Entities from China
88 entities tracked across Lowdown briefings.
People
10Cai FangChinese labour economist warning that AI is destroying jobs faster than it creates them.
Chinese labour economist warning that AI is destroying jobs faster than it creates them.
Guo JiakunChinese Foreign Ministry spokesman who condemned the US Hormuz blockade as 'dangerous and irresponsible'.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman who condemned the US Hormuz blockade as 'dangerous and irresponsible'.
Lin JianChina's MFA spokesman; Beijing's public voice on the 2026 Iran conflict and Gulf tanker attacks.
China's MFA spokesman; Beijing's public voice on the 2026 Iran conflict and Gulf tanker attacks.LiuChinese map-data worker; plaintiff in December 2025 Beijing AI-dismissal precedent.
Chinese map-data worker; plaintiff in December 2025 Beijing AI-dismissal precedent.
Wang HuiyaoFounder of Centre for China and Globalisation in Beijing; prominent voice on China's international economic strategy.
Founder of Centre for China and Globalisation in Beijing; prominent voice on China's international economic strategy.Wang XiaopingChina's Human Resources Minister framing AI as a job-creation engine for graduates.
China's Human Resources Minister framing AI as a job-creation engine for graduates.
Wang YiChina's chief diplomat; hosting Araghchi in Beijing eight days before the Trump-Xi summit on 14-15 May.
China's chief diplomat; hosting Araghchi in Beijing eight days before the Trump-Xi summit on 14-15 May.
Xi JinpingChina's paramount leader since 2012; CCP General Secretary with no remaining term limits.
China's paramount leader since 2012; CCP General Secretary with no remaining term limits.
Zhai JunChinese diplomat mediating the Iran conflict as Beijing's Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs.
Chinese diplomat mediating the Iran conflict as Beijing's Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs.ZhouChinese QA supervisor; plaintiff in Hangzhou AI-dismissal ruling, April 2026.
Chinese QA supervisor; plaintiff in Hangzhou AI-dismissal ruling, April 2026.Organisations
48
Agricultural Bank of ChinaChina's largest rural bank by branch network; one of the Big Four state commercial banks.
China's largest rural bank by branch network; one of the Big Four state commercial banks.APT45A People's Republic of China-nexus advanced persistent threat cluster that sends thousands of recursive prompts to Gemini to validate proof-of-concept exploits against known CVEs.
A People's Republic of China-nexus advanced persistent threat cluster that sends thousands of recursive prompts to Gemini to validate proof-of-concept exploits against known CVEs.
Autel RoboticsChinese drone maker; suing the FCC over secret evidence and borrowed DJI allegations.
Chinese drone maker; suing the FCC over secret evidence and borrowed DJI allegations.
Bank of ChinaChina's oldest state bank, founded 1912; specialises in international trade finance and foreign exchange.
China's oldest state bank, founded 1912; specialises in international trade finance and foreign exchange.
Beijing People's CourtBeijing court; ruled in December 2025 that AI automation risk falls on employers.
Beijing court; ruled in December 2025 that AI automation risk falls on employers.
ByteDanceChinese internet company; parent of TikTok, Douyin, CapCut, and Lark.
Chinese internet company; parent of TikTok, Douyin, CapCut, and Lark.
CCTVChinese state-owned broadcaster China Central Television, the primary domestic television network of the People's Republic of China.
Chinese state-owned broadcaster China Central Television, the primary domestic television network of the People's Republic of China.
Centre for American StudiesBeijing-based academic institute studying US politics, economy and security; affiliated with Fudan University.
Beijing-based academic institute studying US politics, economy and security; affiliated with Fudan University.
CGTNChina Global Television Network, the international English-language satellite news channel of Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
China Global Television Network, the international English-language satellite news channel of Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
China Construction BankChina's second-largest state bank by assets; historically focused on infrastructure and housing finance.
China's second-largest state bank by assets; historically focused on infrastructure and housing finance.
