State papers opened with the synchronized 'right path runs far' notebook on major-country diplomacy, then pivoted in lockstep to Xi Jinping's instruction to expand advanced manufacturing, with Li Qiang addressing the national conference on self-reliant chains and intelligent, green integration.
Commercial and Hong Kong outlets extended the industrial line into tech self-reliance: Huawei's new AI push to curb Nvidia dependence, smartphone makers turning to CXMT memory, and a 100,000 domestic-chip weather system.
External coverage turned to the US Federal Reserve's first rate rise in three years, China's Treasury holdings falling to an 18-year low, and debate over the yuan impact.
Attention then shifted to summit diplomacy ahead of Xi's Washington visit: Wang Yi's call with Rubio, Trump pressing on fentanyl precursors, talk of new military-ties measures, while the Xiangshan Forum closed with warnings over Japan's build-up.