Scarborough Shoal patrols, new exit rules · Aug 1

China sets coast guard patrols at Scarborough Shoal.

Today's events

Scarborough Shoal patrols.
Four agencies including the coast guard issued management rules for the reef's national nature reserve, banning unapproved entry and creating a routine patrol regime.¹Aug 1 · China Military
New exit-entry rules.
Premier Li Qiang signed a decree, effective September 15, barring exit for citizens who breach export-control or technology-transfer rules in ways endangering industrial security.²Jul 31 · State Council
Four nuclear approvals.
The State Council's executive meeting approved four new nuclear power projects, including the first phase at Zhuanghe in Liaoning province.³Jul 31 · State Council
Forced-labor listings.
Commerce ministry condemned the United States for adding more than 40 Chinese entities to its forced-labor import ban, one day after both sides' trade call.⁴Aug 1 · MOFCOM
Army Day doctrine.
Qiushi commentary, August 1, marks the army's 99th year and places it at the turn into a new three-step modernization strategy.⁵Aug 1 · Qiushi
Bank governance overhaul.
Four financial regulators set a 2029 deadline to rebuild governance at financial institutions, targeting controlling-shareholder interference and insider control.⁶Jul 31 · PBOC
Patent power plan.
The State Council issued a five-year intellectual-property plan targeting 2030, with twelve special projects including one pairing intellectual property with artificial intelligence.⁷Jul 31 · State Council
Solar price guidance.
Market regulator convened 27 solar manufacturers in Jiangsu, pressing them to drop below-cost pricing as part of the campaign against “involutionary” competition.⁸Jul 31 · SAMR
Japan intelligence bureau.
Foreign ministry called Japan's new national intelligence agency, launched July 31, another negative turn and an acceleration of remilitarization.⁹Jul 31 · MFA

Voices

“Building the military politically is the foundation of the people's army; it bears on the direction and defining character of defense and military modernization.”
Xi Jinping, Politburo collective study · Jul 30⁵

“The coast guard shall join the administering body in establishing a routine patrol system, properly staffed and equipped, and promptly investigate violations harming the reserve.”
Natural Resources Ministry and Forestry Administration officials · Aug 1¹

“Just one day later, the U.S. issued vicious measures harming China's interests, gravely departing from the two heads of state's consensus. China strongly condemns and firmly opposes this.”
Commerce Ministry spokesperson · Aug 1⁴

“Japan, on the pretext of ‘national security’ and ‘external threats,’ is accelerating remilitarization, threatening regional peace and stability. Its leaders should learn history's lessons and act prudently.”
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning · Jul 31⁹

“Shareholders are strictly forbidden to abuse their rights or improperly interfere in management; financial institutions are strictly forbidden to channel benefits to shareholders or their affiliates.”
Joint opinion of four financial regulators · Jul 31⁶

“Solar firms must strengthen cost accounting, build sound price-compliance systems, resist vicious low-price competition and safeguard market price order.”
State Administration for Market Regulation · Jul 31⁸

Sources

China Military Online / Xinhua, “China to Establish a Routine Patrol System at the Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal) Nature Reserve,” August 1, 2026. 81.cn/ss_208539/…/huangyan-dao-patrols
State Council, “Li Qiang Signs State Council Decree Promulgating the Provisions of the State Council on Exit and Entry Administration,” July 31, 2026. gov.cn/yaowen/…/exit-entry-administration-decree
State Council, “Li Qiang Chairs State Council Executive Meeting; Four Nuclear Power Projects Including Zhuanghe Phase I Approved,” July 31, 2026. gov.cn/yaowen/…/executive-meeting-nuclear-approvals
Ministry of Commerce, “Commerce Ministry Spokesperson Answers Questions on the U.S. Adding Chinese Firms to the So-Called Xinjiang-Act Entity List,” August 1, 2026. mofcom.gov.cn/xwfb/…/xinjiang-entity-list
Qiushi, “The General Secretary Sets the Course for High-Quality Modernization of National Defense and the Armed Forces,” August 1, 2026. qstheory.cn/20260801/…/defense-modernization
People's Bank of China, Financial Regulatory Administration, Securities Regulatory Commission and Ministry of Finance, “Implementing Opinions on Improving the Governance of Financial Institutions,” July 31, 2026. pbc.gov.cn/goutongjiaoliu/…/financial-institution-governance
State Council, “State Council Issues the Plan for Intellectual Property Protection and Utilization under the 15th Five-Year Plan,” July 31, 2026. gov.cn/yaowen/…/intellectual-property-plan
State Administration for Market Regulation, “Market Regulation Administration Conducts Price-Compliance Guidance for the Photovoltaic Industry,” July 31, 2026. samr.gov.cn/xw/zj/…/photovoltaic-price-compliance
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference,” July 31, 2026. mfa.gov.cn/wjdt/fyrbt/…/mao-ning-jul-31