China Manned Space Engineering OfficeChina's human spaceflight authority running Tiangong, Shenzhou, and the Mengzhou lunar capsule programme.
China's human spaceflight authority running Tiangong, Shenzhou, and the Mengzhou lunar capsule programme.
China Ministry of Human Resources and Social SecurityChinese ministry that recognised 42 new AI occupations and is drafting dedicated AI employment policy.
Chinese ministry that recognised 42 new AI occupations and is drafting dedicated AI employment policy.
China State CouncilChina's cabinet; issued Decree No. 835 on 13 April 2026 creating a Malicious Entity List aimed at countering US secondary sanctions.
China's cabinet; issued Decree No. 835 on 13 April 2026 creating a Malicious Entity List aimed at countering US secondary sanctions.
Chinese Foreign MinistryBeijing's diplomatic organ; condemns US Hormuz blockade publicly while Chinese tankers transit it under CENTCOM carve-out.
Beijing's diplomatic organ; condemns US Hormuz blockade publicly while Chinese tankers transit it under CENTCOM carve-out.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign AffairsChina's foreign ministry; principal diplomatic interlocutor and publisher of official summit readouts.
China's foreign ministry; principal diplomatic interlocutor and publisher of official summit readouts.
CNPCChina National Petroleum Corporation; China largest state-owned oil and gas producer.
China National Petroleum Corporation; China largest state-owned oil and gas producer.
CNSAChina's civilian space agency running robotic lunar and planetary missions, including Chang'e 7.
China's civilian space agency running robotic lunar and planetary missions, including Chang'e 7.
Communist PartyChinese Communist Party; the ruling party whose State Council issued Decree No. 835 as a reserve counter-sanctions instrument against the US.
Chinese Communist Party; the ruling party whose State Council issued Decree No. 835 as a reserve counter-sanctions instrument against the US.
COSCOChinese state-owned shipping giant; key conduit for sanctioned Iranian crude oil exports.
Chinese state-owned shipping giant; key conduit for sanctioned Iranian crude oil exports.
Dalian Changxing International Trade Co LtdChinese state-linked trading house that took a 95% stake in Hengli's sanctioned Dalian refinery.
Chinese state-linked trading house that took a 95% stake in Hengli's sanctioned Dalian refinery.
DeepSeekChinese AI lab releasing open-weight frontier models at a fraction of US training cost.
Chinese AI lab releasing open-weight frontier models at a fraction of US training cost.
DJIChinese drone maker; barred from US federal procurement and fighting $1.56B Ninth Circuit case.
Chinese drone maker; barred from US federal procurement and fighting $1.56B Ninth Circuit case.
Flax TyphoonChina-state cyber actor operating Raptor Train botnet to compromise global critical infrastructure.
China-state cyber actor operating Raptor Train botnet to compromise global critical infrastructure.
Fudan UniversityShanghai-based research university, one of China's elite C9 League institutions, founded 1905.
Shanghai-based research university, one of China's elite C9 League institutions, founded 1905.
GDSChina-based data-centre operator; operates in Southeast Asia including Johor, exposed to the 2026 Malaysia approval halt.
China-based data-centre operator; operates in Southeast Asia including Johor, exposed to the 2026 Malaysia approval halt.
Hangzhou Intermediate People's CourtHangzhou appeal court; upheld ban on AI-driven dismissal in April 2026.
Hangzhou appeal court; upheld ban on AI-driven dismissal in April 2026.
Hebei XinhaiHebei petrochemical firm, the only non-Shandong company in China's May 2026 Blocking Rules order.
Hebei petrochemical firm, the only non-Shandong company in China's May 2026 Blocking Rules order.
Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery Co. LtdChina's second-largest independent refinery; OFAC-designated and simultaneously Blocking Rules-protected.
China's second-largest independent refinery; OFAC-designated and simultaneously Blocking Rules-protected.
