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NEWS IN CHINA

• Cai Qi Meets Leading Experts at Annual Beidaihe Summer Retreat: Cai Qi met leading experts attending the annual summer retreat in Beidaihe, Hebei Province, extending greetings on behalf of the Party leadership and the State Council. The annual invitation for distinguished experts to spend time in Beidaihe is an established institutional arrangement organised by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. The program is intended to recognise the contributions of professionals in key fields and encourage continued innovation and research. This year’s participants include experts specialising in basic research, strategic and frontier technologies, core technologies in critical sectors, as well as philosophy and the social sciences. During the visit, Cai encouraged attendees to uphold the spirit of scientific inquiry, pursue further achievements in their respective disciplines, and contribute to China’s long-term development goals. He said their work would play an important role in progress toward the country’s objective of basically realising socialist modernisation.
  
  
• China-ASEAN Cooperation Expands Through AI Education and Talent Development: The 2026 China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week, held in Guizhou from July 28 to August 2, highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) as a key driver of educational cooperation between China and ASEAN countries. The event brought together education officials, university leaders and experts from across the region to discuss AI-driven collaboration in higher education, research and talent development. Representatives from ASEAN countries highlighted China’s strengths in AI research, technological innovation and education. Indonesian officials expressed interest in learning from China’s experience in integrating AI into university curricula and strengthening links between academia and industry. Officials from Laos emphasised the importance of equipping students with digital skills, AI ethics and critical thinking. She further noted that the existing partnerships between Chinese and Laos universities have also led to the establishment of AI development centres and expanded research cooperation. In recent years, Guizhou has also expanded educational exchanges with ASEAN and BRI partner countries, hosting more than 20,000 students while strengthening institutional cooperation and cross-border talent development.
  
  
• China Cracks Down on Violations in Online Group Livestreaming: China’s Cyberspace Administration has intensified efforts to regulate online group livestreaming content, dealing with more than 1,840 accounts involved in violations of laws and platform rules. The administration launched a campaign targeting irregularities in online group livestreaming entertainment, urging platforms to strengthen content monitoring and improve compliance measures. The campaign focused on issues including illegal livestreaming activities that encourage excessive tipping, improper reward-inducing practices, vulgar and harmful content, and violations involving minors. Authorities released details of several typical cases, including accounts that were restricted or suspended after featuring inappropriate clothing, suggestive performances, or content designed to create vulgar atmospheres. The administration also reported actions against livestreaming accounts involving minors, with related multi-channel network agencies removed from platforms. Some accounts that used tactics such as imitating minors’ voices or wearing school uniforms to encourage viewer rewards were temporarily suspended. Other accounts faced restrictions or permanent bans for directly soliciting rewards, encouraging offline interactions, or using offensive PK punishments to attract payments.
  
  
• China Revises Integrated Circuit Layout Design Protection Regulations: Premier Li Qiang of the State Council has signed a revised decree on Regulations on the Protection of Integrated Circuit Design, taking effect from October 15, 2026. The revised regulations are intended to strengthen the protection of exclusive rights for integrated circuit layout designs, encourage technological innovation, and support the country’s scientific and technological development. The regulations comprise six chapters and 54 articles, introducing several key changes. They establish broader policy objectives by aligning intellectual property protection with national strategic priorities, expanding the scope of protection, and emphasising principles of honesty. The revisions also improve the application and examination process by addressing false applications, refining documentation requirements, enhancing procedures for rejecting or revoking registrations, and introducing mechanisms for restoring rights under specified circumstances. The regulations further clarify the standards for determining the scope of exclusive rights and provide for increased compensation in cases of infringement. In addition, they promote the development and commercialisation of integrated circuit layout designs by strengthening public services, introducing incentive measures, improving transfer rules, and clarifying the exercise of rights by co-owners.
  
  
• China’s Central Bank to Maintain Moderately Loose Monetary Policy in Second Half of 2026: China’s central bank has announced that it will continue implementing a moderately loose monetary policy during the second half of 2026, with a focus on supporting economic stability and sustaining growth. The policy direction was outlined in a statement released by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) following its work conference for the second half of the year. According to the statement, the PBOC will strengthen counter-cyclical adjustments by making comprehensive and timely use of monetary policy tools. It also plans to maintain sufficient liquidity in the financial system while guiding financial institutions to balance credit supply. The bank said it aims to align the growth of social financing and the money supply with expected economic growth and overall price levels. The central bank will continue promoting innovation-driven development by supporting the expansion of a technology-focused bond market and steadily implementing risk-sharing instruments for technology innovation and private enterprise bonds. In addition, the PBOC said it will improve credit enhancement mechanisms for private enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises, and will strengthen financial services to better support their development during the remainder of the year.
  
  

SOCIAL MEDIA CHATTER

Weibo Users React to Rise in Foreign Tourism Across China: A Weibo post highlighting the growing number of foreign tourists visiting China during the summer has attracted widespread attention. The post stated that international visitors have travelled to nearly 500 cities across the country, expanding beyond traditional destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to explore smaller towns, counties and rural areas. It also featured a foreign tourist saying, “I like this place very much…We are going to move to China!” The post attracted diverse comments from the online community, with many users welcoming overseas visitors. One user wrote, “I like to welcome you to visit every year, but we are not an immigrant country here!” Another commented, “Welcome friends from all over the world to enter China and experience the charm of China.” Others encouraged more international visitors to explore China’s scenic landscapes, cultural diversity and local communities, while several said firsthand travel offers a more accurate understanding of the country than foreign media portrayals. Some users also suggested expanding visa-free policies to more countries, whereas others jokingly questioned whether China was truly an ideal destination for escaping the summer heat, claiming China is also hot these days.

INDIA WATCH

Global Times Discusses Nathu La Trade Resumption as Sign of Improving Relations: A Global Times article discussed the resumption of border trade between China and India through the Nathu La Pass after a six-year suspension, describing it as a new phase of cross-border cooperation. The article reported that officials at the re-opening ceremony described Yadong County in Tibet as a historic trade gateway linking China with South Asia, and emphasised the role of border trade in supporting economic growth, employment and development in border regions. The article noted that the Nathu La Pass, located between Tibet and India’s Sikkim State, was closed in 2020, with trade through the route reaching more than 73 million yuan in 2019 before the suspension. Citing a local official and analyst Qian Feng, it said the reopening carries greater symbolic significance than economic because the route previously accounted for only a small share of bilateral trade. The article further linked the development to broader improvements in China-India relations, highlighting recent diplomatic engagements, including leaders’ talks in 2024 and boundary negotiations in 2025, which included agreement on reopening three traditional border trade markets.