Xi Jinping’s Apparent Health Issues Draw Attention During Kyrgyzstan Visit
Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on August 30 to attend the 2026 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and make a state visit to the country.
Footage circulating outside Chinese state media has prompted speculation about Xi’s physical condition. Videos appear to show Xi tightly holding his wife Peng Liyuan’s hand as he descended from the aircraft, with Peng seemingly providing support. Other footage reportedly shows Xi coughing repeatedly during the welcoming ceremony, while security personnel quickly intervened when a photographer attempted to approach him. Some observers said the footage showed Xi appearing unsteady or physically strained, although the videos do not establish what, if any, medical condition he may have.
Xi’s health nevertheless attracts unusual attention because the health of China’s top leadership is highly opaque. Any persistent physical changes observed during high-profile overseas appearances can therefore generate speculation, particularly when official media provide limited information about the leader’s health.
Source: NTDTV, September 1, 2026
https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2026/08/31/a104128805.html
China Seeks to Overturn Missouri’s $24.5 Billion COVID-19 Judgment
Hubei Province and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have hired the U.S.-based global law firm White & Case to challenge a $24.5 billion default judgment awarded to Missouri over China’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 31, the two Chinese entities asked a federal court in Missouri to set aside the judgment and dismiss the lawsuit. White & Case has assigned Washington-based senior litigation partner Christopher Curran, who has represented foreign governments in U.S. courts, to the case.
Missouri filed the lawsuit in April 2020, accusing China, the Chinese Communist Party, Hubei and Wuhan authorities, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and other Chinese entities of concealing information about COVID-19 and hoarding personal protective equipment (PPE), contributing to shortages and higher prices in the United States. A federal court initially dismissed the case under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, but the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals revived Missouri’s PPE-hoarding claim in 2024.
After the Chinese defendants failed to appear in court, U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. issued a default judgment in March 2025. The court initially awarded about $8.16 billion in compensatory damages, with the total subsequently increasing to approximately $24.5 billion under applicable federal law. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said the state would seek to enforce the judgment by targeting Chinese-owned assets, potentially including farmland in Missouri.
Missouri has argued that China’s challenge comes too late and vowed to continue pursuing the judgment.
Source: Epoch Times, September 1, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/8/31/n14840304.htm
China National Radio: 10 Key Points of the Newly Revised National Defense Mobilization Law
The newly revised Law of the People’s Republic of China on National Defense Mobilization has been officially promulgated and will take effect on October 1. Based on the law’s provisions, China National Radio highlights the following 10 key points:
1. Defining “national defense mobilization”
The revised law defines national defense mobilization as making adequate preparations and reserves during peacetime and rapidly shifting to a mobilization posture in times of crisis. This involves transforming the country’s human resources, materials, industrial capacity, and technological potential into national defense capabilities.
2. Establishing a “reserve personnel system”
The law distinguishes reserve personnel from reservists and establishes systems for the registration, retention, and mobilization of reserve personnel to support ongoing national defense and military reforms.
Notably, once a mobilization order is issued, designated personnel may not leave their registered place of residence without authorization. Those who are away must immediately return or remain where they are and stand by for mobilization and report for duty as required.
3. Expanding the scope of “national defense service”
The law provides that a broad segment of the population may be required to perform national defense service. Those subject to the obligation include:
- Male citizens aged 18–60
- Female citizens aged 18–55
The law also specifies exemptions. Those required to perform national defense service, particularly individuals who were previously unemployed, may receive certain subsidies.
4. Requisition and protection of civilian resources
If national defense mobilization is implemented and existing reserves are insufficient, the government may legally requisition civilian resources, including vehicles, facilities, and equipment.
However, the law establishes an exemption list covering personal and household necessities and residences, as well as essential goods and accommodations needed by childcare, elderly-care, child-welfare, and assistance institutions serving children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
Requisitioned property must be returned promptly after use, while modified property must be restored before being returned. Fair and reasonable compensation must be provided for damaged or destroyed property and direct economic losses. All requisitions must be registered and documented.
5. Special controls following national defense mobilization
Once national defense mobilization is implemented, authorities may impose controls in relevant areas over transportation, telecommunications and networks, energy, food, and other sectors, including restrictions on the movement of people and goods.
6. Mobilization in emerging fields
The revised law adds provisions promoting the application of advanced technologies in national defense mobilization and the development of mobilization capabilities in emerging fields. The move reflects the growing importance of emerging and new types of combat capabilities in modern warfare.
7. Greater opportunities for civilian companies to participate in military production
The law calls for a mobilization system covering military research and development, production, maintenance, and support. It also requires security assessments of military-industrial and supply chains and promotes the standardization, serialization, and modularization of military products, as well as the socialization of military maintenance and support.
These provisions could create greater opportunities for civilian enterprises to participate in military research, production, maintenance, and support.
8. Stricter legal responsibilities and enforcement
The law establishes penalties for refusing to fulfill mobilization obligations, evading mobilization, delaying requisitions, falsifying information, or obstructing mobilization efforts. It strengthens accountability and enforcement to safeguard national defense requirements.
9. Recognition and rewards for contributors
Organizations and individuals who make outstanding contributions to national defense mobilization will be eligible for commendations and rewards. The law emphasizes the honor of serving the country and seeks to enhance the dignity and social recognition of active-duty personnel, veterans, reservists, and militia members.
10. Improving supporting regulations and systems
Relevant military and civilian authorities will formulate or revise supporting policies and regulations based on the revised National Defense Mobilization Law and actual requirements.
Provincial governments will also develop and improve regulations and policies within their jurisdictions, with the goal of establishing a comprehensive and integrated legal and regulatory framework for national defense mobilization in the new era.
