China and Taiwan began operating the first telephone hotline between the two nations on Wednesday, set up as a confidence building and tension reducing measure, with senior officials exchanging New Year's greetings.

China will stop approving new coal mines for the next three years and continue to trim production capacity as the world’s biggest energy consumer struggles to shift away from the fuel as it grapples with pollution.

Tensions are rising in the East China Sea after China deployed an armed, former navy frigate for the first time to challenge Japan’s control of contested islands in what may be an attempt to shift Tokyo’s attention away from disputes in the South China Sea.

China’s central bank reiterated that it will aim for stability in the yuan as it seeks to promote exchange-rate reform and maintain prudent monetary policy.

The drone prototype will conduct flight tests over the South China Sea in 2016.

The budget approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet increases military spending to a record level, reflecting Mr. Abe’s desire to bolster the defense of outlying islands that are at the heart of a territorial dispute with China.

China passed a new antiterrorism law that stepped back from previous language of concern to global technology firms, but which still raises questions about its scope and the potential impact on companies doing business there.

China on Wednesday rejected U.S. criticism against its draft law on terrorism and urged Washington to refrain from applying "double standards" in fighting terrorism.

The Chinese government is in advanced talks with the United States on repatriating five of China's most wanted corruption suspects and will hand over whatever evidence is needed by its U.S. counterparts, the state-run China Daily said on Wednesday.

Chinese leaders approved an economic blueprint for next year that emphasizes tackling long-term problems and reflects a realization that debt and investment can no longer power the world’s second-largest economy.