China-Kyrgyzstan Relations: Kyrgyzstan’s growing reliance on Chinese labor and firms is drawing fresh public backlash, as officials cite tens of thousands of Chinese work visas and thousands of registered Chinese companies, alongside concerns over jobs, land leases, resources, and sovereignty. Construction Oversight: In Chui region, authorities inspected 25 construction sites and imposed fines totaling over 1 million soms for urban planning and documentation violations. Energy & Weather: Heat over 40°C and a July 17 power outage in Bishkek—linked to faults on key transmission lines and automatic load shedding—added to public pressure. Border Infrastructure: A senior presidential special representative reviewed construction of the “Nizhny-Chuy” checkpoint near the Kazakhstan border, pushing for faster completion and better communications to boost trade capacity. Land Policy: President Sadyr Japarov reiterated that state land cannot be sold or pledged to foreigners, while investors may receive long-term use rights under state conditions. SCO Security Talks: SCO border chiefs met in Islamabad, exchanging border security assessments and endorsing plans for joint “Solidarity-2026” operations. Digital Governance: Kyrgyzstan’s Justice Ministry is rolling out online business registration and a draft new Code on Administrative Activities to cut processing times and reduce certificate collection. Culture & Soft Power: Kyrgyzstan proposed an SCO international theater festival and highlighted SCO cultural cooperation as Cholpon-Ata hosts the SCO film festival.