Hong Kong outlets focused on the legislative council elections, which began with voting for the 8th-term LegCo and continued to be linked to the Wang Fuk Court fire relief work. Later in the day, state media further detailed Xi's specific insights shared with Macron regarding China's governance wisdom. Separately, a new Commercial Space Department was established by the National Space Administration, and the CPC issued revised regulations on its working bodies.
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Chinese state media shifted focus from the Macron visit to domestic policy, beginning the day by highlighting President Xi Jinping's economic thought and the revised regulations for CPC working bodies. Concurrently, a diplomatic dispute escalated with China rebutting Japan's claims of radar illumination by Liaoning jets. By late morning, the Politburo meeting became the dominant narrative, with extensive reports on its discussions concerning 2026 economic work and new regulations on law-based governance. The South China Morning Post noted the Politburo's pledge for a more proactive fiscal policy due to trade struggles. Hong Kong outlets reported on low voter turnout and a new high in invalid votes for the legislative polls, following the Tai Po fire relief efforts.
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Chinese state media continued its extensive reporting on the CPC Central Committee's Political Bureau meeting, which began on December 8th, focusing on the analysis of 2026 economic work and new regulations on law-based governance. By the early morning, this narrative converged with detailed features on President Xi Jinping's economic thought, emphasizing its role in guiding China's economic stability and long-term development, including the "Fifteenth Five-Year Plan" and mastering core technologies. International relations also featured, with German and US trade officials commenting on dialogue with China, and a US defense bill proposing restrictions on China and support for Taiwan. Separately, the US administration under Trump approved Nvidia's H200 chip sales to China, a shift noted by international outlets in the late morning and early afternoon. Concurrently, China and Russia conducted a joint air strategic patrol.
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