Here are the key reports and articles that I found noteworthy from the People’s Daily’s edition from Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Page 1: The lead report today is on Xi Jinping’s speech at the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women. Xinhua has the English text. Xi made four big points, which basically align with his four major global initiatives.
First, we should jointly foster an enabling environment for women’s growth and development. Their all-round development is achieved under the prerequisite of peace and tranquility. We need to uphold the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and must safeguard world peace, so that all women can bask in the sunlight of happiness and tranquility and stay away from the shadow of war and turmoil. We need to enhance the protection of women and girls in regions struck by war, conflict, poverty or natural disaster, and support the vital role of women in preventing conflict and rebuilding their homes. We should improve mechanisms against violence and resolutely crack down on all forms of violence against women.
Second, we should jointly cultivate powerful momentum for the high-quality development of women’s cause. Modernization of the world should involve and benefit women. We should proactively address the imbalance and inadequacy of women’s development around the world, enable all women to share the benefits of economic globalization, and propel women’s all-round development. We need to seize the opportunity of the new wave of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, and empower women’s high-quality development through innovation. We need to support women in playing an even bigger role in green development, and strive to help them shine in life and realize their dreams in this era of global modernization.
Third, we should jointly develop governance frameworks to protect women’s rights and interests. We need to improve institutions and laws, introduce further tangible and accessible policy measures, channel more quality health and educational resources to all women, and strive to afford all women full and equal enjoyment of various rights. We must promote an inclusive and harmonious social environment that sets women free from discrimination and bias. We should broaden the channels for women to participate in and deliberate on political affairs, and support their extensive engagement in state and social governance. We should jointly nurture an environment that respects women, and morph gender equality into a common value and a code of conduct embraced by everyone in our society.
Fourth, we should jointly write a new chapter in promoting global cooperation on women. Not long ago, I proposed the Global Governance Initiative, calling for a more just and equitable global governance system with the people’s interests in mind. Women are crucial in reforming and improving the global governance system. We must support them in assuming their historic responsibilities, enabling them to play a substantive role in global governance and share in its benefits. We should support the central role of the United Nations (U.N.), urging it to pay more attention to the needs of women in developing countries, create broad cooperation platforms for women from all countries, and continually deepen exchanges and mutual learning, so as to help women across the world thrive and shine together.
He also announced the following:
In the next five years, China will donate another 10 million U.S. dollars to U.N. Women
It will earmark a quota of 100 million U.S. dollars in China’s Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund for implementing development cooperation projects for women and girls in collaboration with international organizations
China will launch 1,000 ‘small and beautiful’ livelihood programs with Chinese assistance that take women and girls as priority beneficiaries
China will invite 50,000 women to China for exchange and training programs
China will establish a Global Center for Women’s Capacity Building, which is aimed at conducting capacity building and other development cooperation with relevant countries and international organizations to train more female talent.
Next, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya is in Beijing. She met with Li Qiang and Wang Huning. The report on her meeting with Li says:
Li told her that: “China has always placed Sri Lanka at the forefront of its peripheral diplomacy. China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to promote traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and strive to build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future to better benefit the peoples of both countries.” 中方始终把斯里兰卡置于周边外交重要方向，愿同斯方弘扬传统友谊，深化互利合作，努力打造中斯命运共同体，更好惠及两国人民.
Li Qiang pointed out that the Chinese side is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with the Sri Lankan side, further expand the scale of two-way trade and investment within the framework of high-quality joint construction of BRI, advance key projects such as the Colombo Port City and the comprehensive development of Hambantota, and expand cooperation in areas such as green development, digital economy, modern agriculture, and marine economy, so as to better realise mutual benefit and win-win results. China is willing to import more high-quality products from Sri Lanka and will continue to encourage capable Chinese companies to invest in Sri Lanka. The two sides should deepen exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, tourism, women’s affairs, and local-level engagement. China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to implement GGI, strengthen communication and coordination in mechanisms such as the UN, and promote the practice of true multilateralism by all parties and the maintenance of international fairness and justice. 李强指出，中方愿同斯方加强发展战略对接，在高质量共建“一带一路”框架下，进一步扩大双向贸易投资规模，推进科伦坡港口城、汉班托塔综合开发等重点项目，拓展绿色发展、数字经济、现代农业、海洋经济等领域合作，更好实现互利共赢。中方愿进口斯里兰卡更多优质产品，将继续鼓励有实力的中国企业赴斯投资。双方要深化教育、文化、旅游、妇女、地方等交流合作。中方愿同斯方一道落实全球治理倡议，加强在联合国等机制的沟通协作，推动各方践行真正的多边主义，维护国际公平正义.
