Reserve Bank of Australia to release minutes of its August monetary policy meeting in ten minutes.

The second-review draft of the amended Agricultural Law was submitted for consideration at the 24th meeting of the 14th NPC Standing Committee on the 25th. The draft seeks to bolster support for agriculture and the rural economy by promoting coordinated development of technology-driven, green, quality and branded agriculture; safeguarding seed-industry security and modernizing seed systems; and raising agricultural-insurance coverage and service quality. It encourages integration of IoT, artificial intelligence and other new technologies into agricultural production, operations and management. The draft also calls for strengthened rural construction and governance, including promotion of public-security-focused 'safe village' initiatives to enhance rural social order and household welfare. Finally, it proposes supporting international agricultural exchanges and cooperation and active Chinese participation in international governance on sustainable agriculture and food security.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II visited China Aug. 18-24, 2026, at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. The leaders held substantive talks and agreed to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership into broader pragmatic cooperation across sectors. They urged maintaining a ceasefire between the United States and Iran and called for dialogue and negotiations to reach a comprehensive settlement that addresses the root causes of regional tensions while respecting the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of regional states. They said normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz should be restored given its importance for international trade and energy flows. The leaders witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding.