Defense & Tech Mobilization: China revised its national defense mobilization law to add data and software to emergency stockpiles and require peacetime checks of military supply chains, raising concerns about faster wartime readiness. Cyber & AI Espionage: US firm Proofpoint says China-linked hackers impersonated US AI insiders and ex-officials to steal passwords from AI experts at universities and think tanks, as MI5 in the UK warns over 100 academics may have unknowingly aided espionage via a China-linked institute tied to the Ministry of State Security. Taiwan Maritime Autonomy: Taiwan plans a $930M unmanned vessel buildout, pairing local shipbuilding with US autonomy, AI, sensors and command systems to counter China’s maritime pressure. Rail & Innovation Connectivity: China opened new high-speed rail sections to boost cross-city talent, tech and capital flows, tightening regional collaboration. AI Industry Reality Check: A Rhodium Group analysis suggests China’s AI model businesses generate about $10.7B in annual recurring revenue—far below global AI leaders’ scale—highlighting valuation vs sales gaps. Battery Roadmap: China released a 2026-2030 plan targeting solid-state and long-life lithium by 2030 while expanding sodium-ion and other storage tech. Health AI in Pathology: Chinese researchers reported an AI system that predicts cancer biomarkers from routine H&E slides, aiming to speed molecular guidance without extra lab testing. UK University Crackdown: The UK government told universities to end ties with the China General Technology Research Institute after MI5 alleged it funds AI, cybersecurity and covert-communications research for espionage. Energy Storage & EV Travel: China set 2030 battery targets and also prepared for National Day expressway surges, including emergency charging support for NEVs.