Capital and largest city of Guangdong, a historic port and key hub in the Pearl River Delta
Clashes at Second Thomas Shoal have prompted Manila to report a head injury to a Philippine sailor, while Beijing accuses Manila of provocations. The incident underscores tensions in the South China Sea as Philippine President Marcos Jr. plans to summon the Chinese ambassador and Western allies respond to the fray.
Jin Mingri, a prominent Chinese pastor jailed since October, has been released and flown to the United States after President Trump raised his case with Xi Jinping in May. Authorities say the charges have been dropped, and Jin has described the events as a “miracle” while noting the lack of clarity on any bargain behind the release.
A new documentary uses archival Wham! footage to examine the 1985 China tour, its tensions with director Lindsay Anderson, and the broader cultural moment as China opened to the West. Ridgeley and Michael are featured, with new interviews and unseen material that cast their trip in a provocative light.
Waymo has expanded its Ojai robotaxi rollout, adding more U.S. markets and plans to accelerate fleet growth. The company is integrating its sixth‑generation self‑driving system with Zeekr’s Ojai platform, aiming to reduce cost and improve safety as deployments accelerate globally.
Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan has been accused by state media of illegally absorbing public deposits and fundraising fraud. Xinhua has published a list of charges against Hui, who built the company into one of the world’s most indebted developers, signalling intensified legal action against the firm's leadership.
Alibaba has priced an HK$80 billion share placement, issuing 710 million new Class B shares at HK$112.70 each to non-U.S. investors. The deal values the company at about US$27 billion and will fund expansion of its AI capabilities and infrastructure. The move comes after a 75% profit drop in the June quarter and a sharp rise in capital expenditure.
China has extended a 360 billion yuan recapitalization to three major banks and five insurers, aiming to bolster the financial sector's ability to support the real economy amid slow growth and low interest margins.
Kuang’s Taipei Story follows Lily Chen, a Yale student in Taipei, as she pursues Mandarin learning, navigates culture, family secrets, and the ache of home. The novel blends humor with sharp observations on language, identity, and diaspora, while tracing the limits of linguistic belonging.
Lian Yunzhi has become the only female speedcuber to average under 4.5 seconds, achieving 4.52 and 4.27-second averages at competitions in Wuhan and Guangzhou, according to CCTV. She has trained two to three hours daily, mastering over 1,300 algorithms. Her early results started from age four.
Starbucks has opened two stores in Urumqi, Xinjiang, drawing sustained criticism from US lawmakers and human-rights groups over the region’s governance and alleged abuses. The openings are part of a broader push into Xinjiang’s tourism-driven economy, drawing mixed reactions from international observers.