EU Tech Sovereignty: The EU unveiled a “technology sovereignty” package aimed at reducing reliance on U.S. cloud giants and accelerating local data-centre build-out, while officials stress it’s only a first step and Europe still lags in AI, chips and infrastructure. U.S.-China Tech Rivalry: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said China competition now sits at the center of U.S. diplomacy, tied to economic security, supply chains and tech leadership. Digital IP Rules: China’s new trade secret regulations explicitly extend legal protection to data, algorithms, computer programs and code, reflecting the shift toward AI- and software-driven competition. Telecom Opening: China approved 166 foreign-invested firms to operate in value-added telecom services in pilot zones, including removing foreign ownership caps for some services like IDC in Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan and Shenzhen. Memory Chip IPO Watch: China’s memory makers CXMT and YMTC are preparing IPOs on Shanghai’s STAR Market as AI demand lifts profits and prices, raising liquidity concerns for the broader market. Food & Feed Science: Chinese researchers identified high-protein genes in maize, aiming to cut reliance on imported soybean meal and ease China’s feed protein shortage. Agritech in the Fields: Plant-protection drones are helping farmers spray wheat more uniformly across mountainous terrain, supporting stable grain production. Space & Capital Markets: SpaceX plans a massive IPO, while China’s Dajin Heavy sets its Hong Kong share sale at the top end, highlighting how tech and industrial firms are racing to raise offshore capital. Health Collaboration: Merck opened a Shenzhen innovation and collaboration center with CAS and local government to speed biotech and medical breakthroughs in the Greater Bay Area.