International News 10 June 2026
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China–North Korea Deepen Strategic Ties
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a bilateral summit in Pyongyang on June 8, where both leaders agreed to broaden cooperation across political, economic, and cultural sectors. The meeting underscored their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing a more comprehensive strategic partnership. During the summit, both sides pledged to usher China–North Korea relations into a “new chapter” of cooperation. On the geopolitical front, Kim reaffirmed Pyongyang’s full support for Beijing’s One China principle, reiterating that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to a single China regardless of future international developments.
China Plans US$295B Data Center Expansion to Boost AI Ambitions
China is preparing to invest approximately 2 trillion yuan (US$295.4 billion) over the next five years to build a nationwide network of data centers, reinforcing its competitiveness in the rapidly intensifying artificial intelligence race with the United States. The massive investment underscores Beijing’s commitment to strengthening its digital infrastructure and expanding domestic computing capacity. According to a report by Bloomberg, Chinese authorities are drafting a blueprint for an interconnected computing network spanning multiple regions across the country. The initiative is being led in part by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), with details emerging from sources familiar with the discussions. The project is expected to serve as a key pillar in supporting China's long-term AI development strategy.
US Expands China Military-Linked Company Blacklist
The US government has released an updated list of Chinese companies deemed to support or strengthen Beijing’s military capabilities. The revised blacklist includes several major civilian technology firms, notably Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD. The move replaces the previous version of the Pentagon’s list issued in early 2025. The announcement came as a surprise, arriving less than a month after US President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where both sides agreed to preserve a fragile trade-war truce. The update to the Pentagon’s 1260H List, also known as the Chinese Military Companies (CMC) List, follows a period of bureaucratic uncertainty after a draft version was briefly published and then withdrawn in February 2026 without detailed explanation.