•Draft amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law submitted to the NPC Standing Committee, strengthening victims' rights and foreign-related procedures
Xinhua reported on 2 November that a draft amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law was submitted that day for deliberation by the 25th session of the 14th National People's Congress Standing Committee. The draft has 55 articles and would revise seven main areas: basic principles of criminal procedure; personal coercive measures; procedures for sealing, seizing, freezing and disposing of property involved in cases; further protection of litigation participants' rights; implementing the constitutional division of labour, mutual coordination and mutual restraint among the courts, procuratorates and public-security organs; juvenile criminal procedure; and foreign-related criminal procedure. China News Service reported the same day that the draft would strengthen protection of criminal victims' rights: where a victim, legal representative or close relative has not appointed a litigation agent for specified reasons, they may apply for legal aid; lawyers acting as victims' agents would have the right to review, extract and copy case files; if a victim dies, close relatives may request that the procuratorate protest a first-instance judgment; and where a victim bringing a private prosecution has difficulty providing evidence, the court may ask the public-security organs for assistance. On foreign-related procedure, the draft would make clear that China's Criminal Procedure Law applies to crimes by foreigners and to crimes committed outside China that are punishable under the Criminal Law, and would add that China may take corresponding countermeasures if a foreign country imposes improper extraterritorial criminal jurisdiction or discriminatory restrictions on Chinese citizens or organisations. The same day, a draft revision of the Renewable Energy Law was also submitted for first reading at the session; the draft has 10 chapters and 76 articles. China Daily, carrying Xinhua, said the Standing Committee began deliberating that revision draft on Monday. The session agenda had been previewed on 30 October (chinaday.news/i/57). Share · Copy
•Sultan Haitham of Oman arrives in Beijing for a state visit to China
Xinhua reported on 1 November that, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik of Oman arrived in Beijing that day for a two-day state visit. It is his first visit to China since becoming sultan and the first by an Omani head of state since diplomatic ties were established 48 years ago. China's foreign ministry had said it hoped to use the visit to advance the strategic partnership, with Xi to hold talks and Premier Li Qiang to meet the sultan. China News Service carried the Xinhua dispatch. Oman Observer, citing the Oman News Agency, said Haitham arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport and was received at the aircraft ramp by People's Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng and other Chinese officials, and that Xi would host an official reception at the Great Hall of the People on 2 November. Muscat Daily also reported the arrival and reception plans. Talks communiqués were not yet available and remain to be followed. Share · Copy
•Xi Jinping holds talks with Sultan Haitham of Oman and hosts a welcome ceremony
Xinhua reported on 2 November that President Xi Jinping held talks in Beijing that day with Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik of Oman, who is on a state visit to China. A separate Xinhua flash said Xi hosted a welcome ceremony for Haitham in Beijing. China Radio International, carrying CCTV News, said the talks took place that morning at the Great Hall of the People. China News Service and the Ministry of National Defence website carried the Xinhua dispatch. China Daily and Xinhua English also reported that Xi held talks with Haitham. The arrival had been published at 08:00 today (chinaday.news/i/69). A fuller communiqué on the substance and outcomes of the talks was not yet available, and a Li Qiang meeting wire had not appeared; both remain to be followed. Share · Copy
•Xi Jinping and Sultan Haitham of Oman attend signing of cooperation documents, including a currency-swap agreement
Xinhua flashed on 2 November that President Xi Jinping and Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik of Oman, who is on a state visit to China, attended a signing ceremony of cooperation documents in Beijing that day. People's Daily Online and China News Service carried the flash; China Daily and Xinhua English reported the same. The Arabian Stories, citing the Oman News Agency, said Haitham and Xi witnessed the signing of a currency-swap agreement between the Central Bank of Oman and the People's Bank of China, plus 14 memoranda and protocols covering green investment, artificial intelligence, space science and BeiDou applications, central-bank digital currencies, industrial and supply-chain investment, securities and futures regulatory cooperation, data and the digital economy, inspection and quarantine for dried dates exported to China, media and news, science and technology, competition protection, protected natural areas and vegetation, and historical documentation and archives; the swap's size and tenor were not disclosed. The talks and welcome ceremony were published at 12:00 today (chinaday.news/i/72). A Li Qiang meeting wire had still not appeared and remains to be followed. Share · Copy
•China and Oman issue joint statement on deepening strategic partnership; full Xi–Haitham talks communiqué released
