This year's trade-in initiative has already reached 178 million participants, and two government bodies have jointly issued a notice prohibiting the illegal trading of the Renminbi. China's early rice output has remained above 56 billion jin for six consecutive years. Several regions have disclosed marriage registration data for the Qixi Festival, while Ren Zhengfei has discussed China's two key advantages in AI development. The JI Hotel chain has registered the "Jinji" trademark, and Guo Degang is now under formal investigation with multiple shows postponed. Iran has stated that America's economic warfare will only lead to further failure.
This year's trade-in program has reached 178 million people. Vice Finance Minister Liao Min stated at a State Council Information Office press conference on the 21st that the ministry has implemented various measures this year to continue supporting and encouraging consumption. A total of 187.5 billion yuan in trade-in funds for consumer goods has been allocated, driving approximately 1.32 trillion yuan in related merchandise sales and benefiting 178 million participants.
The trade of RMB is now regulated with clear restrictions. The People's Bank of China and the State Administration for Market Regulation issued a joint announcement on the 21st, clarifying the specific circumstances under which RMB can and cannot be bought or sold. The notice details regulatory requirements for RMB trading activities and improves the adaptability of existing policies. This approach aims to legally combat illegal RMB trading, maintain orderly currency circulation, protect the public's legitimate coin and banknote collection interests, and promote the healthy and orderly development of the numismatic market.
Early rice production has remained stable. The National Bureau of Statistics released early rice output data for 2026 on the 21st. Based on sample surveys and actual harvest measurements conducted across 10 provinces, the national early rice planting area has increased slightly while per-unit yield has declined. Total output reached 56.58 billion jin, maintaining a stable level above 56 billion jin for six consecutive years.
Marriage registration data for Qixi Festival shows a peak in registrations. August 19th, which fell on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, marked the traditional Qixi Festival, with many regions experiencing a surge in marriage registrations. According to reports from Henan media, the province processed 7,025 marriage registrations, including 51 cross-regional registrations. Additionally, by 5 PM on Qixi Festival day, Jiangsu Province had processed 4,422 registrations, with 1,009 of those being inter-provincial registrations.
Ren Zhengfei has highlighted two fundamental advantages for China's AI development. During a meeting on the 20th with Wen Shugang, Chairman of China Huaneng Group, Ren stated that China possesses two important foundational advantages for developing artificial intelligence: a strong power supply and a robust telecommunications network. He noted that significant cooperation opportunities exist between the two parties in AI, computing power, and the coordination of computing and electricity. Both sides should leverage their respective core strengths, strengthen joint technological innovation and scenario-based applications, and jointly support the high-quality development of new energy and the construction of new power systems.
JI Hotel has registered the "Jinji" trademark. Recently, a small hotel in Hebei named "Jinji" was sued by JI Hotel for trademark infringement, with the chain seeking 100,000 yuan in compensation. The owner stated that the establishment has only 10 guest rooms with average daily rates of 60-70 yuan, claiming the name is compliant and all licenses are in order. According to Qichacha data, JI Hotel's affiliated company, Hanting Xingkong (Shanghai) Hotel Management Co., Ltd., was established in March 2006 with a registered capital of 138 million USD. The company has applied to register multiple trademarks including "Jinji," "JI Hotel," and "Haoji." The defendant hotel, Zhengding County Jinji Hotel, was established in August 2021 and is operated by a person surnamed Cao. It is an individual business with a capital of only 10,000 yuan.
Guo Degang is under investigation with several performances postponed. Recently, the organizer Linghang Zhenxiang Culture (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. issued a notice stating that due to venue-related reasons as informed by the theater, two Peking Opera tour performances by the Qilin Theatre Troupe and one Guo Degang comedy show originally scheduled for this week in Yantai, Shandong, have all been postponed. Ticket orders will be fully refunded without any action required from customers. According to earlier reports, Guo was accused in July of improvising an adaptation of the red classic song "My Beloved Tuba" during a Wuhan performance. As the adaptation was not filed for approval, the Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism formally launched an investigation into the matter on August 11th.
Iran says America's economic war will only worsen its failures. Trump recently announced "severe economic actions" against Iran, describing it as an unprecedented "economic war and economic isolation." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on the 20th that America's so-called economic strikes against Iran are adding to an already failed strategy. He said these actions will only bring "further failure" and deepen the hostility of the Iranian people toward the United States.