China news roundup / Nachrichten 2026-07-31/08-01
China’s factory activity unexpectedly contracts in July on demand slump, typhoons
"The official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index fell to 49.2 from 50.3 in June, National Bureau of Statistics data showed Friday
[...] The gauge — the weakest since February — ended a four-month run at or above 50, a stretch propped up by exporters rushing shipments ahead of U.S. tariff increases."
--- That four month run was not very positive either. As you can see below, nothing much changed in the last two years.
--- Even if you believe these official numbers, China would still be at best in stagnation, but in reality... Obviously the recession doesn't end.
"The sub-index for factory-gate prices extended its decline after a brief war-driven energy spike earlier this year, signaling producer price weakness."
--- Only goes to show that internal demand is still catastrophic.
"A statistics bureau spokesperson attributed part of the PMI weakness to a recent spate of typhoons that halted work on many projects"
China’s U.S.-bound shipments fall in July after brief recovery, survey shows
"The latest China Beige Book study found factory activity decelerated in July, with manufacturing seeing the worst performance in employment as all sectors surveyed saw job growth worsen from a year ago."
--- If there is any job growth at all. I doubt it.
"China’s top policymakers on Thursday emphasized the need to expand domestic demand and international trade cooperation, according to a state media readout. The statement underscored Beijing’s priority of achieving technological “breakthroughs.”"
--- Only that technological breakthroughs don't do much for demand. And when it comes to employment, they are actually negative.
Could AI take your job? Some workers in China already know the answer
"China is encouraging the deployment of AI at a scale unseen in the west. The technology is being rolled out at a staggering rate in an increasingly precarious labour market
[...] As well as suffering from high levels of unemployment, China has seen tens of millions of workers drop out of formal employment into the gig economy. According to one thinktank, the number of people in flexible employment will rise to 320 million this year, up from 160 million in 2019. That is about 44% of China’s workforce."
--- It must be nice to live in a real country.
"an official for the local government in Beijing’s hi-tech zone of Zhongguancun, says that the authorities are “paying close attention to the social issues AI brings, as well as potential ethical concerns.”"
--- Because the CCP is afraid of uprisings, which can and probably will come, but sadly only regional.
"Many analysts believe that China, where the government exerts significant control over the private sector, will be better placed than the US to contain the fallout from AI-related job losses."
China tightens exit rules over tech security risks
"Chinese citizens may be prohibited from leaving China if they violate export controls or technology import and export rules in a way that may endanger industrial or technological security"
--- What constitutes endangering national security is entirely up to the CCP, ie. arbitrary.
US bars imports from 43 more companies over China's alleged forced labor involving Uyghurs
"The notice published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security marks the first time companies have been added to the list under the Trump administration. It brings the number of mentioned entities to 187 from 144"
--- Which is still a rather low number all things considered.
"China would take "necessary measures" to protect its companies, the ministry added without going into more detail."
--- Those necessary measures will probably be just another tit-for-tat. If anything happens at all.
Belgium says a Canadian intern is suspected of spying at Nato. Here's what we know
"A Canadian woman of Chinese origin has been arrested for allegedly spying while working as an intern at the military headquarters of the Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) alliance
[...] "She is suspected of spying on behalf of a third country and of being a member of a criminal organization," the prosecutors' office said in a statement on Saturday.
[...] Officials have also not yet specified the third country for which the suspect was allegedly spying."
--- You have one guess.
China conducts naval, air patrols around disputed shoal in South China Sea
High Court upholds decision to allow Chinese mega embassy
Landslide death toll rises in China's Gansu Province as heavy rains continue
--- China Uncensored featured the usual weekend news variety again:
--- CNBC: "We're seeing weakness on the consumer side of the Chinese economy, says China Beige Book COO"
China droht USA im Streit um humanoide Roboter
"Die Volksrepublik fordert nun von der US-Regierung, ihre Maßnahmen umgehend zurückzunehmen. Sonst werde China entschlossen Gegenmaßnahmen ergreifen."
--- Gähn...
"Die US-Behörde begründete das Importverbot mit Cybersicherheitsrisiken, die auf die Netzwerk-Fähigkeiten der Roboter zurückzuführen seien. Diese könnten dazu missbraucht werden, um die Roboter fernzusteuern und um zu spionieren."
--- Verständlich, denn man weiß, dass China überall und immer spioniert. Und alle chinesischen Firmen sind verpflichtet, Informationen an die KPCH weiterzuleiten.
Fragwürdiger Trend in China: Menschen können ihre Gesichter jetzt an die KI vermieten
BDI warnt: China-Schock 2.0 trifft deutsche Industrie hart
