July 16 — An agreement establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization was signed in Shanghai; China’s foreign minister Wang Yi signed for the Chinese government. The accord establishes an independent intergovernmental organization under the UN Charter, headquartered in Shanghai, tasked with promoting international AI cooperation and governance and ensuring AI develops in a beneficial, safe and equitable manner. Twenty-nine countries signed as founding members, including

Sichuan statistics bureau said 1H 2026 GDP was CNY 3.363 trillion at constant prices, up 4.8% YoY. Value added: primary CNY 195.3 bln (+3.6%); secondary CNY 1.1641 tln (+4.9%); tertiary CNY 2.0035 tln (+4.8%). By product, lithium‑ion batteries +62.7%, smart TVs +52.2%, integrated circuits +18.6%, industrial robots +15.7%.

TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei said the foundry will reflect its technology and manufacturing value but will not suddenly impose large price hikes — for example four- or five-fold increases that would render customers unviable — even if supply tightens. He said TSMC’s pricing aims to capture appropriate value while preserving gross margins sufficient to support long-term investment and capacity expansion, a stance he said benefits both TSMC and its customers. Wei noted envy of memory makers’ ~86% gross margins but said he would be satisfied with about 68%. He reiterated that TSMC will seek reasonable returns without abrupt price shocks and will price to allow customers to continue growing while supporting the company’s sustained expansion.