China's H1 GDP grows 4.7 percent

The World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance has concluded in Shanghai, with major governance initiatives and innovative outcomes released (01:06). Iran says it has received proposals from the mediators for the resumption of negotiations with the United States and de-escalation of tensions in the region (11:17). Andy Burnham becomes the seventh UK prime minister in a decade after Keir Starmer formally steps down (19:50).

Addressing the opening ceremony of the World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the country's major measures to support global development of artificial intelligence (01:15). Hostilities between the United States and Iran have continued, despite the memorandum of understanding they signed in mid-June (17:19). China's foreign exchange market held steady in the first half of the year, weathering increased turbulence in global financial markets (36:08).

The 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance will begin on Friday, showcasing the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence while shaping discussions on global governance on the sector (01:06). Hostilities between Iran and the US military have intensified a day after the US re-imposed its naval blockade on ships to and from Iranian ports (11:58). Beijing has expressed appreciation for Papua New Guinea's decision to close its "Taipei Economic and Cultural Office" (19:54).

Officials say the Chinese economy expanded 4.7 percent in the first half of the year, laying the groundwork for the country to achieve its annual growth target of 4.5 to five percent (01:04). The US has struck Iranian targets before re-imposing a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has attacked US military targets in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain (12:15). A fire in a building under renovation in Brussels has killed seven people (20:12).

Iran has warned the US against interfering in the management of the Strait of Hormuz after the US president said his country is reinstating a blockade on Iran in the strait (01:06). The Chinese foreign minister says China is willing to work with Kazakhstan to seek common development while meeting with his Kazakh counterpart in Beijing (23:07). China's foreign trade in goods in the first half of the year reached nearly 25.5 trillion yuan, marking the first time the figure surpassed 25 trillion yuan in that period (40:29).

China has released a critique of the so-called South China Sea Arbitration Award, unveiling its major flaws in legal application, factual findings, and evidence assessment (01:02). China's east coast continues to respond to the intense rainfall from Typhoon Bavi, as the storm moves inland and loses strength (15:17). The US and Iran continue to exchange fire in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf region (24:48).

China and Namibia are pushing forward cooperation as the two presidents meet in Beijing (01:10). Authorities in East China have stepped up emergency preparations as Typhoon Bavi approaches (16:01). China's Long March 10B rocket has made history as the first Chinese launch vehicle to be successfully recovered after an orbital mission (41:16).

Cleanup and relief operations are underway in south China's Guangxi following typhoon-triggered floods that have killed at least 39 people (01:02). The interim ceasefire between the US and Iran is facing uncertainty as both sides continue to trade strikes (10:34). The NATO summit has wrapped up in Turkiye, with internal disputes still unresolved among member states (21:43).

Beijing has held a meeting to award China's highest sci-tech honors, with President Xi Jinping presenting the top awards (00:59). Large areas of southern China are reeling from flooding triggered by torrential rains from the 10th typhoon to hit the country this year (10:10). US President Donald Trump says he believes the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran is over, following the worst escalation of violence since the deal was implemented (21:04).

China marks the 89th anniversary of the Lugou Bridge Incident, the start of Japan's full-scale invasion and China's whole-nation resistance against Japanese aggression (01:02). Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls on China and Norway to work toward an early conclusion of a free trade agreement during talks with his Norwegian counterpart (07:57). The UN welcomes Hamas' announcement that it will transfer the administration of Gaza to a Palestinian technocratic committee (33:21).