February 12, 2026 – China Headlines

Story gist: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump stated that reaching an agreement with Iran would be his ‘first choice,’ while Netanyahu reportedly requested that any such deal not include an expiration date.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Xinhuanet frame the story around Trump’s direct statement preferring an Iran deal, using his phrasing verbatim. Center outlets like Sina Finance emphasize Netanyahu’s reported demand to Trump for a non-expiring agreement. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting potential focus on Israeli security priorities or U.S.-Iran negotiation skepticism.

Story gist: Hotel prices in Shantou, Guangdong, rose from 100-300 yuan to up to 4,200 yuan per night during Chinese Spring Festival. The surges prompted public discussions and complaints to local authorities.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets emphasize extreme price surges (over 4,200 yuan) with alarmist tones like ‘skyrocketing,’ focusing on consumer outrage. Center outlets highlight high demand and popularity as a top destination due to cultural appeal, portraying positively. Right-leaning coverage notes hikes (300 to 1,200 yuan), tourist workarounds like renting homes, and regulatory complaints, stressing market oversight issues.

Story gist: Xi Jinping visited grassroots cadres and masses in Beijing on the eve of Spring Festival.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like the Communist Party Tibet committee frame the story as a straightforward report of Xi’s visit to express care. Center outlets like thepaper.cn add commentary emphasizing stable expectations for 84 million people, highlighting policy reassurance. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting skeptical or critical perspectives on the event’s political implications.

Story gist: Chinese President Xi Jinping consoled military officers and soldiers before the Spring Festival. He mentioned anti-corruption efforts in the armed forces.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Xinhua frames the event as routine pre-festival troop consolation, emphasizing benevolence without highlighting anti-corruption. Center DW neutrally reports consolation and explicit mention of military anti-corruption. Right-leaning Wanwei interprets details as evidence of Zhongnanhai’s deep crisis, using alarmist tone to imply instability and omissions of positive aspects.