US-China Tech Friction: A bipartisan US bill would create an antitrust exemption for AI firms to coordinate against alleged Chinese “copycats,” framing model security as a national threat. Digital Sovereignty & Cyber Governance: Experts say China’s push for digital sovereignty and inclusive cyber rules could help narrow the Global South’s AI gap, as China submits a position paper to a UN cyber governance mechanism. China-UK Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges Britain to stick to the one-China principle and avoid linking security concerns to trade, while calling for cooperation that “transcends differences.” South China Sea Flashpoints: China’s Coast Guard says it drove away Philippine vessels near Huangyan Dao/Scarborough Shoal as “professional, lawful” enforcement; Manila says actions endangered personnel and calls for restraint. Taiwan Strait Pressure: China begins two days of live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait, adding to regional military signaling. Domestic Policy & Economy: China reports first-half broad fiscal spending of CNY18.2tn, with a shift toward “investment in people,” and unveils a 2026-2030 five-year port-of-entry modernization plan. AI Market Race: WAIC in Shanghai spotlights open models like Kimi K3 and Qwen 3.8, intensifying debate over whether cheaper Chinese AI can challenge US platforms. Tibet Governance: A top CPC ideologue calls for tighter stability measures and fuller enforcement of China’s ethnic unity law during a Tibet visit. Party Purge Watch: China expels Politburo member Ma Xingrui, fueling speculation about internal CCP tensions amid economic and geopolitical strain.