Epoch Times Daily Briefing for Readers – October 12, 2025
1.
Heilongjiang Jixi Sees Houses Priced at 10,000 Yuan per Set Surging on Hot Searches
Recently, a video titled “Jixi, Northeast China, House Price 153 Yuan/square meter” on mainland social media platforms has attracted widespread attention and comments, with over 100,000 reposts and becoming a hot search topic. A local real estate agent stated that this is a rare occurrence, but public information shows that in Hengshan District of Jixi City, there are indeed properties priced under 100,000 yuan in total, with a unit price of only a few hundred yuan per square meter.
2.
Foreign Capital: Parkson Beijing Store, Din Tai Fung Online Mall to Close
The trend of closures in mainland China’s physical retail industry continues to spread. Malaysian chain store “Parkson Group” announced the closure of Parkson Shopping Mall near Beijing’s Xinxingmen on December 31 this year. This is its first store in mainland China and the last one in Beijing. Beijing residents expressed regret over the news. Taiwanese renowned restaurant Din Tai Fung has also been closing stores in recent years, with its WeChat online mall set to close at the end of next month.
3.
4.7 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Lushan County, Sichuan – Tremors Felt in Many Areas
On the afternoon of October 12, a 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck Lushan County in Ya’an City, Sichuan, with a depth of 10 kilometers. Netizens in Chengdu, Leshan, and other places reported feeling the tremors. Some netizens described it as “very frightening.”
4.
Guangdong Youth Jailed for Posting Anti-Communist Leaflets Flees Overseas for Freedom
On October 8, Guangdong youth Chen Bangchao from Qingyuan finally escaped the suffocating rule of the Chinese Communist Party. He is currently stranded at Kuala Lumpur Airport in Malaysia. Although he has not completely escaped the dangerous situation, he is very pleased with his escape from imprisonment for posting anti-communist slogans and is seeking government asylum.
5.
Chinese Communist Party’s Intimidation Escalates – White Powder Sent to Epoch Times Office
On Tuesday, October 7, the Epoch Times received an envelope containing white powder, the threat behind it was evident.
6.
Wang Youqun: The Mystery of Jiang Qing’s First Secretary Imprisoned in Qincheng Prison for Eight Years
After the outbreak of the Cultural Revolution in May 1966, Jiang Qing, the wife of CCP leader Mao Zedong, was appointed Vice Chairman of the Central Cultural Revolution Group.
7.
CCP’s “Tobacco Tiger” Han Zhanwu Investigated
On October 12, the official report stated that Han Zhanwu, a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s State Tobacco Monopoly Administration and deputy director, is suspected of serious violations of discipline and law and is under investigation. He became the 46th senior party official to be investigated this year.
8.
Harvard Economist: CCP’s Rare Earth Card Will Weaken its Monopoly Position
Just as the US-China trade war seemed to ease, the CCP suddenly imposed the strongest restriction ever on rare earths, shocking the Trump administration and global markets. However, a former chief economist of the IMF told Epoch Times that this is the CCP’s negotiation strategy. He pointed out that the CCP using rare earths as a trump card will significantly weaken its position.
9.
Who Harmed Yu Menglong? Alleged Hidden Message in Fan Shiqi’s Weibo Post
Mainland actor Yu Menglong fell to his death on September 11, with many questions surrounding the case. The Beijing police quickly closed the case citing “no criminal suspicion,” but public doubts continue. Fan Shiqi, an actor suspected to be one of the perpetrators, faced widespread boycott by netizens. On October 11, screenshots of a Weibo post allegedly confessing to killing Yu Menglong by Fan Shiqi went viral, sparking widespread attention and discussion.
10.
Forbidden City Sends Robots to Explore Hidden Drainage Channels Revealing Rainwater Discharge Process
On October 11, the topic of “15-kilometer underground channel in the Forbidden City” trended on Baidu. According to Chinese media reports, people for the first time saw the 15-kilometer underground channel in the Forbidden City diverting rainwater into the Jingshui River and draining it outside the Forbidden City.
11.
Controversy Surrounds China’s Centenarian Academician During Birthday Banquet
Recently, Chinese academician Zhong Shizhen of the Chinese Academy of Engineering issued a statement stating that during his centenary birthday banquet, he was harassed and manipulated into taking photos by five individuals pretending to be students, leading him to issue a stern statement asserting his rights. This action has sparked discussions among netizens.
12.
Zong Fuli Resigns as Chairman of Wahaha, Losing Control of Family Business
Multiple media outlets confirmed that on September 12, Zong Fuli officially resigned from all positions including chairman and legal representative of the Wahaha Group. This occurred just over a year after the passing of her father, Wahaha founder Zong Qinghou. Behind this personnel change lies a complex interplay involving the use of the “Wahaha” trademark, inheritance of a multi-billion-dollar estate, and the power struggle between state-owned shareholders and family control.
13.
Another Tremor in CCP’s Sports Circle – Former Director of Olympic Center, Chen Yingbiao, Arrested
The upheaval in the CCP’s sports community continues. Recently, former director of the China Sports Administration’s Olympic Sports Center, Chen Yingbiao, has been arrested. Chen had long served in various positions within the National Sports Administration and had participated in managing multiple sporting events.
14.
Chinese Entrepreneurs Mysteriously Disappearing, One Arrested Weekly
With China’s economy continuously declining, the CCP previously sent signals of support for private enterprises. However, it has been observed that Chinese private entrepreneurs are frequently being arrested or committing suicide. The Economist revealed that Chinese entrepreneurs are mysteriously disappearing at an alarming rate, with nearly one being arrested each week.
15.
Chinese Communications Equipment Manufacturer New Easywin’s Chairman Cashes out 4 Billion
On October 9, New Easywin Communication Technology Co., Ltd. in Chengdu announced that its controlling shareholder and chairman sold stocks, cashing out approximately 4.181 billion yuan in market value. The company’s stock price has surged by over 600% from its low point in April 2025, and the chairman’s “high position” cash-out during this time.