According to sentinel surveillance data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in the 29th week of 2026 (July 13 to 19), the COVID-19 test positivity rate in China surpassed that of influenza, remaining the leading respiratory pathogen for several consecutive weeks.
In the first half of 2026, the proportion of Chinese homeowners over the age of 60 listing their properties for sale soared to 22.7%, a significant increase from 11.3% in 2022.
Liu Ning, Party Secretary of Henan Province, led a team to Xinjiang for counterpart industrial cooperation, which was interpreted by outsiders as seeking a new political stronghold.
Xi Jinping, top leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), visited Pyongyang, North Korea, from June 8 to 9, and was welcomed by Kim Jong Un at Kim Il Sung Square.
CPPCC Chairman Wang Huning, accompanied by United Front Work Department Head Li Ganjie, conducted research in Xinjiang from June 5 to 9, accompanied and coordinated by Xinjiang Party Secretary Chen Xiaojiang.
At a delicate political moment, State Council Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing traveled to Xining, Qinghai to inspect salt lake enterprises and talked extensively about disaster prevention and reduction, which was seen by the outside world as being marginalized.
On September 10, a fire broke out during the maintenance of a foreign cargo ship at the Qingdao Beihai Shipyard, causing significant casualties. Xi Jinping instructed the search and rescue operation, and official sources are strictly controlling information from the scene.
On the 50th anniversary of the Tangshan earthquake, CCP leader Xi Jinping was absent from the commemorative activities, with Premier Li Qiang attending on his behalf to conduct inspections, offer condolences, and present a flower basket.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he has convened a 'deep strike' meeting and updated the list of priority targets for long-range sanctions against Russia, with Ukrainian military strike capabilities now exceeding 3,000 kilometers.
The day after Fang Xinghai was reported, Liang Wenfeng notified potential investors for the second round of financing to pause, with the valuation for the relevant round approaching $70 billion.
On July 24, 2026, China's Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration issued an announcement requiring individual residents to pay a 20% personal income tax on assets transferred into offshore trusts and the income generated during their existence, with a 90-day transition period.
Fang Xinghai was reported to be under investigation on July 24 and was subsequently taken away by the CCDI. The program stated that he had long been responsible for matters such as capital markets, cross-border funds, and wealth management.
Former American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Brent Christensen wrote an article on the Brookings Institution website stating that current U.S.-Taiwan relations are at their strongest and most comprehensive point since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1979.
Jiang Wangzheng released news claiming that Li Qiang might succeed to power at the 21st National Congress and, after taking office, push for the disclosure of officials' assets in 2027 or 2028.
The former deputy secretary of the Party committee and former president of the China Development Bank, Ouyang Weimin, is under investigation for serious disciplinary and legal violations. The case is believed to involve senior party figures, prompting external interpretations of Caixin's related reports and attention to former associates of Wang Qishan.