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NEWS IN CHINA

• APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting Adopts Joint Statement on Regional Cooperation: The 2026 APEC Digital and AI Ministerial Meeting held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, concluded with the adoption of a ministerial statement outlining a framework for regional cooperation on digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The meeting, held under the theme “Digital Technologies and AI for the Empowerment of an Asia-Pacific Community,” brought together representatives from APEC economies to discuss collaboration in the digital, information, and communications technology sectors. According to Chinese Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Lecheng, who chaired the meeting, participants reached a consensus on advancing communication and computing infrastructure, promoting the digital and intelligent transformation of traditional industries, and supporting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises by adopting digital tools to improve competitiveness. Li said the outcomes provide a framework for people-centred and context-specific digital development across the Asia-Pacific region. He added that China would continue to work through the APEC mechanism to implement the meeting’s outcomes, strengthen cooperation with member economies, and deepen exchanges on digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
  
  
• China’s Central SOEs Report Higher R&D Investment and Stable Profits in First Half of 2026: China’s centrally administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs) reported total profits of 1.4 trillion yuan (approximately US$206 billion) in the first half of 2026, according to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC). The commission said central SOEs also continued to increase investment in research and development (R&D) while advancing industrial upgrading during the period. The fixed-asset investment by central SOEs rose 4.5 percent year on year, while research and development (R&D) spending increased 3.8 percent. SASAC said the higher R&D investment reflected ongoing efforts to strengthen technological innovation, optimise industrial structures, and deepen state-owned enterprise reforms. The commission highlighted progress in strategic technologies, including China Telecom’s completion of the country’s first trusted communication trial for AI multi-agent systems and China Mobile’s leadership in developing the world’s first international 6G standard.
  
  
• Two Chinese Mathematicians Awarded Fields Medals for the First Time: Chinese mathematicians Deng Yu and Wang Hong have been awarded the 2026 Fields Medal, becoming the first Chinese recipients of the prestigious mathematics prize. Their recognition marks the first time that two Chinese mathematicians have received the award at the same International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM), held this year in Philadelphia, United States. The other 2026 Fields Medal recipients are American mathematician John Pardon and Canadian mathematician Jacob Tsimerman. Awarded every four years by the International Mathematical Union, the Fields Medal is presented to mathematicians under the age of 40 in recognition of outstanding contributions to the field. Wang Hong, an alumna of Peking University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was recognised for her work on the three-dimensional Kakeya conjecture in collaboration with Joshua Zahl. Deng Yu, also a Peking University graduate and currently a professor at the University of Chicago, was recognised for research related to Hilbert’s Sixth Problem.
  
  
• Wang Huning Calls for Stability and Development During Xizang Inspection Tour: Wang Huning, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, concluded a four-day inspection tour of the Xizang Autonomous Region. During the visit, Wang emphasised the importance of fully implementing the CPC’s policies on the governance of Xizang in the new era, stating that maintaining social stability remains the top priority for the region’s governance. He called for the implementation of the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law, which came into effect on July 1, and urged continued efforts to guide Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society. Wang also stressed the importance of preserving historical documents and cultural relics in Xizang while consolidating the region’s poverty alleviation achievements. In addition, he called for improvements to infrastructure to better support local residents and businesses.
  
  
• ​China Reports Stable Employment in First Half of 2026: China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced that 6.95 million new urban jobs were created nationwide in the first half of 2026, broadly unchanged from the same period last year, while the average surveyed urban unemployment rate stood at 5.2 per cent. At a press conference, the ministry said the employment situation remained generally stable and highlighted measures aimed at supporting businesses and job seekers. These included the disbursement of RMB 3.6 billion in unemployment insurance job-retention rebates, RMB 900 million in one-time employment expansion subsidies, and RMB 1.2 billion in skills development subsidies. Officials said employment policies have focused on stabilising jobs, supporting key groups, promoting entrepreneurship, expanding vocational skills training, and improving public employment services. With many 2026 university graduates entering the labour market, authorities are conducting targeted employment service campaigns to assist graduates who are still seeking work by strengthening job matching, expanding recruitment opportunities, and protecting employment rights. The ministry also introduced a digital employment public service map to help graduates locate nearby employment service centres and reaffirmed continued policy support for enterprises hiring young workers.

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to Wang Yi’s Remarks on China-Philippines Relations: A Weibo post discussing Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s meeting with Philippine Foreign Minister Ma. Theresa Lazaro has gone viral. The post highlighted Wang’s strong remarks over an incident involving Philippine personnel and a Chinese law enforcement vessel at Ren’ai Reef and quoted his warning that “the relationship between the two countries is at a crossroads.” The post immediately drew reactions from the online community. Many users expressed support for Wang’s position and called for a firmer response towards the Philippines. One user wrote, “Support Uncle Wang,” while another commented, “Don’t be soft to the enemy.” A third remarked, “What kind of crossroads? The Filipinos have long been following the enemy countries.” Other users argued that China should adopt stronger measures instead of relying solely on diplomatic protests, with some questioning whether Beijing’s current approach was sufficiently effective. Several users asked for compensation to the Chinese personnel who had been attacked in the incident. A few more questioned China’s continued assistance to the Philippines, including the provision of fertilisers and diesel, arguing that such support should be reconsidered amid ongoing tensions.

​INDIA WATCH

Guancha Discusses Challenges to India’s Solar Manufacturing Push: An article on Guancha discussed challenges confronting India’s efforts to localise its solar manufacturing industry, which attributed production disruptions to a shortage of domestically manufactured solar cells. According to the article, India’s requirement that solar projects use locally produced cells from 1 June has created supply shortages, with some manufacturers reportedly waiting six to eight months for domestic supplies. It cited the Solar Module Manufacturers Association of India (AISIA) as saying that around one-third of India’s small and medium-sized solar module manufacturers have suspended production, while others have significantly reduced output. The article noted that India’s photovoltaic module manufacturing capacity far exceeds its domestic solar cell production capacity, leaving the industry to rely on imports. It also claimed that about 95% of India’s solar cell imports originate from China and argued that restrictions on Chinese technology and equipment exports have made it more difficult for India to expand domestic production. The article further highlighted that the shortage of solar cells has increased project costs, delayed installations, and could affect India’s target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030, while also creating employment pressures in manufacturing hubs.