News that caught our eye / The week ending July 11, 2025
NOTE: The news reports below are not in chronological order. There is often a time lag in their reaching the US and in gaining our attention. These reports reflect the opinions of a variety of news sources.
🚗 Economy & Industry
Calls grow for China's household sector to be bigger economic driver / July 7, 2025
China's GDP growth set to slow, raising pressure on policymakers / July 11, 2025
Chinese students sleep off heatwave in libraries and tents / July 9, 2025
As eastern China deals with extreme heat, residents are finding new ways to cool down.
Push to Boost Consumer Spending / July 7, 2025
Government advisers urge raising household consumption from ~40 % to 50 % of GDP by 2035, via welfare expansion, tax cuts, pension support, and property-market reforms—key to the upcoming 15th Five‑Year Plan.
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🌏 International Relations & Trade
India and China strive to reset ties but with caution / July 9, 2025
Citizens of more than 70 countries can now visit China without a visa / July 9, 2025
Foreign tourists are trickling back to China after the country loosened its visa policy to unprecedented levels
Second Albanese‑Xi summit for business ties: / July 11, 2025
Albanese will meet Xi, Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji across Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, focusing on business, tourism, sports, and green energy collaboration.
China phone crooks use AI-cloning for scam, crank calls used to get real voice to mimic / July 10, 2025
Nighttime con gang targets vulnerable in elderly homes where landline phones remain prevalent, victims think loved one urgently needs cash.
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🚢 Military & Security Incidents
Laser Incident in Red Sea / July 8, 2025
A Chinese warship allegedly targeted a German military aircraft with a laser near Djibouti during an EU maritime operation. Germany condemned it as “completely unacceptable” and summoned China’s ambassador.
Czech government bans DeepSeek usage in public administration / July 8, 2025