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NEWS IN CHINA

• Xi Jinping Calls for Greater Sci-Tech Self-Reliance at National Science Conference: China's President Xi Jinping called for accelerating high-level self-reliance in science and technology to support Chinese modernisation during a major national science conference held in Beijing. The conference was a joint meeting of the National Science and Technology Award Conference, the general assemblies of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), and the 11th National Congress of the China Association for Science and Technology. During his speech, President Xi described the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) as a crucial period for strengthening China's scientific and technological capabilities. He urged the country to seize strategic opportunities, overcome key technological challenges and make steady progress toward its goal of becoming a global science and technology leader by 2035. During the event, Xi presented China's highest science and technology award for 2025 to Chen Liquan, a researcher at the CAS Institute of Physics and a CAE academician, and to Ben De, a researcher at the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation and a CAE academician. Xi and other senior leaders also presented awards to recipients of the State Natural Science Award, the State Technological Invention Award, and the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award.
  
  
• China Increases Preparedness as Typhoon Bawei Approaches Southeast Coast: Chinese authorities have increased disaster preparedness measures as Typhoon Bawei approaches the country's southeast coast. In Xiapu County, Fujian Province, officials have reinforced offshore aquaculture facilities, ordered fishing boats to return to port, and begun the phased evacuation of 11,749 coastal aquaculture and fishing workers. Authorities have also strengthened inspections of fish farms, secured breeding equipment and implemented fishing boat diversion plans to reduce congestion at ports. In Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, water conservancy and transport authorities increased reservoir drainage, enhanced real-time monitoring of water levels and suspended navigation on Taihu Lake in anticipation of heavy rainfall and strong winds. Emergency response teams have been placed on standby, with rescue boats and flood-control equipment prepared for rapid deployment. Meanwhile, fire and rescue departments in Shanghai have inspected and tested emergency vehicles, rubber boats, life jackets, communication systems and other rescue equipment to ensure readiness. Authorities across the affected regions have strengthened 24-hour monitoring and emergency response measures to minimise the potential impact of the approaching typhoon.
  
  
• China Unveils New Measures to Modernise Retail Sector by 2030: China's Ministry of Commerce, together with eight other government departments, has issued new guidelines for accelerating innovation and high-quality development in the retail industry. The new policy sets a goal of establishing a modern retail system by 2030, having high-quality supply, diversified business models, intelligent services and fair market competition. The guidelines call for the development of innovative retail formats, the creation of new consumption scenarios and the cultivation of internationally competitive retail enterprises. They also outline measures to support the transformation and expansion of retail businesses while promoting greater integration between online and offline commerce. In order to improve the market environment, the policy introduces stricter requirements on anti-monopoly enforcement, price regulation, integrated supervision of online and offline retail and action against false propaganda and misleading promotional practices. In addition, the guidelines provide policy support through improved finance support, tax incentives, streamlined administrative approvals and stronger legal protections, with a particular focus on directing resources toward the development of China's physical retail sector.
  
  
• China Issues Guidelines to Strengthen Three-Tier Elderly Care Service Network: China's Ministry of Civil Affairs has issued new guidelines for the construction and management of a three-tier urban and rural elderly care service network, aimed at improving the coordination and accessibility of elderly care services across the country. The guidelines outline the frameworks for county-level comprehensive elderly service management platforms, township and street-level regional elderly service centres, and village and community-level service stations to better match resources with the diverse needs of the ageing population. Segregating responsibilities at each level, the plan states that county-level platforms will oversee coordination, emergency response, resource integration and data management, while township-level centres will provide professional care, referrals and home visits. Village and community service stations will deliver frontline services, including day care, meal assistance, home-based care, short-term respite care and recreational activities. According to the ministry, China plans to complete the nationwide elderly service network by 2029 and further improve it by 2035. Once fully established, the network is expected to provide accessible home-based services for healthy elderly people, specialised care for seniors with disabilities or special needs, and more comprehensive support for families caring for older adults.
  
  
• Shanghai Launches China's First Fully Unmanned AI Laboratory for Scientific Research: Shanghai has launched China's first AI-driven laboratory capable of fully unmanned scientific research, marking a significant milestone in the country's intelligent research and development capabilities. Officially inaugurated at Shanghai Caohejing Hi-Tech Park, the facility integrates artificial intelligence computing with automated experimental equipment, enabling an end-to-end research process without human intervention. Developed by the Shanghai Academy of AI for Science, affiliated with Fudan University, the platform has already completed validation trials in fields including biomedicine, energy materials, cosmetics and detergent formulation. According to developers, its modular design allows core AI systems to be reused across different research tasks, improving both efficiency and adaptability in scientific and industrial R&D. To showcase its capabilities, a five-day live validation campaign began on July 7, using real-world industrial and scientific research projects to test the platform's performance. The results of these trials, along with the laboratory's key operational achievements, are said to be unveiled at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) on July 18.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to PLA's Flood Relief Efforts in Guangxi: A post on Weibo is going viral, highlighting the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) rescue efforts after floodwaters surrounded a high school in Guigang, Guangxi, on July 7. The post stated that PLA personnel rowed boats carrying emergency supplies to the stranded school, where trapped teachers and students reportedly cheered upon seeing the rescue teams arrive. The post added that with the arrival of rescue forces and relief materials, rescue operations at the school entered a more orderly support phase. The post quickly attracted widespread attention, with many users expressing gratitude to the PLA for its rescue efforts and dedication during the disaster. Several users praised the army by commenting, "You can always trust the PLA," while another wrote, "The people's army is for the people," expressing confidence in the military's role during emergencies. Some users described the PLA as "a sign of hope" for communities affected by any disaster. A few others wished for the safety and well-being of those impacted by the flood. One user also recalled how the PLA had helped restore a typhoon-hit city in the past and expressed hope that they would once again do their best.

INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses India's Growing Role in Russia's Fuel Supply: An article on Guancha discussed India's emerging role in supplying gasoline to Russia as Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure continue to disrupt domestic fuel production. The article noted that Russia has begun importing gasoline from India, with shipments reportedly sourced from Nayara Energy, an Indian refiner partly owned by Russia's Rosneft, to ease shortages caused by repeated attacks on refineries. It argued that the imports carry greater political significance, as the planned monthly volume would cover only a few days of Russia's peak summer fuel demand. The article highlighted that India's advanced refining sector and expertise in chemicals and materials processing have positioned it as an important partner in the evolving energy trade. However, it added that logistical delays, higher transportation costs and differences in fuel standards limit India's ability to provide an immediate solution. According to the article, India's role reflects its strategic autonomy, balancing energy cooperation with Russia while avoiding direct political alignment. It concluded that India's gasoline exports can temporarily ease shortages but cannot replace Russia's damaged domestic refining capacity or resolve its broader wartime energy challenges.