Amarasuriya reportedly said: “Sri Lanka firmly supports the one-China principle and believes that Taiwan, Tibet, and Xinjiang are an integral part of China’s territory. The Sri Lankan government attaches great importance to relations with China and thanks China for its valuable support for Sri Lanka’s economic and social development. Sri Lanka firmly supports the BRI and the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. Sri Lanka looks forward to further strengthening exchanges at all levels with China, deepening cooperation in investment, ports, infrastructure, agriculture, textiles, poverty reduction, the digital economy, promoting people-to-people exchanges in education, youth, and other areas, and strengthening multilateral cooperation to elevate Sri Lanka-China relations to a higher level.” 斯方坚定支持一个中国原则，认为台湾、西藏、新疆是中国领土不可分割的一部分。斯政府高度重视对华关系，感谢中方对斯经济社会发展提供的宝贵支持。斯方坚定支持习近平主席提出的“一带一路”倡议和全球治理倡议，期待同中方进一步加强各层级往来，深化投资、港口、基建、农业、纺织业、减贫、数字经济等领域合作，促进教育、青年等人文交流，密切多边协作，推动斯中关系迈向更高水平.
There isn’t anything substantive in the report on her meeting with Wang Huning.
Li Qiang also met with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. The two sides had elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership last year. The report says:
Li Qiang pointed out that the Chinese side firmly supports the Ghanaian side in taking a development path that fits its own national conditions, and is willing to continue high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative with Ghana, deepen cooperation in such fields as trade and investment, infrastructure construction, agriculture and fisheries, and energy, and work together toward the goal of modernisation. China looks forward to making good use of the zero-tariff policy for 100% of tariff items for African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, opening up new prospects for Sino-Ghanian economic and trade cooperation. The two sides should take the 2026 ‘China–Africa Year of People-to-People Exchange’ as an opportunity to promote cooperation in the fields of education, culture, tourism, and health, and enhance the people’s sense of gain from China–Ghana friendly cooperation. China and Ghana, both being important countries of the Global South, should strengthen coordination and collaboration, promote all countries to jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and safeguard the common interests of the international community. 李强指出，中方坚定支持加方走符合本国国情的发展道路，愿同加方继续高质量共建“一带一路”，深化贸易投资、基础设施建设、农渔业、能源等领域合作，朝着实现现代化的目标携手前行。期待用好中方对非洲建交国100%税目产品零关税政策，开辟中加经贸合作新前景。双方要以2026年“中非人文交流年”为契机，促进教育、文化、旅游、卫生等领域合作，提升民众对中加友好合作的获得感。中加同为全球南方重要国家，应当加强协调配合，推动各国一道维护多边主义和自由贸易，反对单边主义和保护主义，捍卫国际社会的共同利益.
As per the report, the Ghanaian side said that it “adheres to the one-China principle”, “supports” GGI and “will promote cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, mining, and other areas, explore new growth areas such as the digital economy and artificial intelligence, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.”
Next, there’s a report on Ding Xuexiang’s speech at the World Federation of Engineering Organizations 2025 General Assembly and the Global Engineering Congress. He said that:
“Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasised that engineering science and technology are important engines driving the development of human society. China is deeply implementing the innovation-driven development strategy, accelerating the building of a strong country in science and technology, making breakthroughs in key and core technologies, and promoting the development of engineering and technology to achieve a series of major accomplishments. While advancing its own development, China has continuously deepened international exchanges and cooperation, effectively promoting the progress of world engineering and technology.” World Federation of Engineering Organizations 2025 General Assembly and the Global Engineering Congress丁薛祥表示，中国国家主席习近平指出，工程科技是推动人类社会发展的重要引擎。中国深入实施创新驱动发展战略，加快建设科技强国，突破关键核心技术，推动工程科技发展取得一系列重大成就。中国在自身发展的同时，持续深化国际交流合作，有力促进了世界工程科技进步.
He added that the “UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires the engineering community to contribute its wisdom and strength”. In this regard, he made the following proposals:
First, strengthen openness and cooperation, and jointly build a global partnership in engineering and technology. Deepen intergovernmental strategic communication on engineering and technology, promote multilateral and bilateral mutual recognition of engineering qualifications and engineering technical standards, closely link global innovation forces through the bond of engineering, and forge a powerful synergy to promote the development of international engineering science and technology.
Second, strengthen frontier breakthroughs, and jointly seek scientific and technological solutions to global challenges. Focus on key areas such as green development, food security, and the energy revolution, strive to produce more leading scientific and technological achievements, and provide strong support for sustainable economic and social development.
