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At the dawn of 2026, a heavyweight announcement from China's Ministry of Commerce shattered the calm in Japan's industrial sector. The No. 1 Announcement of 2026, issued on January 6, explicitly prohibits the export of all dual-use items to Japanese military users, for military purposes, or for any uses that contribute to enhancing Japan's military strength. It also strictly bans third-party re-export, with violators to be held legally accountable. This...

On December 18, 2025, the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) officially launched full-island customs closure operations, with the comprehensive implementation of the special supervision system featuring "eased access at the first line, controlled access at the second line, and free flow within the island." This institutional innovation, covering zero tariffs on 6,637 commodity items and a low 15% tax rate, not only marks a new phase in China's high-level opening-up...

In December 2025, the United States escalated its sanctions against Venezuela from "unilateral pressure" to "armed vessel seizure + mass sanctions." A Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) was forcibly detained by U.S. forces in the Caribbean Sea, followed by 6 major VLCCs being added to the sanctions list. Additionally, more than 30 other tankers were reported to have entered the "target list for crackdowns." This sanctions storm not only pressured...

The U.S.-China trade tensions escalated sharply in October 2025 when the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) formally implemented Section 301 measures targeting China’s maritime and shipbuilding sectors. These restrictive policies have sent ripples across the global shipping industry, yet China’s shipbuilding sector retains compelling advantages for international buyers. I. October 2025 Trade War: Key Measures Reshaping the Shipbuilding Landscape a. U.S. Policy: Section 301-Driven Restrictions On October 14,...