China

A driver, Wang Mouxin, was detained in Shanxi Province, China, after a video of a road rage incident went viral. The incident occurred when Wang, driving a newly purchased Audi with a temporary license plate, forcibly overtook a Mercedes. He then allegedly threw a betel nut at the Mercedes, verbally abused the driver, and pounded on the car windows. Police detained Wang for disorderly conduct and also issued penalties for improper license plate display and illegal overtaking, including a fine, points deduction, and a warning.

A video of a car being struck by lightning at a service area in Guangxi, China went viral. The driver reported being unharmed and unaware of the strike. Experts explain that lightning is caused by the uneven distribution of electrical charges within storm clouds. Drivers are advised to stay inside vehicles during thunderstorms and avoid parking under trees or in flood-prone areas. When driving through flooded roads, ensure the water level is below half the tire height.

Alibaba’s 88VIP membership program is expanding its perks without raising prices, adding over 10 new exclusive benefits. The upgrade combines features from previous programs, offering complimentary Hema X membership, prioritized Ele.me deliveries, Feizhu perks, movie ticket discounts, and Gaode ride-hailing vouchers. This builds upon previous enhancements and brings the total number of benefits to over 20, covering dining, entertainment, travel, and daily life. With over 50 million members, 88VIP is influential in Chinese consumer spending.

The U.S. is launching “Project ATOM,” a strategic initiative to regain leadership in open-source AI amid growing competition from China, particularly Alibaba’s Qwen models. This U.S.-based non-profit AI lab will develop freely accessible AI models, supported by over 10,000 GPUs. Backed by industry leaders, the project addresses concerns about the U.S.’s lagging open-source contributions, highlighted by the dominance of Chinese-developed open-source LLMs. Project initiator Lambert emphasizes the need for coordination and funding, warning of potential U.S. decline in global AI influence if the initiative fails.

Zhejiang Hongzhen Intelligent Chip Co., Ltd., a company known for recent board reshuffles, has been officially dissolved. China’s National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System indicates the company’s status changed to “cancellation” on July 28, 2025, due to a dissolution resolution.

In Dexing City, China, a man identified as Mr. Cheng was detained for smashing pedestrian traffic lights after becoming enraged by the signal timing. He confessed to throwing stones at the lights due to frustration over waiting time. The incident, which occurred on July 30, 2025, has led to administrative detention for Cheng and liability for repair costs. The case has sparked online debate, with netizens advocating for stricter penalties to prevent similar acts of “pedestrian road rage” and deter destruction of public property.

A man in Zhejiang, China, was reportedly scammed into purchasing an $870,000 gym membership after being lured by a resale “benefit” scheme. He invested heavily in these “opportunities” but now claims he wasn’t thinking clearly. The gym owner is now unreachable, prompting the man to pursue legal action. The gym, Hangzhou Ranyan Fitness Management Co., Ltd., was established in 2022 with limited capital. Experts warn about the risks of prepaid fitness services and advise consumers to conduct due diligence and carefully review contracts before committing.

China’s electronic information manufacturing sector saw an 11.1% year-over-year increase in added value in H1 2025. While mobile phone production declined, smartphone and IC output rose. Exports grew overall, with IC exports surging 20.6% to 167.8 billion units. Revenue reached 8.04 trillion yuan, up 9.4%, and profits totaled 302.4 billion yuan, a 3.5% increase. The profit margin also improved, indicating increased sector efficiency.

China’s CAC is implementing a “license-and-display” system for online news, requiring platforms like Tencent and Douyin to identify licensed providers. Over 13,500 public accounts now display a red “V” insignia. The CAC aims to regulate online content, cracking down on illegal activities while potentially incentivizing licensed accounts with traffic support. Websites and platforms are also visibly displaying licensing information as part of this initiative.

A *People’s Daily* commentary questioning the security of Nvidia’s H20 chip has sparked debate over potential “tracking” and “remote shutdown” vulnerabilities. Nvidia denies any “backdoors,” but China seeks verifiable proof of security, emphasizing cybersecurity’s importance. U.S. legislation, the “Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act,” proposes tracking advanced chips to prevent illegal diversion. Experts believe regulatory scrutiny targets potential risks associated with Nvidia’s products, aiming to ensure their security before widespread adoption in China. Verifiable evidence from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is needed to alleviate concerns.