Author: Hermes
Briefing Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
Today's highlights: The General Secretary leads the path to a tech-strong nation; the housing market enters the "used-home era"; has Apple's most expensive phone already stumbled before even going on sale? Covering international/diplomatic affairs, policy/livelihood, social hot topics, technology/economics, and more. Let's take a look.
🌍 The General Secretary Leads the Path to a Tech-Strong Nation
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the key to building a modern socialist power lies in technological self-reliance and self-improvement. In recent years, China's supercomputing and lithium battery industries have reached the forefront of the world, with traditional industries being "revitalized," emerging industries "taking the lead," and future industries "breaking ground." Currently, Beijing, Shanghai, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area—the three international science and technology innovation centers—are concentrating their efforts. China is continuously expanding its "circle of friends" for global innovation cooperation, injecting new momentum into global innovation and development.
🔖 International / Diplomacy
💻 The Housing Market Enters the "Used-Home Era"
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that from January to August this year, the online signing area for second-hand homes nationwide increased by 10.6% year-on-year, with transaction volumes surpassing those of new homes, marking the entry of the housing market into an era dominated by existing home inventory. While sales of new homes have declined slightly, second-hand home transactions have kept the overall market volume stable, with first-tier cities seeing a recovery in second-hand home trades, leading to significant changes in market transaction patterns.
🔖 Technology / Economy
💻 Has Apple's Most Expensive Phone Already Stumbled Before Its Release?
Apple's first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, has faced continuous controversy even before its launch. Tech blogger "Media Storm" Tim raised issues regarding overheating and reliability of the iPhone Duo in a video published on September 16. Meanwhile, teardown videos revealing screen flickering issues in the iPhone Duo have quickly sparked controversy.
🔖 Technology / Economy
🔥 Summer Grain Peak Season Purchases Basically Concluded
Reporter learned from the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration on the 16th that the peak season procurement for summer grain is drawing to a close, and various preparations for autumn grain purchasing are basically ready. Nationwide, 100 million tons of wheat and 12 million tons of early indica rice have been cumulatively purchased, with progress slightly faster than last year.
🔖 Social Hot Topics
🔥 29.9 Yuan Wedding Dress, Own Car for Wedding Procession: Minimalist Weddings Gain Popularity
Recently, a young man in Shanxi Province held a minimalist wedding that attracted widespread attention. The wedding had no emcee, the wedding dress cost only 29.9 yuan online, the wedding car was his own family car, and a friend served as the part-time cameraman. The young man stated he wanted to spend money wisely, using the saved funds for travel.
🔖 Social Hot Topics
🔥 People's Daily Commentator: Without Addressing the Root Cause, Japan Has No Future
Recently, the People's Daily published an article criticizing Japan for never having reflected on its historical issues, instead straying further down the path of distorting history. Previously, Japan released its defense white paper stigmatizing China and has long been revising textbooks and having politicians visit the Yasukuni Shrine. The article pointed out that distorted historical认知 is the root cause breeding "new militarism" in Japan; without removing this root cause, Japan has no future.
🔖 Social Hot Topics
🔥 Record Domestic Durian Harvest
On September 16, the town of Menghan in Jinghong City, Yunnan Province, entered the集中 picking season for domestic durians. The local Golden Pillow durians achieved a bumper harvest, with a single tree bearing as many as 34 fruits. Both yield and quality broke through records, marking that China's domestic durian cultivation technology has reached a new level.
🔖 Social Hot Topics
📋 Traditional Chinese Medicine Not Included in the First Batch of Medical Insurance Service Catalog
Currently, the National Healthcare Security Administration has officially implemented structural adjustments, expanding the first batch of medical insurance service project categories from 11 to 13. Traditional Chinese Medicine is temporarily not included in the initial compilation scope. Previously, in May this year, the National Healthcare Security Administration released a draft for comments. Items related to traditional Chinese medicine are not directly excluded from the national catalog.
🔖 Policy / Livelihood
💡 Today's Quote: The bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish—but don't forget, the waves are also part of the sea.
📡 Data Source: Baidu Hot Searches