December 27, 2025 – China Headlines

Story gist: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed at least a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for a national referendum on a peace plan. He stated that a Ukraine-US security agreement is nearing completion, with signing dependent on a meeting with Donald Trump.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Xinhua directly headlines Zelensky’s 60-day ceasefire offer for peace plan referendum, emphasizing Ukrainian concessions. Center-leaning The Paper shifts focus to the Ukraine-US security pact nearing completion conditional on Trump talks, highlighting alliances. Right-leaning coverage absent, missing potential emphasis on Trump negotiation leverage or skepticism of Zelensky proposals.

Story gist: The Chinese Communist Party’s Central Politburo held its year-end democratic life meeting. CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over the meeting and delivered a speech.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets (e.g., Beijing Government) frame it as a standard official event highlighting Xi’s presiding role and ‘important speech,’ using formal tone. Center outlets (RFI) emphasize ‘revealed information,’ suggesting analytical focus on disclosures. Right-leaning (Guangming Net) spotlight Xi’s quote on cadres’ need for clear-headedness and strict self-discipline, stressing internal rectification without broader context.

Story gist: China’s high-speed rail operational mileage exceeded 50,000 kilometers. The milestone coincided with the opening of the first high-speed rail line in Yan’an, Shaanxi province.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Xinhua emphasizes patriotic framing, highlighting the line’s opening in ‘revolutionary holy land’ Yan’an on the Loess Plateau as a historic thoroughfare. Center outlet Sina Finance portrays the 50,000 km as an economic ‘benchmark’ on the ‘road to rejuvenation.’ Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting potential critiques on costs, debt, or overcapacity.