IDC's inaugural China AI Video Cloud Market Share, 2025 report projects that by 2025 the market will concentrate in two core tracks — real‑time AI audio/video interaction and intelligent media production and processing — with a combined market size near 1 billion yuan. IDC says the intelligent media production and processing segment is expanding fastest, with YoY growth as high as 427%.

The National Development and Reform Commission and National Energy Administration issued the "15th Five-Year Plan for Petroleum and Natural Gas Development", directing technology R&D across infrastructure and end‑use. Infrastructure priorities include intelligent pipeline construction and inspection, pipeline-network simulation and operational optimization, and smart design/control and digital-twin tech for pipelines and stations to accelerate industry digitalization. The plan mandates R&D on high‑pressure pure‑hydrogen pipeline materials and safe transport, large‑scale hydrogen blending and repurposing of pipelines for hydrogen, aquifer gas storage and deep underground hydrogen storage, multi‑medium transport (methanol, liquid ammonia) and CCS/CCUS. End‑use priorities include accelerating domestic heavy gas-turbine production, improving in-service gas-turbine maintenance technology, developing high‑efficiency low‑emission vehicle and marine gas engines and high-end gas wall‑hung boilers for localization, and researching optimized, green low‑carbon refinery–petrochemical integration.

China’s Foreign Ministry on Aug. 17 condemned Japanese prime minister Takaichi’s Aug. 15 memorial speech and said her actions risked whitewashing wartime aggression. Spokesman Lin Jian said Takaichi avoided reflecting on past crimes and blurred responsibility while making offerings to a shrine honoring convicted war criminals on Japan’s surrender anniversary. Visits by Japan’s defence minister and other senior officials to the shrine have, the ministry said, heightened vigilance among Asian neighbours and the international community. China again urged Japanese leaders to heed domestic and international criticism, deeply reflect on wartime wrongs and fully sever ties with militarism.