Xinhua reported on 2 November (Ma Zhuoyan, Sun Nan) that President Xi Jinping held talks that morning at the Great Hall of the People with Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik of Oman, who is on a state visit, and that during the visit the two sides issued a Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Sultanate of Oman on Deepening the China–Oman Strategic Partnership. Xi said expanding and deepening ties is a shared strategic choice and that China is ready to take the partnership to a higher level; he called the visit the first by an Omani head of state since diplomatic ties began 48 years ago; proposed stronger political trust and exchanges on governance, plus cooperation in energy, industry, investment, AI, science and technology and people-to-people ties; and said the Middle East and Gulf should not become an arena of great-power rivalry or geopolitical conflict, with China ready to coordinate with Arab and GCC states including Oman. Haitham affirmed Oman's one-China principle and support for China's sovereignty and territorial integrity; said China has for years been Oman's largest trading partner; and expressed readiness to align development strategies and expand cooperation in trade, investment, industry, infrastructure, AI and science and technology, while praising China's positions on Middle East issues. After the talks the two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation documents covering supply chains, green development and digital finance; beforehand Xi hosted a welcome ceremony, and at noon a welcome banquet, with Wang Yi attending. People's Daily Online carried the Xinhua communiqué at 13:37. Oman Observer published Haitham's full speech the same day, in which he proposed exploring a preferential bilateral trade and investment arrangement with China and said Chinese companies' investment in Oman exceeded 33 billion yuan. Reuters, via Arab News and MarketScreener, said Haitham floated a preferential trade-and-investment deal at the start of the meeting and that Xi called deeper ties a shared strategic choice. The talks and signing ceremony were published at 12:00 and 13:00 today (chinaday.news/i/72, i/73). The joint statement's full text and a Li Qiang meeting wire had not appeared and remain to be followed. Share · Copy
•Full China–Oman joint statement on deepening strategic partnership released; confirms Li Qiang met Haitham and sets out energy, AI and regional-security points
Xinhua on 2 November authorised the full text of the Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Sultanate of Oman on Deepening the China–Oman Strategic Partnership. It says that, at Xi Jinping's invitation, Sultan Haitham of Oman paid a state visit on 1–2 November; Xi held talks with Haitham, and Premier Li Qiang met him. Across 20 points, the statement says Oman affirms UNGA Resolution 2758, the one-China principle and support for China's reunification efforts; supports high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the Global Development, Security, Civilization and Governance Initiatives; agrees to align the Belt and Road with Oman's Vision 2040; deepen oil and gas plus solar, wind, power-grid and storage cooperation; deepen AI applications, digital infrastructure, investment and start-up support and risk governance, plus space cooperation, with China welcoming Oman as a founding member of the World AI Cooperation Organization; deepen financial cooperation via the local-currency swap; strengthen military, security and judicial cooperation; push for an early China–GCC FTA and keep talking about hosting second China–Arab and China–GCC summits in China; call on the US and Iran to choose peace, return to the Islamabad MoU and restore normal safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz; and urge Yemeni parties to restart a political settlement through dialogue. It says the two leaders witnessed signing of documents on BeiDou applications, supply chains, green development, the currency swap, and digital payments and currency; Haitham invited Xi to visit Oman. People's Daily Online carried the full text the same day. Oman Observer separately reported that Haitham met Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People to discuss strategic cooperation and trade and investment ties and exchange views on regional and international issues. The talks communiqué, signing ceremony and the fact of the joint statement's issuance were published at 12:00, 13:00 and 14:00 today (chinaday.news/i/72, i/73, i/74). Share · Copy
•China to send special envoys on shuttle visits to Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Horn of Africa states to urge dialogue
Xinhua reported on 2 November that foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, to implement President Xi Jinping's proposals on Middle East peace and security and China's four principles for constructive engagement on African hotspots, Middle East special envoy Zhai Jun will visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November; special representative on African affairs Liu Xianfa will visit Ethiopia, Djibouti and Egypt in early to mid-November; and Horn of Africa special envoy Hu Changchun will visit Eritrea in early November. Mao said the simultaneous shuttle visits aim to urge talks, ease tensions and play a constructive role for regional peace and stability. China News Service and CCTV News also reported the briefing. Reuters, via Arab News, said Mao announced Zhai's Iran-Oman-Saudi itinerary and parallel African trips. Al-Monitor, covering Xi's talks with Oman's sultan, likewise noted the ministry later said Zhai would visit Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia this month. The itinerary follows the same-day China–Oman joint statement language on Hormuz navigation and regional de-escalation. Share · Copy
