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NEWS IN CHINA

• ​2026 World AI Conference Concludes in Shanghai: The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and Artificial Intelligence Global Governance High-level Conference concluded on July 20. The conference attracted more than 400,000 on-site visitors. Organisers reported that 177 major procurement groups from around the world participated in the conference, with intended procurement agreements estimated at 20.36 billion yuan, representing a 25% increase over last year. At the closing ceremony, industry leaders highlighted key technological advances and shared perspectives on the future of artificial intelligence while expressing optimism for continued international collaboration. Shanghai also announced the signing of 32 major AI projects spanning infrastructure, intelligent applications, embodied intelligence, and scientific intelligence, with total investments exceeding 40.9 billion yuan. Participants stated that the conference delivered significant outcomes in international cooperation, technological innovation, industrial development, and global AI governance. The conference brought together official representatives from more than 100 countries and international organisations, alongside leading figures from industry, academia, and research, making it one of the world's premier AI events.
  
  
• China Unveils New Measures to Modernise Domestic Services Sector: China's Ministry of Commerce, along with eight other government departments, has introduced 19 policy measures to promote the high-quality development of the domestic services sector. The new measures are aimed at boosting household service consumption and addressing structural challenges hindering industry growth. It focused on five key areas: enhancing support for domestic service enterprises, encouraging institutional innovation, strengthening vocational skills training, improving the credit information system, and reinforcing the sector's overall development framework. The policies encouraged insurers to design products tailored to domestic service workers, support enterprises' participation in the long-term care system, and expand social insurance coverage for workers in flexible employment. They also promoted stronger protection of workers' rights through standardised employment guidelines and service agreements, while calling for updated occupational standards and improved vocational skills assessments. The measures emphasised stronger credit verification, greater information sharing, standardised contracts, quality evaluation mechanisms, and stricter price supervision to enhance service quality and consumer confidence. 
  
  
• China, Dominica Pledge Deeper AI Cooperation and Strategic Partnership: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Dominica's Foreign Minister Vince Henderson during Henderson's visit to attend the World Artificial Intelligence Conference. Wang reaffirmed China's commitment to expanding cooperation with developing countries through the proposed World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation. He stated that China is prepared to strengthen coordination with Dominica to promote the organisation's stable and sustainable development. Wang also underscored China's willingness to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries by enhancing the alignment of development strategies and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation across various sectors. Henderson expressed Dominica's support for China's collaboration with the United Nations to promote artificial intelligence as a fair, inclusive, and accessible international public good. He also reiterated Dominica's readiness to expand bilateral cooperation with China across all fields, reinforcing the longstanding partnership between the two countries.
  
  
• Chinese Premier Chairs State Council Meeting on Service Sector, Infrastructure and Policy Reforms: Chinese Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council executive meeting that reviewed measures to expand service sector capacity, advance infrastructure network development, and strengthen policy frameworks under the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). The meeting called for greater efforts to unlock the potential of the service sector through targeted support policies and the removal of constraints. It highlighted the role of producer services in supporting technological innovation and the real economy, while encouraging consumer services to improve the supply of high-quality services. It also discussed accelerating the construction of six major networks, including water networks, new-type power grids, computing power networks, next-generation communication networks, urban underground pipeline networks, and logistics networks, with emphasis on coordinated planning and improved operational management. The meeting approved an intellectual property plan for 2026-2030, focusing on legal improvements, commercialization, and talent development. It also called for reforms to enhance social security coverage and improve fiscal management by addressing audit findings and strengthening budget efficiency.
  
  
• China’s Industrial Output Rises 5.4% in H1 2026: According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), China’s industrial sector maintained steady growth in the first half of 2026, with the value-added output of major industrial enterprises increasing 5.4% year-on-year. Of the country’s 41 major industrial sectors, 32 recorded growth, indicating continued expansion across a broad range of industries. The MIIT attributed the performance to factors including improved corporate efficiency, stable manufacturing activity, and sustained demand for products related to artificial intelligence and green technologies, such as integrated circuits, electronic components, and wind power equipment. Growth was particularly visible in sectors including electronics, automobiles, and electrical machinery, while industrial provinces continued to play a major role in overall output. The equipment manufacturing sector remained a significant contributor, with value-added output rising 6.4% and equipment exports increasing 18.2%, driven by demand for new energy equipment, vehicles, and ships. China also continued to expand digital infrastructure, with the number of 5G base stations exceeding 5.1 million and intelligent computing capacity recording rapid growth. ​
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

​Weibo Users React to Chinese Coast Guard's Confrontation with Philippine Vessel: A post on Weibo regarding Chinese Coast Guard’s confrontation near Ren'ai Reef has gone viral. According to the post, a Chinese Coast Guard patrol boat conducting routine operations encountered the Philippine vessel "Beach No. 57," which allegedly deployed two rubber boats that approached the Chinese vessel. The post claimed that Filipino personnel used oars and long poles to attack Chinese law enforcement officers, prompting the Coast Guard to respond through warnings, manoeuvring, and other restraint-based measures to stabilise the situation. The post immediately drew reactions from netizens, with many calling for a tougher response. One commenter added, "Raise soldiers for a thousand days, and use soldiers for a while." Some users argued that existing law enforcement tools appeared inadequate and should be upgraded to better respond to similar incidents. Others criticised what they viewed as excessive restraint, saying humanitarian gestures toward the Philippines were misplaced. Several users appreciated the recording and archiving of the incident, describing it as important evidence that would preserve the facts and serve justice.​

INDIA WATCH

​Guancha Interviews Chinese Scholar on US-India Frictions, Says Strategic Alignment Against China Persists: Guancha, in an interview with Liu Zongyi, director and researcher at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, discussed that recent tensions between the United States and India reflect tactical disagreements rather than a fundamental shift in their strategic relationship. Liu stated that despite disputes over trade, immigration, and diplomatic priorities, defence cooperation, military exercises, arms sales, and collaboration on critical minerals continue unabated, meaning the partnership's role in balancing China remains intact. The article further cited Liu's view that the United States' strategic retrenchment has encouraged greater autonomy among its allies, prompting countries such as India to take on a more active role in containing China. The conversation also highlighted that India continues to pursue its Indo-Pacific strategy and participation in the QUAD to enhance its geopolitical influence and constrain China's regional position. Liu also argued that India's long-term objective remains the creation of a "multipolar Asia" that prevents Chinese regional predominance. Acknowledging recent setbacks in US-India ties, Liu sees the strategic convergence between Washington and New Delhi as largely unchanged in its implications for China.