In Brief
CHINA AND EAST ASIA
China and South Korea resume digital infrastructure talks after eight years
On 24 August, Global Times reported that China and South Korea held their 5th strategic dialogue on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Beijing, after an eight-year pause. The South Korean delegation, headed by Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon, met with his counterpart, Li Lecheng. In a statement released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the two discussed various issues, including the development direction of next-generation ICT, digital inclusion, and radio spectrum policy. Minister Li Lecheng put forth three proposals for future China-South Korea cooperation in this field, namely “improving long-term communication and exchange mechanisms, and exploring the establishment of exchange mechanisms for cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence.” 
(“China, South Korea resume ICT dialogue after 8 years, eyeing cooperation in digital, other fields,” Global Times, 24 August 2026)
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202608/1368928.shtml

CHINA AND SOUTH ASIA
China's President Xi likely to attend the BRICS summit, reports Reuters
On 24 August, Reuters reported that China's President Xi Jinping was likely to attend the BRICS summit in New Delhi on 12-13 September with a delegation of around 400 officials, marking his first visit to India in seven years and a fresh sign of easing tensions between the two rivals. Indian sources said Chinese officials were busy finalising hotels and security protocols, though Xi's final travel plans and the agenda for any potential bilateral with Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not yet been confirmed. China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing supported India in hosting the summit but had no information to provide on Xi's visit. While India and China remain competitors, US President Donald Trump's trade policies have created a shared incentive for both sides to not let external pressure undermine BRICS. Relations have only improved gradually since Modi's visit to China last year, with a fresh border dispute in recent weeks triggering sharp diplomatic exchanges.
("China's Xi likely to visit India with big delegation for first time in seven years," Reuters, 24 August 2026)
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-xi-likely-visit-india-with-big-delegation-first-time-seven-years-2026-08-24/

Boundary talks between Doval and Wang Yi put India-China stability to the test, reports Reuters
On 25 August, The Hindu reported that India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi held the 25th round of Special Representatives talks on the boundary question in Beijing, ahead of Xi Jinping's expected BRICS visit to New Delhi. Chinese strategic affairs scholar Hu Shisheng of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations said the immediate focus would be on institutionalising stability rather than a dramatic settlement, with the priority being to prevent miscalculation along the Line of Actual Control and strengthen military and diplomatic communication. Hu said the realistic next step would be to operationalise the Expert Group under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination to identify less contentious border sectors. He said both sides had a strong incentive to maintain border stability ahead of possible leader-level interaction at the summit, while noting that structural differences in the relationship had not disappeared.
("'Structural differences have not disappeared': Chinese strategic affairs scholar on India-China ties," The Hindu, 25 August 2026)
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-china-talks-structural-differences-have-not-disappeared-says-hu-shisheng/article71387073.ece

China deepens green energy push in Sri Lanka through new environmental partnership
On 24 August, the Daily Mirror reported that Sri Lanka's ABC Trade and Investments had signed a memorandum of understanding with China's All-China Environment Federation to accelerate new energy development, water management, and environmental protection projects across Sri Lanka. The agreement pairs Chinese engineering capabilities and technical expertise with ABC Trade's local operational knowledge and project implementation skills. Priority areas for immediate development include urban and rural water supply systems, sewage treatment, industrial wastewater management, village drinking water purification, and distributed renewable energy installations. The initiative is designed to address Sri Lanka's long-term environmental and civil infrastructure priorities under the Belt and Road framework.
("ABC Trade-All-China Environment Federation to drive SL's green infrastructure and investment," Daily Mirror, 24 August 2026)
https://www.dailymirror.lk/print/business-news/ABC-Trade-All-China-Environment-Federation-to-drive-SLs-green-infrastructure-and-investment/273-348716

Pakistan diversifies financing as it steps back from reliance on China
On 25 August, The Financial Times reported that Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had said the country was focused on securing US financing as it plotted a return to global capital markets, marking a significant shift after years of reliance on state loans from China. Aurangzeb said a USD 10 billion swap line sought from Washington last month was intended to serve as a confidence signal to private investors, and said he saw an important role for the US Export-Import Bank and the US International Development Finance Corporation, both of which had shown risk appetite for Pakistan. He said Islamabad had received constructive engagement from Washington and hoped for an answer in the coming months. Pakistan's trade deficit widened to a four-year high of USD 39.5 billion in the year to June, and the government was focused on shifting toward export-led growth. While Aurangzeb said the choice between the US and China was not an either-or discussion, he confirmed Pakistan was not seeking additional financing from China at the moment. China holds 23 per cent of Pakistan's USD 129.7 billion in total outstanding foreign debt, making it by far the largest creditor.
("Pakistan seeks US funding in shift from reliance on China," Financial Times, 25 August 2026)
https://www.ft.com/content/9e1158f8-bf37-41cc-9db1-e3e79834b5d0?syn-25a6b1a6=1