•Wang Yi meets Iran SNSC deputy secretary Bagheri, saying dialogue is the way to resolve Middle East conflict
Xinhua reported on 2 November that Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, met Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in Beijing. Wang said Middle East fighting was protracted and spilling over, that dialogue and negotiation were the way forward, and that parties should meet each other halfway and focus on a political settlement rather than returning to arms; China would follow President Xi Jinping's initiatives on easing Middle East tensions and keep working with all sides to restore peace. Wang said China–Iran ties had remained steady amid global turbulence, that China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty and security, and that Beijing would work with Tehran to further the relationship. Bagheri set out Iran's views, saying Iran would firmly defend its security, sovereignty and territorial integrity against coercion and threats while remaining open to contact and negotiation for regional peace; he praised Xi's initiatives and China's multilateral stance and looked to China for a greater role. China's foreign ministry site, China News Service (via CCTV News) and People's Daily Online also carried the readout. Yonhap, from Beijing, said Wang reiterated support for Iran's sovereignty and security and that Bagheri signalled readiness for talks while resisting coercion. The Straits Times, citing Reuters, said Wang urged political solutions over a return to arms and noted the same-day Xi–Oman talks and China's announcement of a Middle East envoy trip this month. Share · Copy
•Austrian Chancellor Stocker arrives in Shanghai to begin China visit, with economy minister and a roughly 50-person business delegation
Austria's krone.at reported on 2 November that Chancellor Christian Stocker and Economy Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer led a roughly 50-person business delegation that left overnight Sunday and had arrived in Shanghai; the programme includes the China International Import Expo, meetings with Austrian and Chinese business figures, and planned talks in Beijing with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, with the visit running through 7 November. trend.at and heute.at likewise said the trip aims to deepen ties and open opportunities for Austrian firms, naming companies such as Magna, Doppelmayr and voestalpine among companions, with political talks reported for Friday in Beijing. Xinhua's authorised dispatch on 1 November said Stocker would pay an official visit to China from 2 to 7 November at Li Qiang's invitation; People's Daily ran that item with a biography on 2 November. China's foreign ministry had previewed the visit on 30 October. Beijing talks outcomes and expo-related events remain to be followed when hard readouts appear. Share · Copy
•Li Qiang meets Sultan Haitham of Oman, proposing full oil-and-gas chain cooperation and early conclusion of China–GCC FTA talks
Xinhua reported on 2 November (Feng Xinran) that Premier Li Qiang met Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik of Oman, who is on a state visit, that afternoon at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Li said China–Oman ties had grown steadily over 48 years of diplomatic relations on mutual respect and equality; that Xi Jinping had held talks with Haitham that morning and set new plans to deepen the strategic partnership; and that China stood ready to carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate political trust, support each other firmly and deepen practical cooperation. Li said China would align development strategies with Oman, deepen cooperation across the full oil-and-gas industrial chain, launch more high-quality clean-energy projects, expand cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, space and satellites, ICT and artificial intelligence, and push for early conclusion of China–GCC free-trade talks; expand cultural and educational exchanges and ease two-way travel; keep close multilateral coordination as Global South countries; and, amid repeated Middle East turbulence, work with Oman under Xi's initiatives to restore peace and stability in the Gulf. Haitham said China is Oman's main economic and trade partner and that Oman looks to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in trade and investment, finance, agriculture and fisheries, manufacturing, advanced technology, clean energy, the digital economy and AI, and to strengthen coordination on international and regional affairs. State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Wu Zhenglong attended. People's Daily Online carried the Xinhua readout at 19:15. Oman Observer reported the same day that Haitham met Li at the Great Hall to discuss strategic cooperation and trade and investment ties and exchange views on regional and international issues; Oman's foreign ministry also published a readout. The fact of the meeting had been folded into today's 17:00 full joint-statement item (chinaday.news/i/75); the separate Chinese communiqué is this slot's new hard node. Talks, signing and the joint statement were published earlier (chinaday.news/i/72–i/75). Share · Copy
Monday 2 Nov close; STAR50 +3.11% to 1,196.94; Shanghai and Shenzhen turnover about 1.78 trillion yuan. CNH full-day close about 6.6435 (Investing.com); CNY is the 2 November fixing of 6.7146 (down 8 basis points, CFETS/Xinhua); the onshore yuan closed at 6.6458 at 16:30. Data: Xinhua Finance, Tonghuashun, Gelonghui, Yicai, Investing.com.
