The Ministry of Commerce of China has announced adjustments to the Catalogue of Technologies Prohibited or Restricted from Export in China. Under the new rules, export restrictions will apply to technologies used in manufacturing battery components and processing critical minerals like lithium and gallium.

CCP Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that these measures are based on China's own needs, aligned with international practices, and adhere to principles of fairness, reasonableness, and non-discrimination.

CNN and Reuters both noted that this reflects an escalation in the tech war between the U.S. and China before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20.

Israel's international news channel i24NEWS exclusively reported on January 2 that U.S. intelligence agencies have uncovered a complex weapons supply chain between Chinese Communist Party and the Yemeni rebel group Houthi movement. This arrangement began when the Houthis started attacking ships in the Red Sea.

According to the report, CCP has been covertly providing weapons to the Houthis. In exchange, vessels flying the Chinese flag are granted safe passage through the Red Sea.