Xi’s North Korea State Visit: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Pyongyang for a two-day summit with Kim Jong-un, his first trip in seven years, as Beijing seeks to reaffirm influence and secure economic and political support amid stalled denuclearization talks. Private Fund Crackdown: China issued sweeping rules to tighten oversight of its $3.4 trillion private fund industry, aiming to curb illegal fundraising and misuse of assets while steering capital toward national priorities. Gaokao & New Majors: China’s 2026 gaokao opened with about 12.9 million candidates, as universities roll out new undergraduate programs like embodied intelligence and marine intelligence to match strategic needs. Energy Strategy Split: The Hormuz disruption highlights a divergence: China leans on diversified sourcing and domestic stability, while the U.S. and others coordinate supply moves. China–Sri Lanka Cybercrime Deal: China and Sri Lanka agreed to strengthen law-enforcement cooperation against cybercrime networks, including legal action and network identification. E-commerce Pressure: China’s cross-border e-commerce exports face strain from higher jet fuel costs and weaker Western demand tied to the Iran war. Market Watch: China and Hong Kong stocks opened lower as investors questioned the durability of the AI-led rally. Trade & Connectivity: Singapore Airlines launched a direct route to Hangzhou, reflecting continued growth in China–Singapore travel demand. Culture & Industry: China’s geological vessel Haiyang Dizhi-6 completed its 16th deep-sea expedition, while a Plum Blossom opera showcase wrapped in Shanghai to push Chinese stage arts globally.