Business & Markets

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the value-added of manufacturing in GDP continued to be maintained at around 25%, and a total of 504 outstanding-level smart factories were built. The output value share of national green factories has increased to 22%. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, efforts will accelerate to establish an advanced manufacturing-based modern industrial system, implementing actions for revitalizing traditional industries, promoting the development of future industries such as quantum technology and brain-computer interfaces. At the same time, more application scenarios will be cultivated in "AI+", "Robotics+", and "Industrial Internet+", with multiple policies including the "15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Intelligent New Energy Vehicle Industry" being released centrally. 6G will also be prioritized, accelerating core technology breakthroughs and technological trials.

Taiwan's lawmakers approved a $7.6 billion budget for locally made drones amid growing concerns over potential Chinese aggression. This decision follows increased military spending and efforts to develop the island's defense industry. While opposition parties, favoring closer ties with China, supported a larger, six-year funding plan integrated into the annual budget, the government proposed a five-year special budget of up to $6.6 billion. The approval aims to enhance Taiwan's defensive...

The U.S. Department of Justice disrupted a Chinese hacking operation targeting government agencies like the Justice Department, NASA, and Federal Reserve through platforms QScan and QTRouter. The hack attempts began in 2018. The Chinese Embassy denied involvement but accused the U.S. of misusing cybersecurity concerns. Nanjing Xinjiuwei Network Technology Company is accused of running these hacking platforms for Chinese intelligence agencies.

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, August 25 (Xinhua News Agency): Efforts to achieve a good start to the "15th Five-Year Plan" - From the implementation report, Xinhua News Agency reporter Wei Yukun was entrusted by the State Council in the second half of the year. Wang Changlin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, reported to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on the implementation of the National Economic and Social Development Plan since this year. Wang Changlin said in the report that the gross domestic product (GDP) in the first half of the year increased by 4.7% year-on-year, an increase of 3.6 trillion yuan, the highest level in the same period in five years. From the current data on economic and social development and the understanding of all aspects, the implementation of the plan is generally good. Economic growth, employment, prices, imports and exports of foreign trade and other indicators met expectations, and market consumption, household income and other indicators increased steadily. Financial, social security, ecological environment, food production and other indicators are progressing smoothly. This report and analysis by the State Council on the implementation of the National Economic and Social Development Plan since this year pointed out that China's economic foundation is stable, has many advantages, strong resilience, and has great potential. The long-term support conditions and basic trends have not changed. It is fully qualified, capable, confident, and determined to overcome various risks and challenges in development. We must strengthen our confidence, face up to difficulties, make good use of various opportunities and advantages, and promote high-quality development....

On August 26, 2026, a photo of Huawei's Shanghai flagship store (near the Bund) and a public toilet sign went viral online, with many netizens visiting the site for a visit. On August 25, it was discovered that police had stationed themselves under the sign to ban photography. The next day, the sign reportedly disappeared from its original position, sparking online debate. According to video content, the arrow on the sign coincidentally pointed towards the store's location, leading some to jokingly refer to it as "the best toilet in 10 million yuan," "the best toilet within 45 minutes," and "toilet with flowers, poop comes from poop." Related videos spread on platforms like Douyin, sparking discussion. The latest photo shows that the original sign has been replaced by a new one, with adjustments made to the direction of the arrow and its installation position.

Taiwan's lawmakers approved a $7.6 billion budget for locally made drones amid growing concerns over potential Chinese aggression. This decision follows increased military spending and efforts to develop the island's defense industry. While opposition parties, favoring closer ties with China, supported a larger, six-year funding plan integrated into the annual budget, the government proposed a five-year special budget of up to $6.6 billion. The approval aims to enhance Taiwan's defensive...