Business & Markets

Beijing, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-Canada trade talks broke down late at night on the 21st, and the relationship between the two sides turned sharply. Multiple media outlets in Canada and the United States disclosed on the 24th that US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik put forward a series of new requirements in the final stage of US-Canada trade negotiations, which led to the collapse of the two sides. This is the Department of Commerce building photographed in Washington, D.C., on April 25, 2024. Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Jieshen Canadian Prime Minister Carney issued a statement late on the 21st, announcing the immediate suspension of trade negotiations with the United States, recalling the Canadian negotiating delegation, and issued a national television speech on the 22nd to clarify the Canadian side's position on the breakdown of Canada-US trade negotiations. US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to raise import tariffs on Canadian cars, auto parts and steel to 50 per cent. The Canadian "National Post" quoted sources as saying on the 24th that Lutnik demanded more concessions from Canada near the end of the negotiations, even giving the United States the right to decide which countries Canada can conduct economic and trade exchanges with, which left Canada with no choice but to withdraw. A Canadian government source described Lutnik as a “bully,” saying he lacked patience for complex tasks such as dealing with trade talks. On July 27, a photo taken from the Windsor side of Ontario, Canada, showed trucks heading to the United States via the Gordy Howe Transnational Bridge, the newspaper reported. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Zou Yi)...

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....

The report notes that the achievements in poverty alleviation continue to be consolidated, with significant growth in per capita disposable income of rural residents in counties that have shaken off poverty. Infrastructure and service levels have improved, narrowing development gaps. Basic systems for regularized assistance responsibilities and policies have been established, with effective operation of monitoring and assistance mechanisms. Efforts to strengthen industrial and employment assistance have increased, and support for key regions has been strengthened. However, challenges remain in terms of the risk ofand poverty recurrence in less developed areas due to weak foundations. In the future, regularized assistance will be integrated into the rural revitalization strategy for unified implementation. Internal motivation will be enhanced, a safety net for people's livelihoods will be ensured, and efforts will continue to consolidate poverty alleviation achievements and promote comprehensive revitalization.

South Korea is investing heavily in AI with plans for semiconductor expansion and partnerships. While it has strengths in high-bandwidth memory and advanced manufacturing, China's larger market and cost-advantaged models pose significant competition. South Korea needs a different comparative advantage, emphasizing openness and challenging assumptions to thrive in the global AI economy.

International – Recently, Bo Guagua frequently made long-form comments on the social platform X (formerly Twitter) on China-Canada trade, international politics and economics, and in tribute to former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji. Its remarks and trends often triggered various interpretations and discussions of public opinion from the outside world and overseas. Published: 25/08/2026 - 23:17 According to the Free Times, Bo Guagua, the son of Bo Xilai, a high-ranking official of the Communist Party of China, (his real name is Bo Xuaiyue) recently talked about China and international issues on social platforms, from the US-Canada tariff war to China's market positioning and China-US relations, which triggered discussions among Chinese netizens. Commentator Young Master Shen recently issued a letter that he was a "good son of the party", while Bo Guagua choked at "you Lenovo masters", and the two sides fought each other. Bo Guagua talked about the tariff conflict between Canada and the United States on the 22nd, thinking that Canada can regard China as a long-term partner, and suggested that Canada first lift the restrictions on Chinese electric vehicle imports and buy more Chinese "Great Wall wine". In this regard, Young Master Shen retweeted Bo Guagua's post and criticized that Bo Guagua was encouraging Canada to use the opportunity of the US-Canada tariff war to step up its closer relationship with China, ironing that he was "really a good son of the Party". Even if his father Bo Xilai was "rubbed by your party on the ground", he still tried to find an opportunity to express his loyalty to the "party state". Young Master Shen continued that this move is "not to save your father, it will only let outsiders see jokes, and Canadians will not listen to your command."...

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, August 25 Recently, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council issued the Measures for the Investigation of Liability for Ecological and Environmental Damage of Party and Government Leading Cadres, and issued a notice requiring all departments in all regions to conscientiously comply with it. The full text of the Measures for the Investigation of Liability for Ecological and Environmental Damage of Party and Government Leading Cadres is as follows. Measures for the Investigation of Responsibility for Ecological and Environmental Damage of Party and Government Leading Cadres (Approved by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on August 9, 2015 and promulgated by the General Office of the State Council at the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on July 9, 2026 and revised by the General Office of the State Council on August 3, 2026) Article 1 In order to adhere to and strengthen the Party's overall leadership in the construction of ecological civilization, comprehensively promote the construction of a beautiful China, strengthen the responsibility of Party and government leading cadres in ecological and environmental protection, and promote the establishment and implementation of correct views on administrative performance, these Measures are formulated in accordance with relevant Party internal regulations and laws. Article 2 These Measures apply to the investigation of ecological and environmental damage by leading members of local party committees and governments at or above the county level and their relevant departments, leading members of relevant departments of central and state organs, and leading personnel of relevant institutions of the above-mentioned departments. Leading members of townships (sub-districts), public institutions, various development zones, state-owned enterprises and their internal institutions, and leaders of affiliated enterprises shall be investigated for ecological and environmental damage, and these Measures shall be implemented with reference. Article 3 Party and government leading cadres shall adhere to the following principles in the investigation of ecological and environmental damage: (1) Party and government shall be held equally responsible and shall be held accountable for dereliction of duty; (2) they shall be accurate and effective in accordance with laws and regulations;...

Tech giants Google, OpenAI, Meta, and TikTok partnered with Japanese authorities to combat online scams in Southeast Asia. The initiative, launched as criminal networks increasingly use advanced technology, targets hubs like Cambodia, Myanmar, and now Sri Lanka. Despite a crackdown, many victims remain in affected areas. The alliance aims to leverage technology against future cyber threats, including deepfakes.