South China Sea Tensions: China’s research vessel Jia Hai Ke 7, with coast guard escorts, remains under close watch near the Philippines’ EEZ as Manila rejects Beijing’s claims of jurisdiction and cites unauthorized marine research and a separate flag-raising incident near Scarborough Shoal. Taiwan Strait Flashpoint: Taiwan’s Coast Guard says it expelled Chinese fishing boats near the Pratas Islands using water cannon after repeated warnings, underscoring rising enforcement around disputed waters. Trade & Industry: China opened an anti-dumping probe into EU p-nitrotoluene imports, citing alleged low-price dumping and injury to domestic producers, just as EU-China talks loom. G20 Messaging: At a G20 trade meeting in Milwaukee, China pushed for WTO-centered multilateralism and opposed unilateralism tied to “overcapacity” and “forced labor.” Energy & Climate Tech: Hainan is expanding waste-to-energy after closing landfill sites, cutting methane while processing thousands of tonnes of daily garbage. National Day Economy: Holiday travel stays strong into Day 3, with rail passenger trips expected to hit 18.9 million as short-haul demand drives added services. Tech & Security: Cisco Talos reported a China-linked espionage group using Microsoft 365 as a command-and-control channel via the Antino backdoor. Sports: Jannik Sinner withdrew from the Shanghai Masters due to a lingering knee problem, while China’s National Day box office topped 30 billion yuan for 2026 so far.