Foreign Minister Wang Yi met South Korean counterpart Cho Hyun in Seoul to advance Phase 2 FTA talks and expand cooperation into AI, green energy, and the silver economy. Seoul reaffirmed its One-China stance as both capitals prepare for the upcoming November APEC summit in Shenzhen and the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties. The meeting underscores a steady diplomatic thaw between Beijing and Seoul amid regional security shifts.

China is accelerating retrofits across its 3.9-million-kilometer urban underground pipeline network to improve disaster resilience and eliminate persistent urban waterlogging. Having overhauled 1 million kilometers during the 14th Five-Year Plan, policymakers have formally elevated subterranean infrastructure into the national 'six networks' strategic framework. The initiative directs capital toward replacing legacy late-20th-century utilities serving over 950 million urban residents.

Central authorities conferred top aerospace merit medals on the Shenzhou-21 crew after completing China's longest single-crew orbital residency aboard the Tiangong space station. Commander Zhang Lu set a national record with seven cumulative career spacewalks during the seven-month mission. The milestone highlights Beijing's steady operational maturity in long-duration space station maintenance and scientific experimentation.

The Chinese navy's 48th escort detachment is completing its regular maritime security tour off the Horn of Africa ahead of a planned operational handover. Centered around the frigate Daqing, the mission delivered dedicated protection to vulnerable commercial shipping lanes. The deployment demonstrates China's sustained blue-water expeditionary presence protecting strategic global sea lines of communication.

State and military media spotlighted an ideological campaign within the 75th Group Army using the iconic Long March 'half belt' story to reinforce absolute Party loyalty across frontline combat units. The initiative ties historical fidelity directly to ongoing anti-corruption and political discipline campaigns within the military hierarchy. The push reflects Beijing's heightened emphasis on ideological reliability and strict political governance throughout the armed forces.