The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) started its fifth plenary session in Beijing on Oct 26. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a work report on behalf of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and expounded on a draft decision of the CPC Central Committee on some major issues concerning strengthening full and rigorous Party self-governance with perseverance.

“Those who wish to build a house must first lay a solid foundation” This classic quote comes from New Discourses (Xin Lun), written by Su Zhe, a renowned literary figure of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).

The Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China will convene in Beijing on Oct 26-29. The central question is how stronger Party governance translates into effective, accountable and predictable implementation. Three tests are useful: predictability for businesses and local governments, verifiability of results, and the capacity to correct course when policies produce unintended effects. bjreview.com/Opinion/Voice/2…

China on Oct 25 marked the 81st anniversary of its recovery of Taiwan and observed Taiwan Recovery Day, with commemorative events held across the Taiwan Strait to honor the shared history of resistance against Japanese aggression and reaffirm calls for national reunification.

In recent months, mass-participation sporting events, including marathons and trail-running races, have been held across China. An increasing number of foreign participants are combining competition with travel, discovering the vitality of Chinese cities and their cultural appeal along the way. According to data provided by the organizing committee of the Taiyuan Marathon 2026, nearly 100 foreign runners from 12 countries and regions took part in this year's event, with the number increasing year by year. At the Shanghai Marathon 2025, foreign runners accounted for more than 13 percent of participants. The number of international participants rose from 32 in 2024 to 585 in 2025, covering 26 countries and regions.

Zhang Xue, founder of Chinese motorcycle manufacturer ZXMOTO, set a Guinness World Record on Oct 25 by riding a modified motorcycle 40.74 kilometers across open water in his hometown of Mayang Miao Autonomous County in central China's Hunan Province. Riding a specially modified ZXMOTO MX450, Zhang made several back-and-forth runs across a river to set the record for the longest distance traveled on open water by a modified motorcycle.

Rescue and relief efforts continue after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, with public health and epidemic prevention work underway in affected areas, according to local authorities. The earthquake, which struck Baqen County in the city of Nagqu at 10:33 p.m. on Oct 22, has left 16 people dead and 76 others injured so far. More than 12,000 residents were evacuated after the quake. To prevent public health risks after the quake, disease control teams in Baqen County have carried out comprehensive epidemic prevention work. The work includes infectious disease monitoring of more than 3,600 residents across 35 resettlement sites, disinfection of public areas and high-risk contamination spots, and drinking water safety testing, the earthquake relief headquarters of Nagqu said on Oct 25.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message to the 2026 Global Governance Forum (Xiongan) on Oct 25.

The Long March is a great story born in China, but its spirit belongs to the whole world. It has long transcended national borders and become a global symbol of pursuing ideals and braving hardships.

#BeijingReview An #exhibition commemorating the 90th anniversary of the completion of the Long March (1934-36) is being held at the National Art Museum of China until Oct 24 in conjunction with an exhibition focusing on Yan’an, Shaanxi Province, the Communist Party of China’s (CPC’s) base of operations immediately after the arduous strategic maneuver concluded. Together, the exhibitions bring to life one of the most pivotal periods in China’s modern history: the survival of the CPC after attempted annihilation by the Kuomintang party regime and its charting of a new course for the Chinese people. bjreview.com/Photo_Gallery/T…

#BeijingReview The most durable progress between the two countries comes from the people. #ChinaUS @EricHovagim bjreview.com/Lifestyle/20260…

Ahead of the U.S. #midterms, Stephen Orlins @sorlins, President of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, has spotted a curious shift in the political climate. Speaking at the 2026 Sustainability Global Leaders Conference in #Shanghai, he shares why he’s more optimistic about China-U.S. relations than he was just a year or two ago. #ChinaUS

China's commerce ministry said that the "China Haul" trend on overseas social media reflects the rising recognition and appreciation of "Shopping in China." Yang Mu, head of the market operation and consumption promotion department of the Ministry of Commerce, said the phenomenon, depicting foreigners who share their experiences and joy of shopping in China on overseas social platforms, has also been a result of China's high-standard opening up and the charm of fine traditional Chinese culture. While commenting on booming inbound consumption at a press conference on Oct 22, Yang said product categories favored by overseas consumers are expanding from traditional specialties such as tea and silk, previously the dominant choices, to tech gadgets, Chinese-style wellness products, beauty products and trendy toys.

The China-Europe freight train service passed 140,000 cumulative trips on Oct 22, a milestone that underscores its role as a reliable logistics corridor for Eurasian trade, especially as geopolitical tensions and disruptions to traditional shipping routes challenge global supply chains.

#BeijingReview Three Gorges poetry festival brought together #poetic traditions of the world's great #rivers. #Chongqing bjreview.com/Lifestyle/20261…