Epoch Times News on October 16, 2026
1.
Guilin Yangshuo Applies Sulfur to Smoke Osmanthus Flowers, Public Concerns Food Safety
A mainland blogger known for exposing food safety scandals such as “formaldehyde cabbage” and “sulfur bamboo shoots,” named “Fishing and Hunting Brother,” released another undercover video on October 16, revealing numerous osmanthus flower processing points in Baisha Town, Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, using sulfur for smoking. The video showed that over half of the processing points in the area were involved.
2.
Mainland Female Anchor Exposes Dark Side of Group Livestreaming Industry, “Feels Like Escort Services”
The phrase “doing homework during the day, hanging out with bosses at night,” circulating within the mainland group livestreaming circle, starkly reveals the unknown gray industry behind the recent hot trend of online live streaming.
3.
Middle-aged Couples in Mainland China Embrace “Marriage Preservation” Trend, Sparks Discussion
Many middle-aged couples in mainland China “live under the same roof, sleep separately, earn separately, and shoulder things individually.” Recently, the trend of “not divorcing but enduring marriage” has become a hot topic on mainland social media platforms. Some describe that couples no longer engage in intense quarrels, lack mutual care and communication, maintain the label of marriage while emotional distance has already formed. Rather than getting a divorce, both parties seem more willing to maintain the status quo and live their own lives.
4.
SOE China Construction Seventh Bureau Owes Over 3.6 Million RMB in Wages to Hundreds of Migrant Workers
A recent official announcement by the Chinese Communist Party revealed a case where State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) China Construction Seventh Bureau repeatedly delayed paying wages to migrant workers, involving over a hundred individuals with a total amount exceeding 3.6 million RMB.
5.
Nearly 80% of Toys in the US Come from China – Revealing the Behind-the-Scenes Profit Chain
As the Christmas shopping season approaches, US retailers are ramping up their inventory. China is the world’s largest toy producer, manufacturing a significant portion of toys sold in the US market. From manufacturing in Chinese factories, shipping, paying tariffs, to finally being placed on shelves, how costs and profits are distributed across various stages sheds light on the profit structure behind US-China trade.
6.
Wang Youqun: CCP Escalates “Anti-Corruption” Efforts, Inner Turmoil Intensifies
On October 15, an article by Xi Jinping titled “Advancing Comprehensive and Strict Party Governance with Higher Standards and More Practical Measures” was published on the CCP’s “Seeking Truth” website, seemingly setting the tone for the upcoming Fifth Plenary Session. Before the 21st Congress of the CCP next year, the CCP aims to eliminate all opposition to Xi’s “fourth term” under the guise of “anti-corruption.”
7.
IMF: Renminbi Exchange Rate Undervalued by 21%, CCP Needs to Address the Issue
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated that China faces factors such as weak domestic demand, resulting in the undervaluation of the Renminbi’s real exchange rate. It urged the CCP to confront the issue, expand fiscal expenditures to address economic imbalances in China.
8.
Novel: Red Demon Chronicles (18) – Mao Zedong Manipulates from the Shadows with Sharp Tactics
After the meeting between Zhu De and Mao Zedong at Jinggangshan, various conflicts arose between them. With the intervention of Zhou Enlai, Mao Zedong was re-elected as the Secretary of the Fourth Army. The temporary detente of their dispute did not mean a halt to the CCP’s perpetual nature of internal struggle.
9.
UK Warns: Competition Between China and the West Extends to New Territory – Nuclear Energy
A UK Atomic Energy Authority official warned that competition between China and Western countries is expanding into the development of nuclear fusion energy. Once this technology reaches commercialization, it may reshape the global energy security landscape and geopolitical map.
10.
Reasons Behind Huang Qifan’s Incident Exposed – Past Relationship with Female Lawyer Uncovered
Dubbed the “political survivor” of the political arena, former Mayor of Chongqing, Huang Qifan, was officially announced to be under investigation on October 13, drawing attention to his family’s corruption and scandal involving a mistress. Reports indicated that both Huang Qifan and his son were taken away from their home together. It was also revealed that over a decade ago, Huang Qifan had a relationship with a female lawyer named Peng Jing.
11.
Analysis: China’s Daily Exports Increase While Domestic Economy Continues to Decline
Forbes columnist William Pesek noted that China’s economic situation in 2026 presents two distinct aspects – while exports show strong growth, the domestic economy continues to deteriorate.
12.
2026 World Culinary Awards Announced – Canadian Restaurant Wins Best in North America
The 2026 World Culinary Awards presented the “Best Restaurant in North America” to a Canadian establishment on Wednesday, October 14, while the title of “Best Chinese Restaurant in North America” went to one in New York.
13.
Li Yanming: Shanghai Faction Purged Before the Fifth Plenary Session, Sensitve Affairs Unfold
On October 13, 2026, retired high-ranking member of the Shanghai Faction and former Mayor of Chongqing, 74-year-old Huang Qifan was officially announced to be under investigation. Huang Qifan had worked in Shanghai for 33 years and had close ties with the family of former CCP leader Jiang Zemin and numerous influential figures of the Shanghai Faction. Before and after Huang Qifan’s downfall, multiple self-media outlets reported that several high-ranking officials of State Council level from the Shanghai Faction were implicated in Huang Qifan’s case.
14.
Cambodian Scam Master Exposes: PLA Attempts Recruitment and Planting of Sleeper Agents
An exclusive investigative documentary revealed that the large-scale tourism development project owned by Cambodian Chinese businessman Deng Pibing in Long Bay, Preah Sihanouk Province, Cambodia, was suspected of harboring hidden networks for internet scams, illegal gambling, and drug activities. The documentary showed that Deng Pibing claimed to have been approached by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and had been summoned to Guangzhou for discussions. The PLA also attempted to recruit one of his female subordinates working in the Cambodian National Police Security Bureau as a sleeper agent infiltrating the Cambodian government.
15.
US Establishes Fourth Multi-Domain Task Force to Counter CCP’s Anti-Access Strategy
The US Army has newly established the Fourth Multi-Domain Task Force to counter the CCP’s so-called anti-access strategy, aiming to prevent the entry of US and allied forces into the Western Pacific region and hinder support for the defense of Taiwan.