HuaweiChinese multinational technology conglomerate producing AI chips, smartphones and telecommunications infrastructure.
Chinese multinational technology conglomerate producing AI chips, smartphones and telecommunications infrastructure.
ICBCIndustrial and Commercial Bank of China; world's largest bank by assets, ~$6.3 trillion.
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China; world's largest bank by assets, ~$6.3 trillion.
Integrity Technology GroupBeijing cybersecurity firm sanctioned by OFAC; named as operator of Raptor Train botnet for Flax Typhoon.
Beijing cybersecurity firm sanctioned by OFAC; named as operator of Raptor Train botnet for Flax Typhoon.
MOFCOMChina's Ministry of Commerce; activates Blocking Rules to counter OFAC Iran secondary sanctions.
China's Ministry of Commerce; activates Blocking Rules to counter OFAC Iran secondary sanctions.
National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA)China's banking and insurance regulator, created 2023; oversees the Big Four state banks.
China's banking and insurance regulator, created 2023; oversees the Big Four state banks.
OKAIChinese e-bike and micro-mobility hardware manufacturer; took minority equity stake in Forest.
Chinese e-bike and micro-mobility hardware manufacturer; took minority equity stake in Forest.
People's DailyChinese Communist Party flagship newspaper; bellwether for official Beijing editorial lines.
Chinese Communist Party flagship newspaper; bellwether for official Beijing editorial lines.
PetroChinaChina's second-largest petroleum refiner; shielded from OFAC Iran sanctions by MOFCOM's 2026 Blocking Rules.
China's second-largest petroleum refiner; shielded from OFAC Iran sanctions by MOFCOM's 2026 Blocking Rules.
Salt TyphoonChinese state-linked APT with confirmed ongoing compromise of 200+ telecoms firms in 80 countries as of August 2025.
Chinese state-linked APT with confirmed ongoing compromise of 200+ telecoms firms in 80 countries as of August 2025.
Shandong JinchengShandong teapot refinery shielded from OFAC Iran sanctions by China's 2021 Blocking Rules.
Shandong teapot refinery shielded from OFAC Iran sanctions by China's 2021 Blocking Rules.
Shandong ShengxingShandong teapot refinery legally barred from OFAC compliance, buying discounted Iranian crude.
Shandong teapot refinery legally barred from OFAC compliance, buying discounted Iranian crude.
Shandong Shouguang LuqingShandong teapot refinery legally barred from OFAC compliance by China's Blocking Rules.
Shandong teapot refinery legally barred from OFAC compliance by China's Blocking Rules.
Shanghai Qianye Energy Co LtdChinese energy firm designated under EO 13902 on 5 June 2026 for facilitating Iranian LPG smuggling; the first mainland-China corporate named under Iran energy sanctions in the 2026 war.
Chinese energy firm designated under EO 13902 on 5 June 2026 for facilitating Iranian LPG smuggling; the first mainland-China corporate named under Iran energy sanctions in the 2026 war.
Shanghai Xuanrun ShippingChinese shipping company; OFAC-sanctioned owner of tankers Rich Starry and Murlikishan, both of which slipped the Hormuz blockade.
Chinese shipping company; OFAC-sanctioned owner of tankers Rich Starry and Murlikishan, both of which slipped the Hormuz blockade.
SinopecChina's largest petroleum refiner; protected from OFAC Iran sanctions by MOFCOM's May 2026 Blocking Rules.
China's largest petroleum refiner; protected from OFAC Iran sanctions by MOFCOM's May 2026 Blocking Rules.
TeleflyChinese jet-engine manufacturer supplying Russian Geranium-3 and Geranium-5 loitering munitions.
Chinese jet-engine manufacturer supplying Russian Geranium-3 and Geranium-5 loitering munitions.
UNC5221Chinese state-aligned APT targeting Western legal services and BPOs via 393-day BRICKSTORM backdoor on VMware infrastructure.
