On July 23 Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, at a routine briefing, was asked why China conducted live-fire drills in the Taiwan Strait the day after U.S.-China talks in the Philippines and whether the timing was meant as a signal to Washington. Lin said: "Regarding the military exercises you mentioned, relevant Chinese departments have already released information."

乌克兰总统泽连斯基：前国防部长费多罗夫被提议担任多个职位，包括负责国防创新的副总理。

At midday Hong Kong stocks were firmer: the Hang Seng Index was up 1.34% and the Hang Seng Tech Index rose 0.79%. Non‑ferrous metals led gains—Ganfeng Lithium +9%+, Tianqi Lithium (09696.HK) and Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco, 02600.HK) each up over 7%. Power-equipment names outperformed: Dongfang Electric (01072.HK) +5%+, Harbin Electric (01133.HK) +4%, Goldwind (02208.HK) +3%. Brokerages including GF Securities (01776.HK), Guotai Haitong (02611.HK) and China Merchants Securities (06099.HK) rose >2%. Lithium-battery, domestic bank, property and logistics stocks were also strong; semiconductor names underperformed—Tianshu Zhixin (09903.HK) -8%+, Hua Hong Hongli (01347.HK) -6%+. Optical-communications, OLED and baby-products sectors lagged. Meituan (03690.HK) rebounded >5%; Zhipu (02513.HK) fell ~3%.