【Epoch Times News, February 5, 2025】Epoch Times organizes articles readers must read every day:
1.
Mainland China Return Traffic Jam; Netizens Joke that Tail of Car is Hometown
February 4th (the seventh day of the Lunar New Year) was the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday in mainland China. Many people returning from work and those rushing back home from vacation were stuck on the roads again. Highways across the country were lined with long queues of cars. Netizens described highways once again becoming “parking lots.” Some netizens jokingly remarked that “the front of the car represents life, and the tail represents the hometown.”
2.
“National Progress, People’s Retreat” Reversing the Real Estate Industry? Industry Analyzes the Changes at Vanke
China’s benchmark real estate company, Vanke, is now the latest privately-owned developer to face a liquidity crisis. Following recent personnel changes, representatives of the largest shareholder, the state-owned China Iron & Steel Group, now occupy nearly half of Vanke’s senior management positions. The industry is shocked by the astonishing reversal of “national progress, people’s retreat” happening in China’s real estate industry, while insiders reveal that Vanke’s current crisis stems from the pitfalls of mixed ownership with state capital.
3.
Trump Imposes Tariffs; Some Taiwan Companies Plan to Move Out of Mainland China
US President Trump recently signed an order to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. During a Lunar New Year gathering in Taiwan, some Taiwanese businesses revealed that at least two Taiwan-listed electronics companies in China are planning to partially relocate their production out of China.
4.
Shanxi Merchants Fail to Keep Lights on as Ordered; Officials Break in and Turn on Lights
In recent years, the Chinese authorities have been carrying out “illumination projects” to beautify cities using lighting to create an image boost for the “showcase economy.” Recently, Datong City in Shanxi Province issued a notice claiming that to create a festive atmosphere, beautification and lighting work should be done during the holiday period, requiring local businesses to keep their lights on inside and outside their premises. Some businesses did not keep their lights on, leading authorities to send enforcement officers to break locks and forcibly turn on the lights, sparking public anger.
5.
Yuan Hongbing: Beijing Officials Claim Xi is “Dreaming” in US-China Relations
As President Trump’s second term begins, US-China relations have once again become a global focus. Yuan Hongbing, a legal scholar residing in Australia, revealed in an interview with Epoch Times that Beijing officials are hotly discussing how Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping is trying to deal with Trump on four major issues. However, the officials are not optimistic, believing that Xi is “dreaming.”
6.
Death of Da S; Taiwanese Internet Celebrity’s Comment “Reincarnate in China” Draws Criticism
Taiwanese famous actress Da S (Dee Hsu) passed away suddenly on February 3. It was reported that she contracted the flu and developed pneumonia while traveling in Japan, and despite unsuccessful rescue efforts, she passed away. The incident has left many people in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan feeling sorrow. An internet celebrity posted online stating, “May Da S be reincarnated in China and always be a Chinese,” leading to backlash from netizens.
7.
Second-hand House Prices in One Hundred Chinese Cities Continue to Decline for 33 Consecutive Months
The Chinese real estate market continues to be sluggish. The latest data shows that in January 2025, the second-hand house prices in one hundred Chinese cities fell by 0.51% compared to the previous month, marking the 33rd consecutive month of decline.
8.
Evergrande Automobile Issues Announcement: Still Unable to Find a Buyer to Push Forward Restructuring
Recently, there have been new developments regarding Evergrande Automobile. On the evening of February 3, Evergrande Automobile issued a business and operational update announcement. The announcement revealed that so far, they have not been successful in finding a strategic investor or buyer to help alleviate liquidity problems and push forward appropriate restructuring.
9.
Zhou Xiaohui: Chinese Communist Military in Panama in the Sights of the US
On February 2, after a meeting between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo, Panama pledged not to renew agreements with the Chinese Communist Party’s “Belt and Road” initiative. Pompeo immediately welcomed Panama’s decision and emphasized that this move is a “significant step forward” in Panama-US relations.
10.
Three Daughters Learn Traditional Virtues from Shen Yun; Mother Says, “Priceless”
Practitioners of Falun Gong can be found in various corners of the world and various industries, most of whom are ordinary members of society. However, suddenly, some previously obscure individuals have been thrust into the global spotlight by the venerable media outlet, The New York Times—these are the mothers of Shen Yun’s apprentice performers.
11.
Why Countries Quickly Reviewing Ban on DeepSeek Expert Analysis
Chinese startup DeepSeek caused waves during the Chinese New Year period but quickly faced backlash due to concerns over data security and cognitive warfare. Major Western countries, as well as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, have all taken review and restriction measures.
12.
Beijing Imposing Tariffs on US Energy; Why it Will Yield No Fruit
On Tuesday (February 4), Beijing announced a 15% tariff on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and coal from the United States in response to new tariffs imposed by US President Trump on Chinese imports. However, The Wall Street Journal believes that Beijing’s energy tariffs on the US are destined to yield no fruit.
13.
New Round of US-China Tariff War; Trump: No Rush to Talk to Xi
The new round of tariff war between the US and China on Tuesday (February 4) has become the focus of attention. US President Trump stated that he is not in a rush to talk to Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping.
14.
Panama Considers Canceling Port Agreement with Hong Kong Company
According to sources, Panama is considering canceling a port operation contract near the canal with a Hong Kong company. If implemented, this move would further distance itself from China after its commitment not to renew agreements under the Chinese Communist Party’s “Belt and Road” initiative.
15.
Why in US-China Tariff War, the CCP Will Suffer More Losses
On Tuesday (February 4), the Chinese Communist Party responded to Trump’s tariffs with a series of measures, including levying tariffs on some American products. Experts point out that the latest round of US-China trade war clearly demonstrates that the CCP is taking a careful approach in its response, as China would suffer more losses if a full-scale tariff war erupts. The CCP’s response to US tariffs this time is more symbolic.