Sales of China's high tech industry grew 16.1 percent year-on-year in the first two months of this year, the State Taxation Administration (STA) said on Thursday. According to the official WeChat account of the STA, sales of high tech services rose 17.2 percent, led by technology intermediary services, which grew 25.6 percent year-on-year. Natural scientific research and experimental development sales grew 17.4 percent. Sales in the high technology manufacturing segment rose 14.5 percent, driven by demand in low altitude economy services, commercial space activities and consumer electronics. Aerospace equipment manufacturing sales rose 28.5 percent, followed by an increase of 18.4 percent for electronic and communication equipment manufacturing, according to the STA.

A China-UK (Scotland) business forum and the UK roadshow for the 4th China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) was held in Edinburgh on Wednesday evening, bringing together more than 100 representatives from government, industry and academia to explore opportunities for closer cooperation. John Primrose, deputy director of Exports and Inward Investment of the Scottish Government, read the message from Scottish First Minister John Swinney at the forum. Swinney praised the strong and longstanding relationship between Scotland and China, and expressed hope that the two sides could continue to strengthen ties in the new year. Primrose said China is one of Scotland's most important trading partners, and many businesses in Scotland have Chinese ownership. He added that further efforts will be made to support Scottish companies in expanding economic partnerships in China and to welcome more Chinese companies to invest in Scotland.

China will accelerate research on legislation in artificial intelligence (AI) and the low-altitude economy, and introduce regulations on airspace management this year, Minister of Justice He Rong said on Thursday. The move is aimed at fostering technological innovation through an improved legal framework, the minister said, stressing the need to guard against potential risks and ensure both development and security. Improving the business environment will also be a key part of this year's legislative efforts, He said in response to a media query after the national legislature concluded its annual session in Beijing.

Apple announced on Friday that it will cut its commissions on in-app purchases that apply to the Chinese mainland from March 15, 2026.

The No. 1 generation unit of China's first nuclear power project with minority private capital investment in the eastern province of Zhejiang was connected to the power grid on Thursday. The China General Nuclear (CGN) Zhejiang San'ao project is the first nuclear power project in China to incorporate private investment. An investment arm of Geely Technology Group has a 2 percent stake in the first phase of the plant, which comprises the No. 1 and 2 generation units. Private capital investment in the second phase of the project, which includes another two units, has been increased to 10 percent as the country encourages more private investment in the nuclear power sector. Following the grid connection, the generation unit will start on-load trial operation and conduct power output increase and various performance tests before official commercial operation.

China has held the top spot in the global goods trade for many consecutive years and leads the world in outbound investment. China trades with 249 countries and regions, and more than 75 percent of the world's nations have joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The cumulative number of China-Europe freight trains has exceeded 120,000, and China has extended unilateral visa-free access to 50 countries. These milestones reflect a more proactive opening-up strategy that has delivered historic results and provided stronger strategic support for Chinese modernization.

China's decision to implement zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for imports from African countries with which it has diplomatic relations is expected to create new opportunities for agricultural trade between South Africa and China, a government official said. Speaking to Xinhua on the sidelines of the ongoing International Poultry and Livestock Exhibition Africa (IPLEX), Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, Gauteng's member of the Executive Council for Agriculture and Rural Development, said the policy could help expand Africa's agricultural exports to the Chinese market. "We welcome China's announcement to implement zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for imports. This decision presents a significant opportunity for Africa, and for South Africa in particular, to expand exports and unlock new growth in key sectors such as agriculture," Ramokgopa said.