Chinese state-aligned APT targeting Western legal services and BPOs via 393-day BRICKSTORM backdoor on VMware infrastructure.
Volt TyphoonChina-state actor pre-positioning in US critical infrastructure; operates KV Botnet for covert relay.
China-state actor pre-positioning in US critical infrastructure; operates KV Botnet for covert relay.
Xinhai PetrochemicalShandong teapot refinery; shielded by China's MOFCOM Announcement No. 21 against OFAC Iran-related sanctions as part of Beijing's systemic blocking response.
Shandong teapot refinery; shielded by China's MOFCOM Announcement No. 21 against OFAC Iran-related sanctions as part of Beijing's systemic blocking response.
XinhuaChina's official state news agency; the largest in the world by bureaux and correspondents.
China's official state news agency; the largest in the world by bureaux and correspondents.Nations & Places
7
BeijingCapital of the People's Republic of China; seat of the Communist Party and global diplomatic counterweight.
Capital of the People's Republic of China; seat of the Communist Party and global diplomatic counterweight.
ChinaThe People's Republic of China; permanent UN Security Council member and world's second-largest economy.
The People's Republic of China; permanent UN Security Council member and world's second-largest economy.
DalianMajor Chinese port city in Liaoning; location of Hengli Petrochemical's OFAC-designated refinery.
Major Chinese port city in Liaoning; location of Hengli Petrochemical's OFAC-designated refinery.
DongyingShandong port city; destination for diverted Iranian crude as GL-U lapsed April 2026.
Shandong port city; destination for diverted Iranian crude as GL-U lapsed April 2026.
ShanghaiChina's largest city; global financial centre and the world's busiest container port.
China's largest city; global financial centre and the world's busiest container port.
Wenchang Satellite Launch CenterChina's heavy-lift launch centre on Hainan Island; primary site for lunar and deep-space missions.
China's heavy-lift launch centre on Hainan Island; primary site for lunar and deep-space missions.
XinjiangAutonomous region in north-west China; site of mass surveillance, Uyghur detention, and the 2009 ten-month internet isolation.
Autonomous region in north-west China; site of mass surveillance, Uyghur detention, and the 2009 ten-month internet isolation.Legislation
6
Anti-Foreign Sanctions LawChina's 2021 statute authorising retaliatory countermeasures against foreign sanctions targeting Chinese entities.
China's 2021 statute authorising retaliatory countermeasures against foreign sanctions targeting Chinese entities.
China Blocking RulesChina's 2021 law barring compliance with foreign sanctions; first activated 2 May 2026.
China's 2021 law barring compliance with foreign sanctions; first activated 2 May 2026.
China Labor Contract Law2008 PRC employment law; Article 40's change-of-circumstances clause governs AI dismissal.
2008 PRC employment law; Article 40's change-of-circumstances clause governs AI dismissal.
Decree No. 835Chinese State Council executive decree of 13 April 2026 creating a Malicious Entity List as a reserve counter-sanctions instrument against the US.
Chinese State Council executive decree of 13 April 2026 creating a Malicious Entity List as a reserve counter-sanctions instrument against the US.
Malicious Entity ListChina's State Council list created by Decree No. 835 on 13 April 2026 to counter US secondary sanctions; not yet activated as of 28 April.
China's State Council list created by Decree No. 835 on 13 April 2026 to counter US secondary sanctions; not yet activated as of 28 April.
MOFCOM Announcement No. 21Chinese Ministry of Commerce order issued 2 May 2026 activating the 2021 Blocking Rules and creating a private right of action in Chinese courts against Western firms complying with US Iran sanctions.
Chinese Ministry of Commerce order issued 2 May 2026 activating the 2021 Blocking Rules and creating a private right of action in Chinese courts against Western firms complying with US Iran sanctions.Concepts
3
Chinese yuanChina's currency; used by Hengli to settle Iran oil outside dollar-rail systems.
