EU Trade Defense: EU commissioners are set for crunch talks on new restrictions on Chinese imports amid “China Shock 2.0” fears, with possible quotas and tariff-rate quotas on sectors like hybrid cars and chemicals. Platform Crackdown: The EU fined Temu €200m under the Digital Services Act for unsafe or illegal products, saying it failed to manage systemic risks. AI & Markets: Reuters reports China is designing AI token futures at the Shanghai Futures Exchange, aiming to hedge AI service costs and challenge U.S. compute futures plans. Smart Manufacturing Push: The World Intelligence Expo 2026 opened in Tianjin with 700+ exhibitors, spotlighting “AI+ manufacturing” and industrial integration. Energy Storage Supply Chain: India’s Pace Digitek and Amara Raja flagged rising dependence on imported Chinese battery cells, citing cost gaps and price volatility as they plan ESS expansion. China-Overseas Business Ties: Serbia’s Vucic said Chinese investments could total hundreds of millions of euros after meetings with 29 firms, including robotics ambitions. Infrastructure Deal: Uzbekistan signed China-backed agreements worth $3.5bn, including a $2.185bn Tashkent–Samarkand toll highway under an EPC+F model. Diplomacy & Security: China and Pakistan reaffirmed peaceful coexistence and deepened their all-weather partnership in New York, while separate reporting highlights ongoing regional tensions around the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.