Third, strengthen the sharing of results and jointly promote inclusive and beneficial development worldwide. Implement BRI Science, Technology and Innovation Action Plan, carry out cooperation in science and technology for poverty reduction, and support developing countries in better integrating into the trend of digital, intelligent, and green development.
Fourth, strengthen coordinated governance, and jointly create a sound ecosystem for the development of engineering and technology. Work together to implement the GGI proposed by President Xi Jinping, practice true multilateralism, promote the building of a global science and technology governance system centered on the United Nations and with equal participation by all countries, and create an open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for scientific and technological development.
一是加强开放合作，共建工程科技全球伙伴关系。深化政府间工程科技战略沟通，推进工程师资格和工程技术标准的多双边互认，以工程纽带紧密联结全球创新力量，凝聚推动国际工程科技发展的强大合力。二是加强前沿攻关，共谋应对全球性挑战的科技方案。聚焦绿色发展、粮食安全、能源革命等关键领域，努力产出更多引领性科技成果，为经济社会可持续发展提供有力支撑。三是加强成果共享，共促世界普惠包容发展。实施好“一带一路”科技创新行动计划，做好科技减贫合作，支持发展中国家更好融入数字化、智能化、绿色化发展潮流。四是加强协同治理，共创工程科技发展良好生态。共同落实好习近平主席提出的全球治理倡议，践行真正的多边主义，推进构建以联合国为中心、各国平等参与的全球科技治理体系，打造开放、公平、公正、非歧视的科技发展环境。
Finally, there’s a consolidated report (English report) on Han Zheng meeting with Papua New Guinean Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso and Bulgarian Vice President Iliana Iotova.
Page 3: There’s a report on China’s foreign trade data, which was released yesterday. So we now have the first three quarters worth of data. Here’s a breakdown:
China’s total goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms rose to 33.61 trillion yuan (about 4.73 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first nine months of 2025, up 4 percent year on year. The growth rate accelerated from an increase of 3.5 percent registered in the first eight months of the year.
For the January-September period, exports grew 7.1 percent year on year to 19.95 trillion yuan, while imports stood at 13.66 trillion yuan, a slight decrease of 0.2 percent. In dollar terms, total trade for January to September grew 3.1%. Exports grew 6.1% and imports fell 1.1%.
September trade increased by 8 percent year on year to 4.04 trillion yuan—the highest monthly increase so far this year.
For the January to September period, in dollar terms:
China’s trade with the EU grew 4.3%. Exports grew 8.2%, while imports fell 3.2%.
China’s trade with the US fell 15.6%. Exports declined 16.9% and imports fell 11.6%.
China’s trade with ASEAN countries expanded 8.6%. Exports were up 14.7%, while imports fell 0.4%.
China’s trade with Japan also grew 5.0%. Exports rose 4.4% and imports grew 5.6%.
Trade with Australia fell 5.7%. Exports grew 4.3%, while imports fell 10.5%.
Trade with Russia has been weak throughout this year. Overall trade has fallen 9.4% this year. Exports have dipped 11.3%, while imports fell 7.7%.
Trade with India, meanwhile, grew for the first three quarters. Overall trade expanded 10.9%. Exports have grown 12.9%, while imports have fallen 2.3%. In other words, the trade deficit has expanded too.
Trade with African countries has been robust. Total trade expanded 18.4%. Exports grew 28.3%, while imports also grew 4.3%.
Overall trade with BRI countries grew 5.2%, with exports growing 11.4%, but imports falling 2.3%.
In RMB terms, the report informs that in the first three quarters,
China’s trade with BRI countries totaled 17.37 trillion yuan, a 6.2% increase, accounting for 51.7% of total foreign trade, an increase of 1.1 percentage points. Imports and exports with ASEAN, Latin America, Africa, and Central Asia increased by 9.6%, 3.9%, 19.5%, and 16.7%, respectively. Imports and exports with other APEC economies grew by 2%.
China exported 12.07 trillion yuan worth of mechanical and electrical products in the January to September period, a 9.6% increase, accounting for 60.5% of total exports, an increase of 1.4 percentage points.
Exports of industrial robots increased by 54.9%.
Exports of wind turbines and parts increased by 23.9%.
Exports of high-tech products totaled 3.75 trillion yuan, an increase of 11.9%.
China was among the top three trading partners of 166 countries and regions, an increase of 14 from the same period last year.
Page 4: There’s a report on the launch of a new test satellite. This satellite will be mainly used to verify new optical imaging technologies.
Also on the page is a brief report confirming that Bao Gang is now the Acting Chairman of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.