•China's RatingDog manufacturing PMI holds at 52.0 in October for an 11th month of expansion, with output rising at the fastest pace since April
RatingDog and S&P Global said on 2 November that China's General Manufacturing PMI was 52.0 in October, edged down 0.1 point from September's 52.1 and above the 51.6 Reuters-poll forecast, marking an 11th straight month above the 50 threshold and the longest expansion streak since mid-2021. Gelonghui, citing the survey, said output expanded for an 11th month at the fastest pace since April, with growth across all three monitored sub-sectors for a third month and investment goods leading; total new orders rose for a 17th month at a pace broadly matching September; new export orders rose for a fourth month but slowed to a three-month low. Output charges fell for a second time in three months and export charges declined for the first time in nearly a year, while input prices rose for a 16th month at a softer pace. Hiring was only marginal and backlogs rose for a ninth month; purchasing grew at the strongest pace since February, and business confidence slipped to a nine-month low. Reuters noted the reading contrasted with Saturday's official manufacturing PMI, which unexpectedly fell to 49.3 and showed the fastest factory contraction in three months. Trading Economics also recorded the October figure at 52.0 for an 11th month of expansion. Share · Copy
•China markets close: Shanghai Composite up 1.08% at 3,638.03, STAR50 up 3.11%; onshore yuan ends at 6.6458, extending multi-year high
China's three major A-share indices rose on Monday 2 November. The Shanghai Composite closed at 3,638.03, up 1.08%; the Shenzhen Component at 11,010.68, up 1.63%; ChiNext at 2,458.70, up 1.87%; the CSI 300 at 4,016.92, up 0.79%; and the STAR50 at 1,196.94, up 3.11%. Xinhua Finance said Shanghai and Shenzhen turnover was about 1.78 trillion yuan, some 109 billion yuan more than the previous session; Tonghuashun said about 4,630 stocks rose, 794 fell and 128 hit the limit-up. Cinema, gaming and media led gains, while precious metals, banks and coal lagged. China Daily English also reported the Shanghai and Shenzhen closes higher. The yuan's central parity was set at 6.7146 per dollar, 8 pips weaker (Xinhua/CFETS). SCMP said Beijing trimmed the fixing even as the offshore yuan traded at a more-than-four-year high, read as managing the pace of appreciation. The onshore yuan closed at 6.6458 at 16:30, up 99 pips (Gelonghui, Yicai); the offshore yuan's full-day close was about 6.6435 (Investing.com). The issue's market table, which had carried the Friday 30 October close since the morning open, is updated to 2 November. Share · Copy
•PBOC to run securities, funds and insurers swap-facility operation on 3 November; 31 firms seek over 100 billion yuan
China's central bank open-market desk said on 2 November in SFISF tender notice [2026] No. 1 that, to support healthy and stable capital-market development, it will conduct a securities, funds and insurers swap-facility operation on 3 November, with a one-year tenor that may be extended; 31 securities and fund firms have applied for more than 100 billion yuan. CNR, China News Service (via CCTV News), Yicai and National Business Daily relayed the PBOC notice. SCMP said the move aims to channel about US$15 billion into the onshore stock market to shore up confidence after a severe sell-off. Reuters, via MarketScreener, said the PBOC will run the swap on 3 November with 31 firms and an allotment of 100 billion yuan (about US$15.04 billion), allowing institutions to obtain liquidity to buy stocks. Newsquawk likewise summarised a one-year extendable facility with applications above 100 billion yuan. Final allotment awaits the 3 November result notice. Share · Copy
