China issues first national fentanyl sentencing rules.
Today's events
Fentanyl sentencing.
Supreme Court, top prosecutor and police ministry jointly set China's first fentanyl sentencing rules — non-medical variants now judged at heroin quantity thresholds.1Oct 8 · Supreme CourtCurrency position.
The central bank published a formal position on the renminbi, saying China has never pursued competitive devaluation and calling undervaluation claims a misuse of assessments.2Oct 8 · People's BankNew energy system plan.
The energy administration said the newly issued 15th Five-Year Plan for a new energy system shifts energy security from resisting risk to systemic resilience.3Oct 9 · Energy AdministrationXinjiang vice-chairman charged.
Prosecutors indicted Chen Weijun, former Xinjiang regional vice-chairman and Communist Party standing committee member, for taking bribes of an especially large amount.4Oct 9 · Discipline CommissionPower market.
Electricity traded through market platforms reached 5.18 trillion kilowatt-hours in the first eight months, up 19.2 percent; green-power trades rose 7.7 percent.5Oct 9 · Energy AdministrationSupplier payment clauses.
Supreme Court and the business federation released mediation cases holding that “back-to-back” payment terms shifting big firms' risk onto small suppliers are not legally binding.6Oct 9 · Supreme CourtJapan called a threat.
China's arms-control envoy told the United Nations disarmament committee that Japan's government is accelerating re-militarization and now threatens regional peace and stability.7Oct 9 · China Military OnlineWorld Health Organization bid.
The foreign ministry confirmed China has nominated public-health official Song Li to run for director-general of the World Health Organization.8Oct 8 · Foreign MinistrySpace power goal.
A Qiushi commentary, Oct 9, notes the 15th Five-Year Plan outline names space power among 16 “strong nation” goals for the first time.9Oct 9 · Qiushi
Voices
“Exploring the vast universe, developing the space industry and building a space power is the space dream we pursue unremittingly.”
Xi Jinping, first China Space Day directive, republished in Qiushi · Apr 24, 20169
“The great majority of fentanyl-class substances have no medical use. Cases of smuggling, trafficking and manufacturing them have occurred in China, gravely threatening people's health.”
Joint Opinion of the Supreme Court, Supreme Procuratorate and Ministry of Public Security · Sept 181
“Simply blaming another country's exchange rate for one's own declining industrial competitiveness, weakened fiscal discipline and complex structural problems evades one's own adjustment responsibility.”
People's Bank of China, policy position on the renminbi exchange rate · Oct 82
“A serving Japanese Self-Defense Force officer broke into China's embassy in Japan with a knife and issued violent threats to our diplomatic personnel — an egregious incident unheard of internationally.”
Mao Ning, Foreign Ministry spokesperson · Oct 88
“Japan's current government denies its history of aggression, glorifies war crimes and venerates war criminals while accelerating re-militarization — a prominent factor threatening regional peace and stability.”
Sun Xiaobo, Foreign Ministry arms control director, at the United Nations · Oct 87
“The newly issued plan sets the strategic task of building a strong, resilient energy security system — lifting the paradigm from ‘resisting risk’ to ‘systemic resilience.’”
Fang Fengling, China University of Petroleum, in National Energy Administration commentary · Oct 93
Sources
- Supreme People's Court, “Supreme Court, Supreme Procuratorate and Ministry of Public Security Jointly Issue Opinion on Several Questions Including the Application of Law in Handling Criminal Cases Involving Fentanyl-Class Substances” (“两高一部”联合印发关于办理涉芬太尼类物质刑事案件适用法律等若干问题的意见), Fa Fa [2026] No. 12, dated Sept 18, 2026, published Oct 8, 2026. court.gov.cn/zixun/…/512701
- People's Bank of China, “Policy Position of the People's Bank of China on the Renminbi Exchange Rate” (中国人民银行关于人民币汇率的政策立场), Oct 8, 2026. pbc.gov.cn/goutongjiaoliu/…/rmb-exchange-rate-position
- National Energy Administration, “Building a Strong and Resilient Energy Security System” (构建坚强韧性的能源安全保障体系), Oct 9, 2026. nea.gov.cn/20261009/…/energy-security-resilience
- Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, “Procuratorial Organs Lawfully Initiate Public Prosecution of Chen Weijun on Suspicion of Bribery” (检察机关依法对陈伟俊涉嫌受贿案提起公诉), Oct 9, 2026. ccdi.gov.cn/yaowenn/…/t20261009_515841
- National Energy Administration, “Electricity Market Trading Volume Up 19.2% Year-on-Year in the First Eight Months” (前8月电力市场交易电量同比增长19.2%), Oct 9, 2026. nea.gov.cn/20261009/…/power-market-trading
- Supreme People's Court, “Solving Overdue Payments to Private Firms: Courts and Chambers of Commerce Join Forces — Second Batch of Model Cases on Diversified Resolution of Private-Economy Disputes” (求解民企账款拖欠，“法院﹢商会”合力破题), released with the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Oct 8, published Oct 9, 2026. court.gov.cn/zixun/…/513721
- China Military Online, “Chinese Representative: Japan Has Become a Prominent Factor Threatening Regional Peace and Stability” (中国代表：日本已成为威胁地区和平稳定的突出因素), statement to the 81st UN General Assembly First Committee Oct 8, published Oct 9, 2026. 81.cn/ss_208539/…/16491654
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Regular Press Conference Held by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on October 8, 2026” (2026年10月8日外交部发言人毛宁主持例行记者会), Oct 8, 2026. mfa.gov.cn/wjdt/fyrbt/…/t20261008_12036635
- Qiushi, “General Secretary Xi Jinping's Important Expositions Guide the Accelerated Building of a Space Power” (习近平总书记重要论述引领加快建设航天强国), Oct 9, 2026. qstheory.cn/20261009/…/space-power