U.S.-Iran Sanctions Pressure: Washington rolled out “Operation Economic Outcast/Economic D-Day,” warning countries including China that trade and finance links with Iran could trigger secondary sanctions, while Beijing said the threats won’t solve the problem and vowed to protect its rights. Middle East Diplomacy: China’s top leadership pushed for a political, diplomatic path as Xi met Jordan’s king and urged deeper China-Jordan alignment, including reopening Hormuz; Iran-China partnership messaging also emphasized multilateral stability. India-China Border Reset: NSA Ajit Doval’s Beijing trip for the 25th round of boundary talks with Wang Yi is framed as groundwork for Xi’s expected India visit and BRICS summit timing, with both sides seeking narrow progress amid persistent irritants. Robotics and Governance: China showcased humanoid robot breakthroughs at Beijing’s robot games and renewed focus on “correct governance performance,” while investors watched how the robot boom is testing market discipline. Territorial Messaging: China and India traded cartographic moves over Arunachal Pradesh naming, underscoring how official maps remain part of the political contest. Regional Security Signals: A rare U.S. Navy P-8 transit through the Taiwan Strait drew attention ahead of Xi’s planned U.S. visit, keeping Taiwan Strait tensions in focus. China-Japan Outreach: Japanese lawmakers landed in Beijing to soothe ties after Taiwan-related remarks sparked a diplomatic and economic dispute.