Key facts
- China attempted multiple times to persuade Myanmar crime syndicates to cease scam operations.
- US President Donald Trump urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to speak directly with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
- Trump relayed Xi's criticism of Japan's security posture to Takaichi.
- China banned exports of some rare earth minerals to Japan following strained relations.
China made multiple attempts to persuade powerful crime families in northern Myanmar to cease their scam operations before Myanmar police conducted large-scale actions against these syndicates. This effort was highlighted as one of seven key stories from the South China Morning Post that resonated with readers.
Separately, US President Donald Trump urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to engage in direct dialogue with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi amid ongoing tensions between Beijing and Tokyo. According to Japanese government officials, Trump made this appeal during a US-China summit last month and later relayed Xi's criticisms of Japan's security stance to Takaichi during a phone call. Trump reportedly described Takaichi as a "strong leader" and encouraged dialogue.