U.S. Freezes Afghan Central Bank Assets, Three Chinese Nationals Kidnapped in Congo, Evergrande Boss Steps Down From Key Unit

Here is today’s ranking of the 10 most-read news stories in China, in economics, finance and current affairs, to help give you a sense of what’s trending in the Chinese language sphere.

Chinese social media users have been paying close attention to the U.S. freezing nearly $9.5 billion of the Afghan central bank’s assets. They are also following China’s response to Taliban’s taking control over Afghanistan.

1. Arrest warrant issued for pop star Kris Wu on suspicion of rape

Prosecutors in Beijing on Monday issued a warrant for the arrest of Chinese-Canadian pop star Kris Wu on suspicion of rape, according to an official statement.

2. China says embassy in Afghanistan ‘operating normally’ after Taliban takes control

The Chinese embassy in Afghanistan was “operating normally” and embassy staff were “still at their posts and fulfilling their duties,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular news briefing Monday.

3. Japanese prime minster vows country won’t wage war again

Suga promised Sunday that Japan would never go to war again (external source, in Chinese). Members of his cabinet paid a visit to Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines Japan’s war dead, including 14 Japanese military leaders convicted as “Class A” war criminals by a tribunal after World War II.

Photo：VCG

4. Biden admits Afghanistan’s government collapsed faster than expected

U.S. President Joe Biden (external source, in Chinese) acknowledged Monday that the Afghan government’s collapse and the Taliban takeover happened faster than the U.S. government expected, but insisted that ending the 20-year war was the right decision.

5. U.S. freezes nearly $9.5 billion in assets of Afghan central bank

The U.S. froze Afghan central bank assets worth nearly $9.5 billion (external source, in Chinese) and stopped cash shipments to Afghanistan to prevent the Taliban-led government from accessing the funds, Bloomberg cited a U.S. government official as saying on Tuesday.

6. Taliban vows to form an “inclusive Islamic” government

Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid (external source, in Chinese) on Tuesday declared respect for women’s rights within “Islamic law” and the formation of an “inclusive Islamic” government.

7. China to send 251 athletes to Tokyo Paralympics

China will send a delegation of 437 people including 251 athletes to the upcoming Tokyo Paralympic Games, the China Disabled Persons’ Federation (external source, in Chinese) announced Tuesday.

8. Three Chinese citizens kidnapped in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Unidentified assailants reportedly kidnapped three Chinese nationals (external source, in Chinese) from a mining area in Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Friday. Chinese Ambassador to the DRC Zhu Jing urged the Congolese side on Tuesday to find out the whereabouts of the trio as soon as possible and make every effort to rescue them while ensuring their safety.

9. China coordinates with U.S. and Russia on Afghan power transfer

China has been coordinating with Russia and the United States on their Afghan policies to ensure an “orderly transfer of power” and to help establish an “inclusive government” in the central Asian country, according to Chinese foreign ministry statements.

10. Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan steps down as chairman of property unit

Hui Ka Yan, the billionaire founder of China Evergrande Group (external source, in Chinese), China’s most indebted developer, has resigned as chairman of the company’s main property unit, according to a notice filed Tuesday on a government website.

Translated by intern reporter Chen Bingyi.

Caixin has not independently verified the veracity or accuracy of all of the headlines or stories.

The daily ranking of most-read news stories among Chinese people, about China and global affairs, is jointly provided to you by Caixin Insight and HANA Data, an artificial intelligence technology team.

The key indicators calculated on the list are based on mass data sourced from China’s mainstream social media platforms and online news websites. Click here for a detailed introduction of our methodology.