President Xi reaffirms and congratulates new president Fakhrul
On 24 August, The Financial Express reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping had sent a congratulatory message to Bangladesh's new President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, saying China-Bangladesh bilateral relations had withstood the test of changing international circumstances. Xi described the two countries as neighbours with a longstanding friendship built on mutual respect and equality over 51 years of diplomatic ties, and said they had supported each other on issues involving core interests and major concerns. He said he was ready to work with Fakhrul to strengthen strategic communications, enhance Belt and Road cooperation, and deepen what he called a "China-Bangladesh community with a shared future in the new era." Fakhrul took office as Bangladesh's 23rd president after stepping down as local government minister and secretary general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
("Xi says China-Bangladesh ties withstood 'changing international circumstances'," The Financial Express, 24 August 2026)
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/home/xi-says-china-bangladesh-ties-withstood-changing-international-circumstances?amp=true

CHINA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
China calls for dialogue and negotiations over the US-Iran war
On 24 August, Reuters reported that China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on all parties in the US-Iran war to return to dialogue and negotiations, stating that the situation has reached a “critical juncture.” Minister Wang Yi made his remarks after meeting with the Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in Beijing. Minister Wang further added that the “old script of recurring conflict should not be repeated,” and that China is willing to increase cooperation with Kuwait and contribute to the stability in the region.
(“China says Middle East at critical point, calls for cooling tensions and dialogue,” Reuters, 24 August 2026)
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-says-middle-east-critical-point-calls-cooling-tensions-dialogue-2026-08-24/

CHINA AND EUROPE
China’s Xinjiang Horgos port surpasses 6,000 freight trains as cargo hits 10 million tonnes
On 24 August, CGTN reported that China's Horgos Port in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region achieved a major milestone on 19 August by handling over 6,000 China-Europe and Central Asia freight trains this year. By culminating in a Poland-bound train that pushed annual cargo throughput to 10 million tonnes. The port manages over 27 trains daily and has optimized its scheduling to reload returning trains every two hours, utilizing smart customs-railway systems for instant inspection and fast clearance. Horgos has processed nearly 59,000 total trains across 91 distinct routes, successfully connecting 46 global cities across 18 countries and regions. 
(“Horgos Port logs over 6,000 China‑Europe and Central Asia freight trains as of Aug 19,” CGTN, 24 August 2026)
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-08-24/Horgos-Port-tops-6-000-China-Europe-Central-Asia-trains-by-Aug-19-1PRUPUnqeL6/p.html 

CHINA AND THE AMERICAS
US set to impose 7.5 per cent tariff on China over allegations of excess manufacturing capacity
On 24 August, Reuters reported that according to a Bloomberg News report citing people familiar with the matter, the US is set to impose a 7.5 per cent tariff on goods from China over allegations of excess manufacturing capacity. This move comes ahead of a planned summit next month between the US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping.
(“US eyes China overcapacity tariffs of 7.5% before Xi-Trump talks, Bloomberg News reports,” Reuters, 24 August 2026)
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-eyes-china-overcapacity-tariffs-75-before-xi-trump-talks-bloomberg-news-2026-08-24/ 

Beijing rejects US sanctions threats on Iran trade
On 25 August, The Economic Times reported that China stated that sanctions and pressure will not resolve the issue, following US threats of secondary sanctions on countries trading with Iran. Beijing called on all parties to avoid actions that could intensify conflicts or disrupt global economic and financial stability. As Iran's largest oil buyer, China imported over 80 per cent of Iran’s oil prior to the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. 
(“China warns new US sanctions on Iran will 'escalate the situation',” The Economic Times, 25 August 2026)
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/china-warns-new-us-sanctions-on-iran-will-escalate-the-situation/articleshow/133491012.cms?UTM_Source=Google_Newsstand&UTM_Campaign=RSS_Feed&UTM_Medium=Referral&from=mdr