US-Iran Ties Under Scrutiny: NBC reports US investigators suspect a Chinese-made MANPADS may have helped down an F-15E over southwestern Iran in April, adding fresh questions about Beijing’s military support for Tehran. Defense Diplomacy: At Shangri-La, China sent a low-profile delegation as Defense Minister Dong Jun skipped; meanwhile US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged “drama-free” ties and avoided Taiwan in remarks, while AUKUS partners moved ahead on unmanned undersea vehicles. China-Russia Politics: China’s top legislator Zhao Leji met Russian leaders in Moscow, pushing deeper parliamentary cooperation and “strategic trust.” Tech, Courts, and Rules: Beijing’s court held the first hearing in Tesla’s China “Full Self-Driving” consumer fraud case, while China tightened EV battery recycling rules as first-gen EV batteries near end-of-life. AI and Industry: China showcased embodied AI and robotics at the World Intelligence Expo in Tianjin, and researchers unveiled a broad-spectrum mRNA Ebola vaccine aimed at multiple strains. Regional Flashpoints: Vietnam’s top leader said it wants stronger China ties while resolving South China Sea disputes under international law. EU Trade Fight: Beijing warned the EU it will retaliate if new trade restrictions follow internal talks on China’s “overcapacity.”