Source: China National Radio, August 30, 2026
https://military.cnr.cn/jq/20260830/t20260830_527798615.shtml
Article Highlights Policy Priorities for Emerging “New New Three” Industries
A Chinese policy article says the rise of the “new three” industries—new-energy vehicles, lithium batteries, and solar products—and the emerging “new new three”—robots, artificial intelligence, and innovative drugs—shows that technological breakthroughs, deeper application scenarios, new factor inputs, and targeted policy support are key to rapid industrial growth.
The article calls for more focused government support, replacing scattered subsidies with targeted assistance for priority industries. It also urges a shift from imitation and incremental improvements toward original and disruptive innovation, while expanding real-world applications in factories, business services, and public services.
For investment and business development, the article advocates greater government leadership and long-term investment, as well as cultivating companies of different sizes rather than focusing exclusively on industry leaders. It also calls for a more coordinated and flexible regulatory system, including stronger cross-departmental and cross-regional cooperation and more “inclusive and prudent” regulation of emerging industries.
Source: People’s Daily, August 25, 2026
http://finance.people.com.cn/BIG5/n1/2026/0825/c1004-40785486.html
Spanish Media Highlights Viral Robot Mishaps at Beijing’s World Humanoid Robot Games
Sohu published a Chinese translation of a Spanish report on the World Humanoid Robot Games, which opened in Beijing on August 22.
A total of 666 teams and 2,056 robots from 16 countries participated in the event. The five-day competition featured 51 events designed to test humanoid robots in realistic environments.
The event also produced numerous viral moments of robots falling, losing balance, colliding with walls, and struggling to coordinate their movements. One robot that reportedly broke Usain Bolt’s 100-meter world record drew particular attention after it was unable to stop at the finish line and continued running along a wall.
The widely shared footage highlighted persistent limitations in humanoid robots, particularly their stability, coordination, and ability to respond to unexpected situations. China has promoted itself as a global leader in humanoid robot development and manufacturing, but the mishaps exposed some of the technology’s remaining shortcomings.
Source: Sohu, August 28, 2026
https://timeline.sohu.com/news/AI3ut1Yhxm
China’s Marriage Registrations Hit Record Low in First Half of 2026
China recorded 3.275 million marriage registrations in the first half of 2026, down 264,000 couples, or about 7.5 percent, from the same period last year, according to data released by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Yonhap News Agency reported that this was the lowest figure since nationwide marriage-registration statistics were systematically compiled following China’s revision of its Marriage Law in 1980.
Meanwhile, 1.383 million couples registered for divorce during the first half, up 52,000, or about 3.9 percent, from a year earlier. The continued decline in marriages, alongside rising divorces, highlights the demographic and social pressures facing China.
China’s annual marriage registrations peaked at 13.469 million couples in 2013 and have generally declined since then. The figure fell below 10 million in 2019, 9 million in 2020, 8 million in 2021, and 7 million in 2022. Although registrations temporarily rebounded to 7.68 million in 2023 amid a post-pandemic “catch-up” in marriages, they plunged to 6.106 million in 2024, a 20.5 percent decline from 2023.
Source: Radio France International, August 12, 2026
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/中国/20260812-中国今年上半年结婚登记327-5万对-创历史新低
China Formally Removes Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from Central Military Commission
China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee on August 28 formally removed Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Liu Zhenli, a CMC member, from their positions on the state CMC. This marked the first formal removal at the state-institution level since the two were announced in January to be under investigation for alleged “serious violations of discipline and law.”
Zhang, formerly a member of the Politburo and the CMC’s first-ranked Vice Chairman, was widely regarded as the second-most powerful figure in China’s military hierarchy after Xi Jinping. Liu also served as Chief of the CMC Joint Staff Department, overseeing PLA operational planning and joint operations. Chinese authorities have not disclosed specific allegations, evidence, financial details, or potential legal consequences in either case.
Xinhua also reported that Zhong Shaojun, regarded as a close military aide to Xi Jinping, was stripped of his National People’s Congress membership. Zhong served as Xi’s personal secretary during Xi’s tenure in Zhejiang, Shanghai, and later at the central government, despite having no significant military background. Xi appointed him Director of the CMC General Office in 2013. Zhong left that position in 2024 and became Political Commissar of the National Defense University before being removed from that post in October 2025.
Source: VOA, August 29, 2026
https://www.voachinese.com/a/china-formally-removes-zhang-youxia-and-liu-zhenli-from-state-central-military-commission-posts-20260828/8191566.html
Japan’s Pro-China Lawmakers Visit China to Improve Bilateral Ties, but Beijing Lectures Them Instead
A bipartisan group of Japanese lawmakers recently visited Beijing in an effort to restore political exchanges amid deteriorating Japan-China relations. The delegation included Shinichi Isa of the Centrist Reform Alliance, Gaku Hashimoto of the Liberal Democratic Party, and lawmakers from Komeito. Many of the delegates are considered relatively China-friendly and maintain some distance from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government.
But Beijing offered no apparent concessions. Instead, Lu Kang, a deputy head of the Chinese Communist Party’s International Department, told the delegation that Beijing had no intention of changing its current Japan policy unless Takaichi reverses her November parliamentary remarks that “a Taiwan contingency is a contingency for Japan.” The message was clear: Beijing is prepared to improve bilateral relations, but expects Japan to make concessions first.
Japanese commentator Akio Yaita criticized the lawmakers’ visit as a diplomatic miscalculation, arguing that Beijing used the meeting to pressure Tokyo rather than offer substantive concessions on issues such as export controls. He said Japan needs dialogue with China, but such engagement should be based on mutual respect. If Beijing believes Japan is eager to improve relations, he warned, it may demand a high price and repeatedly humiliate Japan.
Source: Liberty Times (Taiwan). August 29, 2026
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/5556051