Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on regional leaders to abandon a “Cold War mentality” and strengthen multilateral cooperation at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin. Xi emphasized the need for a fair, balanced global governance system and announced $280 million in aid to SCO members, along with $1.4 billion in loans from the SCO Banking Consortium. Leaders, including Putin and Modi, discussed trade, investment, and security issues, highlighting the summit as a platform for alternative global cooperation and regional partnership.

Chinese President Xi Jinping told Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting at the SCO summit in Tianjin that building friendship between India and China is the “right decision.” Xi highlighted the countries’ shared responsibilities as ancient civilizations and key Global South members. He emphasized peace, cooperation, and the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Modi welcomed reduced border tensions, stressed mutual trust and respect, and mentioned restarting direct flights. Both leaders underscored cooperation as vital for 2.8 billion people’s welfare.

India and China are set to resume direct passenger flights after more than five years, signaling a thaw in bilateral relations. The announcement came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with President Xi Jinping at the SCO summit in Tianjin. While the launch date remains unspecified, major airlines from both countries are preparing to restart services. The move is expected to ease travel, boost trade, and strengthen diplomatic ties amid global economic uncertainty and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Shanghai has recorded temperatures above 35°C (95°F) for 25 consecutive days, breaking a 99-year-old record previously set in 1926. From July 22 to August 14, the city experienced continuous heat, highlighting the impact of global climate change on Asia. The excessive heat is causing melting glaciers, sudden storms, and erratic weather patterns. Earlier in July, after many regions exceeded 40°C (104°F), Beijing issued high-heat warnings for 754 provinces, cities, and counties, emphasizing growing climate risks.

A secret letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Indian President Droupadi Murmu helped improve India-China relations following the escalation of the U.S.-India trade war under President Trump. The letter, later shared with Prime Minister Modi, expressed Beijing’s concerns over U.S.-India agreements and suggested cooperation with a provincial official. Since June, both countries have returned to dialogue, eased trade and visa restrictions, and prepared to resume direct passenger flights. The SCO summit will mark Modi’s first China visit in seven years.

China’s Haze Shipping Company is launching the China-Europe Arctic Express, a new container route linking Chinese ports including Ningbo-Zhoushan and Qingdao to major European ports such as Felixstowe, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Gdansk. The Arctic segment via Russia’s Northern Sea Route reduces transit time to just 18 days—less than half of the Suez Canal route. Initially seasonal, the service aims to speed deliveries, cut inventory costs, and meet Europe’s peak-season demand, with plans for year-round operation using ice-class vessels.

Despite China’s new nationwide child subsidy of 3,600 yuan per year for children under three, rising costs of diapers, dairy, and clothing make the financial support feel insufficient. Families like Wang Yuan’s in Hangzhou report spending around 4,000 yuan monthly on a four-month-old baby. Introduced in July 2024, the scheme aims to assist nearly 20 million families, including retroactive support for children born 2022–2024. Experts warn that China’s declining birth rate and rapidly aging population remain major demographic challenges.

China is preparing for its grand Victory Day Parade on September 3, commemorating 80 years since Japan’s WWII surrender. This year, President Xi Jinping will share the stage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un—marking Kim’s first appearance at an international forum alongside world leaders.
Leaders from 26 nations are expected to attend. The event will feature a 10,000-strong military parade showcasing China’s latest weaponry. While invitations have been extended broadly, South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung has confirmed he will not attend. However, leaders from Iran, Indonesia, Belarus, and Pakistan are expected to join.

China’s military is preparing to seize Taiwan by 2027 under direct orders from President Xi Jinping, warned US Strategic Command chief General Anthony Cotton in testimony before Congress.

Cotton said Beijing is developing nuclear-capable weapons capable of striking from land, air, and sea.

While China’s 2023 national defense policy reiterated its commitment to a “no first use” policy on nuclear weapons, the Pentagon has warned that Beijing could reconsider if a conventional defeat in Taiwan threatens Communist Party survival.

China’s Defense Ministry has dismissed US claims as an attempt to spread the so-called “China nuclear threat” narrative to malign Beijing internationally. However, experts, including the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, caution that China is stockpiling increasingly powerful weapons

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has arrived in New Delhi on his first visit to India in over three years, aiming to boost historically tense bilateral relations. During the three-day visit, he will meet with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Key discussions will focus on resuming trade via the Himalayan border, enhancing economic cooperation, and stabilizing ties amid U.S. tariffs and global geopolitical tensions. The visit signals a positive shift in India-China relations.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit India from August 18 to 20 to discuss bilateral border issues and participate in the 24th Special Representatives meeting on the China-India boundary. Both nations are also considering restarting border trade, halted since deadly clashes in 2020, and exploring agreements on direct flights and tourist visas. This visit follows Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar’s July trip to Beijing and marks a step toward restoring ties amid ongoing geopolitical and global trade uncertainties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss resolving the Ukraine crisis. According to Beijing, Putin briefed Xi on the recent visit to Moscow by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and developments in the “Ukraine crisis.” Xi said he welcomed dialogue between Moscow and Washington, encouraged improved relations, and supported political solutions to the conflict. Beijing will continue to promote peace and dialogue, he added. The Kremlin confirmed both leaders discussed Witkoff’s visit, preparations for Putin’s upcoming trip to China, participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, and commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of Japan’s defeat and the end of World War II.

At least 31 residents died after a severe flood struck a nursing home on the outskirts of Beijing. Most of the victims were elderly and physically immobile.

BBC reports that water levels reached chest height before rescue teams could access the facility in Miyun District. Footage shows emergency workers wading through deep water to rescue the trapped residents. Authorities admitted to shortcomings in their emergency response plans and labeled the incident a “painful lesson” and a “wake-up call.”

The home housed around 77 residents at the time; nearly 40 became trapped when floodwaters rose to about 2 meters (6 feet).

Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen criticized the U.S. for using tariffs as a tool of pressure, calling it a clear case of trade suppression and hegemonic politics. He noted the 35% U.S. tariff on Bangladeshi goods as unfair and unethical for a least developed country. China expressed its willingness to work with Bangladesh to resist unilateralism, support fair trade, and uphold global justice. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to openness and multilateralism, despite growing global protectionism and trade barriers imposed by powerful nations.

China has introduced a historic nationwide cash subsidy of up to 10,800 yuan per child under three years old to address its declining birth rate and demographic crisis. Starting in 2024, families will receive up to 3,600 yuan annually per child, benefiting nearly 20 million households. This follows local subsidy trials in various provinces. Despite abolishing the one-child policy a decade ago, China’s population continues to shrink, with rapid aging raising serious economic and social concerns for the future.