Türkiye has announced visa-free travel for Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports for tourism and transit purposes, effective January 2. This move, signed by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, aims to boost trade and tourism between the two nations.

• Chinese travelers can stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa.
• The policy follows a significant surge in Chinese tourists, with numbers increasing by 65.1 percent in 2024 to approximately 410,000 visitors.
• This exemption applies to those traveling for tourism and transit, reflecting Türkiye's efforts to capitalize on China's growing outbound tourism market.

President Xi Jinping of China and President Vladimir Putin of Russia exchanged New Year greetings, highlighting their nations' comprehensive strategic partnership. The leaders reflected on joint commemorations of historical victories and ongoing bilateral cooperation.

• The exchange of greetings occurred on December 31st.
• Both presidents noted the upcoming 80th anniversary of the United Nations in 2025.
• 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership and the 25th anniversary of their Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation.
• 2026-2027 will be designated as the China-Russia Years of Education.
• Cooperation areas include reciprocal visa-free policies, energy corridor construction, and emerging sectors.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi outlined China's diplomatic priorities for the upcoming year, emphasizing major events to be hosted domestically and a new model of engagement with the United States, while also focusing on safeguarding the interests of the Global South, promoting free trade, and countering secessionist activities.

• Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered these remarks at the Symposium on the International Situation and China's Foreign Relations in Beijing.
• China plans to host the second China-Arab States Summit in 2026 and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum events in 2026, which will also mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries.
• The country has extended its unilateral visa waiver to 48 countries, resulting in over 20 million visa-free entries (a more than 50 percent increase year-on-year) in the first three quarters of this year.

The United States' increased arms sales to Taiwan represent a dangerous breach of long-standing commitments, threatening both China’s sovereignty and the stability of China-US relations. This policy contradicts the "one-China principle" and international agreements, raising the risk of regional conflict.

• The US officially recognized the "one-China" policy in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as an inseparable part of China.
• China has imposed countermeasures against US military-related companies and senior executives involved in these arms sales.
• The article emphasizes that China's reunification is an irreversible historical trend, with arms sales only increasing the risk of misjudgment and confrontation.

President Xi Jinping delivered his 2026 New Year message, emphasizing the need for solid work to promote high-quality development and deepen reform and opening-up to achieve prosperity for all in China.

• China's economic output is expected to reach 140 trillion yuan ($20 trillion) in 2025.
• President Xi Jinping called for global cooperation to advance peace and development, highlighting China's commitment to a community with a shared future for humanity.
• Breakthroughs in AI models and semiconductor chip research and development have made China one of the fastest-growing innovation economies.