US-China Pharma Scrutiny: A bipartisan US House committee is investigating Pfizer, Merck, AbbVie, Eli Lilly and Bristol Myers Squibb over clinical trials at PLA-linked hospitals and in Xinjiang, raising national security, ethics and IP theft concerns. Typhoon Bavi Fallout: China evacuated 600,000+ people ahead of Typhoon Bavi’s expected landfall near Wenzhou; Zhejiang upgraded to Level I response, while the Philippines canceled multiple flights as the storm moved through the region. South China Sea Legal Fight: Manila marked the 10th anniversary of the 2016 arbitral award as China again attacked the Philippines’ claims over features like Huangyan Dao, calling them distortions and a threat to regional stability. Batanes Sovereignty Row: Philippine officials pushed back hard against claims by some Chinese scholars that Batanes should be part of China, with the DFA stressing official positions over academics. AI Export Loophole: OpenAI and Google confirmed AI model sales to Singapore subsidiaries of Pentagon-blacklisted Chinese firms, highlighting gaps in US controls. Financial Regulation: China’s NFRA issued trial rules for managing entities with serious credit violations, effective Oct 1, to tighten credit-based supervision. APEC Digital & AI: China will host the 2026 APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting in Chengdu on July 23. China-DPRK Anniversary: Xi and Kim exchanged congratulations marking 65 years since the China-DPRK treaty, with senior officials holding receptions in Beijing. Critical Supplies: China announced a temporary helium export ban amid Middle East tensions, warning of chipmaking gas shortages. Tech and Work: Reports say Chinese tech firms cut about 130,000 jobs as AI adoption accelerates.