China-US Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Marco Rubio in Manila that Beijing and Washington will turn leader-level consensus into “whole-of-government” action and prepare for high-level exchanges. ASEAN Ties: Wang also said China is ready to deepen China-ASEAN cooperation and unity to tackle new challenges, as the two sides marked the 35th anniversary of their dialogue relations. AI & Cybersecurity Clash: A Reuters report says Hugging Face used China’s Zhipu AI model after U.S. AI systems refused a cybersecurity task, reigniting debate over whether U.S. AI safeguards push users toward Chinese open-source options. EU Crackdown on Chinese E-commerce: The EU imposed a record €550m fine on AliExpress over counterfeit and unsafe products under the Digital Services Act, with China warning it will defend firms’ rights. Markets & Policy Watch: Mainland mutual funds cut Hong Kong stock exposure to a two-year low, while China’s consumer trade-in programs generated 1.1 trillion yuan in sales in H1, boosting NEV and smart product demand. Tech Industry Signals: Deutsche Bank says China is set to lead humanoid robot production, with government estimates of 100,000 units in 2026. Regional Security: Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to stronger defense ties with China during PLA anniversary events. Disaster & Daily Life: A 5.0 quake in Yunnan triggered a Level-IV emergency response, while a tornado hit an eastern China highway, sending vehicles airborne.