December 18, 2025 – China Headlines

Story gist: Chinese policy statements emphasize making domestic demand the driving force and stable anchor for economic growth. Expanding domestic demand is identified as the top priority task for next year by the Central Financial Office.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets (Xinhua) use enthusiastic tone, highlighting ‘new pulse of high-quality development’ and ‘strong domestic market’ building new patterns. Center outlets (Sina Finance) report factually with direct quote on priority status. Right-leaning (China Economic Net) focus on practical actions like removing ‘blockages and bottlenecks’ to release consumption potential. All frames positive; no omissions noted.

Story gist: China expanded the boundaries of its international science and technology innovation center. The move positions it as an opportunity to enhance the center’s role as a strategic pivot point.

Bias summary: Left-leaning People’s Daily frames the expansion positively, stressing locally adapted measures for high-quality sustainable development with supportive tone. Center Sina News focuses on an interview advocating institutional fixes for ‘involution-style’ competition, emphasizing competitive flaws and reforms. Right-leaning outlets absent, omitting potential market-driven or critical perspectives on government-led expansion.

Story gist: Hainan Province in China launched independent customs operations for its Free Trade Port. Listed companies across multiple sectors seek policy benefits from the change.

Bias summary: Left-leaning People’s Daily emphasizes accelerating a ‘world-influential Chinese-style free trade port,’ highlighting state-led global ambition. Center Securities Times reports factually on openness landscape and corporate opportunities. Right-leaning Phoenix Net uses exclamatory tone, questions ‘what is sealed’ and personal relevance, framing accessibly for public.

Story gist: The U.S. Senate passed a $901 billion defense authorization bill. The legislation now awaits President Trump’s signature.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets omitted coverage of the story entirely, leaving those perspectives absent. The center outlet, Voice of America, framed it neutrally in its headline, emphasizing Senate passage and the path to Trump’s signature without added tone, controversy, or implications.