Capital and largest city of Guangdong, a Pearl River hub with historic Silk Road links
China has detained Min Zin, the US-Myanmar scholar and executive director of ISP Myanmar, on suspicion of espionage and endangering China’s national security. The arrest occurred after he arrived in Kunming for an academic workshop, with Beijing saying the case will be handled under the law. The move follows broader U.S.-China tensions and Myanmar’s ongoing political crisis.
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.
A Shenzhen court has sentenced Evergrande founder Hui Ka Yan to life in prison and ordered confiscation of his assets, while a Guangzhou court has accepted bankruptcy liquidation for Evergrande’s mainland property unit. Courts have fined Evergrande and its unit about 15.8 billion yuan, and dozens of executives have also received prison terms.
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.