China Unveils Plan to Boost Domestic Consumption

China has unveiled a wide-ranging special action plan to promote domestic spending in an effort to counter the economic impact of tariffs imposed by us President Donald Trump.

The initiative, announced by the official Xinhua news agency, covers everything from boosting people's incomes to establishing a childcare subsidy system, and expanding a Cash-For-Clunkers program to trade in old goods like cars and electronics.

The plan builds on Premier Li Qiang's promise during a major political meeting earlier this month to ensure that the giant ship of China's economy will sail steadily toward the future.

The plan is ambitious but short on specifics.

It covers everything from boosting people's incomes to establishing a childcare subsidy system, and expanding a Cash-For-Clunkers program to trade in old goods like cars and electronics.

China's industrial output rose 5.9% in the first two months of the year from a year earlier, according to official data.

The data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) beat expectations for a 5.3% rise in a Reuters poll of 26 analysts. retail sales, a gauge of consumption, rose 4.0% in January-February, quickening from a 3.7% rise in December.

Reference Sources

1. bussinesstimes - Asia: Markets start week on front foot as China unveils consumer plan - The Business Times
2. cnnen - China unveils plan to boost consumption as Trump tariffs bite
3. thestarmy - China's industrial output growth beats expectations in Jan-Feb
4. bussinesstimes - China unveils plan to boost domestic consumption - The Business Times
5. thestarmy - China retail sales pick up as Beijing looks to consumers to ease US trade pressure

Trump and His Online Army are Swooping in to Save Tesla

(Source: Shutterstock)

Conservatives are rallying to support Tesla, led by Elon Musk, in a bid to offset a boycott of the electric automaker by liberals and Democrats or anyone offended by Musk’s actions.

However, analysts say such a rescue mission can only help to an extent as so many Democratic buyers appear to be fleeing Tesla that even President Trump’s best sales pitch is unlikely to woo enough new customers to fill the vacuum.

Tesla is facing a plummeting stock price, investor frustration, consumer boycotts, and sometimes violent protests at facilities across the country.

As Tesla shareholders press musk to return his attention to the firm that made him the world’s richest person, the event also highlighted how Musk’s deepening alliance with Trump has been boon and burden to his expansive business empire.

Tesla shares, which are also being pounded by fears of a trade war and weakening sales and deliveries during Q4 2024, have dropped almost 40% in 2025.

Reference Sources

1. nytimesen - Can Trump and Musk Convince More Conservatives to Buy Teslas?
2. washingtonpost - Tesla is in crisis. Trump and his online army are swooping in to save it.
3. markets - ‘Load Up the Truck,’ Says Top Investor About Tesla Stock

Breakthrough in ultra-low-temperature battery powers drone test in -36 °C 

(Source: Screenshot from the official website of the Dalian institute of Chemical physics Chinese Academy of sciences)

A research team from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences has announced a significant breakthrough in lithium battery technology, featuring a successful ultra-low-temperature drone test in Mohe city, northeast China's Heilongjiang province.

The technology allows drones to function reliably in extreme cold, opening new possibilities for aerial operations in harsh conditions. by maintaining stable performance at -36°C, the battery ensures uninterrupted energy supply, making it a promising solution for critical applications such as polar exploration, border patrol, disaster relief, and logistical transportation.

During the test flight, the Hexacopter drone maintained stable flight operations and met endurance expectations despite the freezing weather.

The drone executed rapid start-ups, high-altitude hovering, and complex path navigation without voltage fluctuations or sudden power loss, confirming the battery's exceptional low-temperature reliability.

This breakthrough marks a new breakthrough in high-performance drone power battery technology, said Chen Zhongwei from the DICP, the leader of the research team on the battery project.

The breakthrough promises robust power solutions for polar expeditions, border patrols, disaster rescue, and logistics in harsh environments.

Reference Sources

1. globaltimes - China completes successful lithium battery test at -36C for extreme cold applications
2. ecns - Chinese research team completes successful lithium battery test for extreme cold applications
3. xinhua - Breakthrough in ultra-low-temperature battery powers drone test in minus 36 degrees Celsius

The CommonWealth English daily news digest is a service curated by CommonWealth English team with the help of AI tools.

Have you read?

• Taiwan Takes a Tough Stance on China
• Under Economic Pressure, China to Drive Up Debt
• US Markets Continue Falling

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