China's currency; used by Hengli to settle Iran oil outside dollar-rail systems.
Trump-Xi summit14-15 May 2026 Beijing bilateral; Trump's first overseas trip; US-China trade, Iran, and Taiwan agenda.
14-15 May 2026 Beijing bilateral; Trump's first overseas trip; US-China trade, Iran, and Taiwan agenda.
WDR4300TP-Link WDR4300 SOHO router model compromised by APT28 for DNS hijacking to harvest Microsoft 365 credentials.
TP-Link WDR4300 SOHO router model compromised by APT28 for DNS hijacking to harvest Microsoft 365 credentials.Products
9
CapCutByteDance's mobile and desktop video editing app; over 500 million monthly active users.
ByteDance's mobile and desktop video editing app; over 500 million monthly active users.
Chang'e 7Chinese four-element lunar south-pole spacecraft targeting Shackleton crater, launching H2 2026.
Chinese four-element lunar south-pole spacecraft targeting Shackleton crater, launching H2 2026.
ElpisUS-sanctioned Chinese-owned tanker that transited Hormuz on blockade Day 2.
US-sanctioned Chinese-owned tanker that transited Hormuz on blockade Day 2.
LanyueChina's crewed lunar lander, scheduled for first test flight in 2027.
China's crewed lunar lander, scheduled for first test flight in 2027.
MengzhouChina's crewed lunar capsule, with robotic test flight scheduled for 2026.
China's crewed lunar capsule, with robotic test flight scheduled for 2026.
MurlikishanUS-sanctioned Chinese tanker; sister ship of Rich Starry, transited Hormuz on blockade day two to load fuel oil in Iraq.
US-sanctioned Chinese tanker; sister ship of Rich Starry, transited Hormuz on blockade day two to load fuel oil in Iraq.
Rich StarryUS-sanctioned Chinese tanker; first vessel through Hormuz after CENTCOM blockade began, carrying 250k barrels.
US-sanctioned Chinese tanker; first vessel through Hormuz after CENTCOM blockade began, carrying 250k barrels.
Seedance 2.0ByteDance video-generation AI; halted globally after MPA cease-and-desist for IP infringement.
ByteDance video-generation AI; halted globally after MPA cease-and-desist for IP infringement.
TP-Link WR841NConsumer TP-Link router exploited by APT28 via CVE-2023-50224 for DNS hijacking to steal Microsoft 365 credentials.
Consumer TP-Link router exploited by APT28 via CVE-2023-50224 for DNS hijacking to steal Microsoft 365 credentials.Technology
5
BRICKSTORMGo-based backdoor deployed by UNC5221 on VMware vCenter/ESXi; 393-day median dwell time, C2 via Cloudflare Workers.
Go-based backdoor deployed by UNC5221 on VMware vCenter/ESXi; 393-day median dwell time, C2 via Cloudflare Workers.
KV BotnetVolt Typhoon's covert relay botnet of end-of-life Cisco and Netgear routers targeting US CNI.
Volt Typhoon's covert relay botnet of end-of-life Cisco and Netgear routers targeting US CNI.
Long March 10China's heavy-lift rocket for crewed lunar missions, generating 2,678 tonnes thrust.
China's heavy-lift rocket for crewed lunar missions, generating 2,678 tonnes thrust.
Raptor Train200,000-device botnet of compromised SOHO routers and cameras; operated by Flax Typhoon via Integrity Technology Group.
200,000-device botnet of compromised SOHO routers and cameras; operated by Flax Typhoon via Integrity Technology Group.
SNOWUNC6692's modular malware ecosystem; SNOWBELT browser backdoor, SNOWGLAZE tunneller, SNOWBASIN RCE server.
UNC6692's modular malware ecosystem; SNOWBELT browser backdoor, SNOWGLAZE tunneller, SNOWBASIN RCE server.