This week, China commanded global attention with a series of significant developments spanning international diplomacy, economics, culture, and high technology. Below are five pivotal topics that shaped the week's agenda.

1. Resetting China-Australia Relations

On July 15, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing, during Albanese's six-day visit to China. The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation and review of their Free Trade Agreement. As Albanese emphasized earlier, on July 11, during a meeting with the business community in Shanghai, stable trade ties with China create jobs and foster economic growth in Australia.

2. Preparations for the SCO Summit: High-Level Meetings in Beijing

Also on July 15, Xi Jinping held discussions with the foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, who had arrived in China for a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers. A separate meeting also took place with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during which the stability and strategic orientation of the China-Russia partnership were reaffirmed. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that the SCO Summit would be held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, marking the largest such event in the organization's history.

3. China's Economy Exceeds Forecasts: GDP Grows 5.3% in First Half

According to data from China's National Bureau of Statistics, the Chinese economy grew by 5.3% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, surpassing analyst expectations. Foreign trade also demonstrated stability, with total import and export volume reaching 21.79 trillion yuan ($3.04 trillion), an increase of 2.9%. These results underscore the effectiveness of the country's stimulating policies.

4. Nvidia CEO Praises Chinese Achievements in AI

During his third visit to China in 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang noted that the country is home to half of all artificial intelligence researchers globally. In an interview with CNN, he emphasized that the Chinese market remains crucial for American companies despite existing restrictions. On July 14, the company announced the resumption of H20 chip shipments to China after securing the necessary authorizations from U.S. authorities.

5. Western Xia Imperial Tombs Inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List

On July 12, the imperial tombs of the Western Xia dynasty were officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris. This monument from the Western Xia era (1038–1227 AD) represents a unique example of cultural interaction along the Great Silk Road and confirms the historical significance of the region as a crossroads of civilizations.

ORIENT