Japan unemployment rate 2.4% in July, versus consensus 2.5% and June's 2.5%.

China's defence ministry said Ren'ai Reef in the Spratly Islands is Chinese territory and that Beijing and the Philippines have reached a temporary humanitarian-supply arrangement for the reef based on three principles. The ministry warned any Philippine attempt to deliver construction materials or build fixed facilities or permanent outposts will be resolutely blocked under law and regulation. It demanded the Philippines promptly tow away the illegally grounded vessel No.57 and cease all provocative actions, and said China will firmly defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights while safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Through August, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) issued more than 900 national standards for the service sector—about 860 for producer services (≈95%) and roughly 50 for life/consumer services (≈5%). 235 of the newly issued standards are already in force, supporting service-sector quality upgrades and capacity expansion.