Epoch Times 29th July 2025 bulletin: Every day, Epoch Times provides readers with essential articles to climb over the Great Firewall.
1.
Chinese Communist Party Releases Parenting Subsidy Plan; Public Questions Effectiveness
According to official Chinese Communist Party data, the total population decreased for the third consecutive year in 2024. On July 28th, the authorities introduced the latest parenting subsidy plan in an attempt to encourage childbirth. The news briefly trended as the top search on Weibo, with the public expressing that something is better than nothing, but questioning its effectiveness.
2.
Shake-up in Chinese Home Furnishing Materials Industry; Several Industry Giants Successively Commit Suicide
Several industry insiders confirmed that Wang Linpeng, the Chairman of the leading enterprise in the Chinese mainland home furnishing industry, “Remarkable Smart Home,” aged 57, recently committed suicide by jumping off a building, shocking the industry. Not long ago, another big player in the home furnishing industry, the founder of Wonderful Home, aged 53, also died by suicide.
3.
Collapse of Shanghai’s “Russian Goods Pavilion”; Counterfeit Goods Rampant
Under the promotion of the Sino-Russian friendly atmosphere, stores selling Russian imported products have seen a surge in consumer interest since December last year in various Chinese cities including Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Guangzhou. However, due to issues such as “local products flooding the market” and “unlicensed operations,” these stores are now facing a wave of closures.
4.
Major Changes in China’s Graduate Education System; Over One Billion Netizens Show High Interest
Recently, several mainland Chinese universities have announced that starting from 2026, the duration of certain professional master’s programs will be extended from two years to three years. This news quickly sparked a trending topic on the internet, with total readings surpassing 1 billion.
5.
Shi Yongxin’s Collapsed Building Incident Affects Entertainment Industry; Several Shaolin Temple Projects Likely Unfinished
The news of Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the Shaolin Temple, being taken away for investigation has attracted significant attention. According to the latest developments, the Chinese Buddhist Association has cancelled Shi Yongxin’s ordination. The collapsed building incident involving Shi Yongxin has not only impacted Buddhism but also rippled into mainland China’s film and television industry, potentially leaving several Shaolin Temple projects unfinished.
6.
Analysis: Chinese Communist Party Parasitizing Global Markets; Weaponizing Battery Supply Chains
Under the governance of the Chinese Communist Party, Communist China is not just a country with different geopolitical objectives and economic practices but also a promoter of an economic model that doesn’t align with the operational mode of the global market economy.
7.
Li Ka-shing’s Port Deal Undergoes Major Adjustment; Announces Invitation for Chinese Enterprises to Invest
Li Ka-shing’s flagship company, CK Hutchison Holdings (CK Hutchison), announced on July 28th that exclusive negotiations with a consortium led by BlackRock had expired. The company stated that despite the expiration, discussions were ongoing with consortium members and that they planned to invite major strategic investors from mainland China to become key members of the consortium.
8.
Experts: Recall Referendum Raises Taiwanese Awareness of Chinese Communist Party’s Infiltration
Experts point out that while the outcome of the Taiwan Recall Referendum may not have been entirely satisfactory, the main demand of the recall – “Anti-Communism, Protect Taiwan” – aligns with the international trend. This recall movement has raised awareness among many citizens regarding the infiltration of the Communist Party. Overseas Youth Election Observers also urge to “Defend Taiwanese democracy and be vigilant against Communist infiltration.”
9.
Guangdong’s Outbreak of Chikungunya Fever Angers Residents Due to “Sweeping Campaign” Against Mosquitoes
The rapid spread of the Chikungunya virus initially discovered in Foshan, Guangdong has led to cases being found in Macau and Beijing, with the virus spreading to 12 cities in Guangdong Province. The latest official report indicates nearly 5,000 confirmed cases. Local governments have initiated a “sweeping campaign” against mosquitoes, but residents complain about issues of deception in the campaign.
10.
Wage Arrears Crisis Spreads in China; Employees of Companies Appeal for Help Through Videos
In recent times, “wage arrears crises” have been erupting in various parts of China. Construction workers have resorted to demolishing completed steel structures due to prolonged wage arrears, while employees of companies have been recording videos to openly seek rights protection. Interns have been deprived of basic labor guarantees due to signing “internship agreements.” Labor experts warn that if the wage arrears rights protection mechanism continues to malfunction, it could lead to wider social unrest.
11.
Hsu Jiayin Case Becomes a “Hand Grenade” in Official Circles; Ma Xingrui in the Firing Line?
Ma Xingrui, the Communist Party Secretary of Xinjiang, was suddenly removed from office on July 1, with official statements citing “other appointments” for his dismissal. Ma Xingrui’s future has since been a subject of speculation. Reports indicate that the Evergrande founder Hsu Jiayin’s case has wide implications, with Ma Xingrui, who previously served in Guangdong, also appearing in the list provided by Hsu Jiayin.
12.
Gao Zhengpu: The Traps Behind China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”
On July 7th, China and Brazil reached an agreement to jointly explore building a transcontinental railway across the Andes Mountains, allowing Brazilian goods to be shipped directly to the port of Chancay on the Pacific coast of Peru via railway. If this project comes to fruition, it would shorten the transportation time of Brazilian goods to Asia by 12 days, eliminating the need to pass through the Panama Canal. The Brazilian government sees this as strengthening its economic and trade ties with Asian markets. However, the agreement has sparked sovereignty disputes due to insufficient consultation with Peruvian authorities. This article will analyze the true strategic intentions behind China’s (Note: For this article, “China” refers to the Communist Party and regime) promotion of this agreement from a geopolitical perspective, highlighting the potential risks of neocolonialism faced by Latin America.
13.
Apple Closes Mainland Direct Store for the First Time
Apple’s Dalian Century City store in Dalian, Liaoning Province, will close on August 9, 2025, with Apple not disclosing the reason for the closure. The news of “Apple closing its first direct store in China” made headlines on July 29.
14.
Sun Ye: True Faith Suppressed, Fake Monks Praised
The downfall of the abbot of the Shaolin Temple, Shi Yongxin, has sparked widespread attention on social media. This Buddhist figure, once branded by the Communist Party as “Shaolin’s CEO,” has not only been extensively involved in commercial real estate but also holds stakes in multiple companies. He has been exposed for extravagant living, moral misconduct, and even reported for keeping a mistress and having an illegitimate child, yet has remained unscathed. An ordained individual living as a capitalist, politician, and celebrity is truly astounding.
15.
Think Tank Scholar: Chinese Communist Party Attempts to Reshape the Political Landscape of the United States
Audrye Wong, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), stated during a congressional hearing in the U.S. that the Chinese Communist Party’s “political machine” is pushing pro-Communist individuals into elected positions in American politics. The long-term strategy of the Chinese Communist Party is to reshape the political landscape of the United States.