November 20, 2025 – China Headlines

Story gist: Japanese politician Sanae Takaichi made remarks on historical issues, drawing criticism from Chinese state media Xinhua. Xinhua published a commentary stating that Takaichi’s attempt to reverse history will fail. The controversy involves Taiwan maintaining a low profile amid Sino-Japanese tensions.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Xinhua and People’s Daily frame the story with strong condemnation of Takaichi’s ‘historical revisionism,’ emphasizing China’s firm stance against Japanese denialism and predicting failure, omitting broader context. Center outlets like BBC adopt a neutral tone, highlighting the controversy’s escalation and Taiwan’s cautious response in Sino-Japanese rivalry, providing balanced geopolitical analysis. Right-leaning perspectives are absent, leaving out potential support for Japanese conservative views or criticism of Chinese propaganda.

Story gist: The Panjin City Meteorological Observatory issued a blue warning signal for strong winds, level IV/general. This alert covers southeastern and southern offshore areas of China as cold wave influences end.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like People’s Net frame the story with broader context, emphasizing the end of cold wave effects and extending wind warnings to southeastern and southern coastal regions, using a reassuring tone on weather normalization. Center outlets, such as China Meteorological Bureau, provide a direct, factual report on the Panjin alert without additional context. Right-leaning perspectives are absent, leaving out potential emphases on local impacts or skepticism toward official warnings.

Story gist: Xi Jinping issued important instructions on comprehensive rule of law work. Discipline inspection and supervision cadres studied and implemented these instructions to advance rule-of-law construction in China.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets, such as the Beijing Municipal Government source, frame the story positively, emphasizing Xi Jinping’s leadership and the cadres’ earnest study to promote national progress in rule of law. Center- and right-leaning outlets provide no coverage, indicating an absence of neutral or critical perspectives, possibly due to limited access or disinterest in state-directed narratives outside official channels.

Story gist: The 15th National Games occurred in China’s Greater Bay Area, stimulating over 140% growth in local consumption and catering sectors.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Xinhua frame the story with celebratory tone, emphasizing national achievements, deep regional integration, and accelerated development to highlight unity and progress. Center outlets like Sina Finance use poetic language focusing on economic vibrancy and shining prosperity in the ‘Pearl of the Orient.’ Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting potential critiques on event costs, economic sustainability, or regional disparities.