US-China investment, ‘Chinese Schindler’, DJI Pentagon battle: 7 US-China relations reads

From a Chinese AI surprise to US defence bill, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in the first half of August 2026

The US-China Board of Investment, one of the key outcomes of the May summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, is unlikely to be among the deliverables for their expected meeting next month in Washington, according to the head of a leading bilateral business group.

The National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA), which sets US defence policy and authorises military spending each year, reflects a broad bipartisan consensus on expanding Washington’s military, technological and economic rivalry with Beijing.

The legacy of Ho Feng-shan, a Chinese diplomat who saved the lives of thousands of Jews facing Nazi oppression before and during the second world war is being used to sell homes in his hometown – to the outrage of his daughter.