Manulife Financial will adopt Microsoft's (MSFT.O) Frontier suite and deploy Microsoft Agent 365 to support enterprise AI applications.

Chengdu municipal government published an AI+ action plan targeting the AI core industry to exceed CNY260 billion by 2027 with growth above 30%. The plan launches a “double‑100” programme—100 innovation products and 100 demonstration application scenarios—and aims to produce 20 benchmark application scenarios annually. Penetration of new‑generation smart terminals and intelligent agents is targeted above 70% by 2027 and above 90% by 2030, with AI broadly integrated across city industries by 2030.

US Secretary of State Rubio said the blockade of international waterways has set a very dangerous precedent that could be repeated in other parts of the world, including Asia.