Beijing has announced sanctions on a slew of Western companies and institutions in the defence sector and a leading semiconductor data analysis provider, marking its latest salvo amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States.

2. China says foreigners are using its rare earth exports for military purposes

China has accused unnamed foreign organisations and individuals of processing its rare earths for military purposes as it announced further export controls on Thursday.

3. US embassy’s Chinese social media accounts fall silent amid government shutdown

The US embassy in China has stopped posting regular updates to its official social media accounts as a result of the government shutdown.