China news today
China moves into July 2025 with the nation attracting global headlines through the pace of technological progress, fatal acts of nature, and rising diplomatic activity. From the pioneering AI milestones to deadly floods that have displaced thousands of people, these are China's largest news headlines today.
1. Catastrophic Floods Sweep Across Central and Southern China
China is suffering through one of the worst weather-induced disasters of the year. Central and southern regions experienced heavy rains that led to severe floods, killing at least nine and displacing tens of thousands so far. Rescue squads are working day and night to evacuate stranded citizens and deliver relief materials to flooded areas.
The heavy rains, which commenced last week, have affected many provinces, including Hunan, Guangxi, and Jiangxi, with roads submerged, homes leveled, and cultivated fields washed away. Meteorologists forecast more rains in the coming days, mounting pressure on disaster preparedness and relief.
Source: ABC News
2. China's AI Revolution: Baidu and Huawei Open-Source Advanced Language Models
China is doubling down on its ambition to become a global AI leader. Baidu and Huawei—two of the country's tech giants—released their best-of-breed language models as open-source, marking a giant leap in AI availability and innovation.
- Baidu's Ernie 4.5 boasts an incredible 424 billion parameters, one of the most powerful Chinese-language models in the world.
- Huawei’s Pangu series has also gone open-source, adding to China’s rapidly growing portfolio of LLMs (Large Language Models).
These developments come just weeks after DeepSeek, another AI powerhouse, made headlines by launching its own open-source model. Analysts believe this open-access movement is aimed at fostering a collaborative ecosystem to rival Western AI dominance.
Source: TrendForce
3. Billion-Yuan Boost for Chinese AI Chip Startup
In a closely related development, a Chinese startup that specializes in AI GPU chips raised nearly 1 billion yuan (approximately \\$140 million USD) in a major funding round. That suggests investor and government faith in local substitutes for U.S.-dominated chipmakers like NVIDIA.
The financing will be used to increase chip production, expand R\&D, and reduce reliance on imported AI hardware—a top strategic priority amid ongoing U.S.-China tech tensions.
Source: Caixin Global
4. Global Digital Economy Conference Opens in Beijing
China today opened its Global Digital Economy Conference 2025 in Beijing. The conference, which unites leaders and innovators across the globe, is seeking to boost international digital collaboration as well as push China's vision for shaping the future of global digital governance.
Core focus areas are:
- AI ethics and regulation
- Cross-border e-commerce
- Digital infrastructure initiatives (such as the Digital Silk Road)
China is becoming a rule-maker, not a rule-taker in the emerging digital economy, and seeks to take a bigger role in global technological diplomacy.
Source: China Daily
5. China Bans Philippine Senator Over "Egregious Conduct"
In a diplomatic action, China has banned Philippine Senator Francis Tolentino from the mainland of China, Hong Kong, and Macau for "egregious anti-China conduct." Tolentino made statements in favor of Philippine sovereignty over disputed areas of the South China Sea.
The move has stirred passionate reactions from Filipino lawmakers, as some call it an attempt to silence democratic debate. Philippines-China tensions are still ongoing, especially on maritime issues and U.S.-Philippine defense relations.
Source: PhilStar
Conclusion: China in the Global Spotlight
From natural disasters testing its emergency equipment to breakthroughs in AI and e-diplomacy, China is treading the thin line between crisis and opportunity. These stories bring to fore the country's dual script: a nation beset with dire domestic issues while aggressively attempting to carve out its space in world technology, politics, and trade.
For readers, policymakers, and businesses globally, observing China's transformation today is more crucial than ever.
External Sources:
- ABC News – China Floods
- Caixin Global – AI Chip Funding
- TrendForce – Baidu & Huawei AI Models
- China Daily – Digital Economy Conference
- PhilStar – Tolentino Ban