China foreign ministry to pause daily press briefings Aug, 4-15

China foreign ministry to pause daily press briefings Aug, 4-15

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has announced that it will temporarily suspend its daily press briefings from August 4 to August 15. This decision comes amidst a series of significant geopolitical and economic developments, including the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and ongoing humanitarian concerns in Gaza.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, confirmed the suspension in a recent press briefing. The temporary halt in briefings is expected to coincide with the SCO summit, which is scheduled to take place in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. The summit will see leaders from over 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations gathering to discuss regional security threats and other critical issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the summit [1].

In addition to the SCO summit, China has been deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has called on relevant parties, especially Israel, to immediately stop military operations and lift the blockade and siege on Gaza to prevent a larger humanitarian crisis [2]. The World Health Organization has reported that malnutrition-related deaths in Gaza have reached critical levels, with 63 deaths recorded this month alone, including 25 children [2].

The pause in press briefings is expected to allow the Chinese government to focus on the preparations for the SCO summit and address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Foreign Ministry has emphasized the importance of solidarity and cooperation among member states to build a new paradigm for regional security cooperation [1].

The suspension of daily briefings also coincides with ongoing geopolitical tensions between China and the United States, particularly in the realm of shipbuilding. The Trump administration's efforts to curtail China's dominance in global shipbuilding have led to a significant drop in new orders for Chinese shipyards, with orders plunging by 68% in the first half of 2025 [3]. However, China has vowed to hit back at the new "discriminatory" port fees imposed by the United States, which it believes will undermine the global supply chain [3].

The temporary suspension of press briefings is a strategic move by the Chinese government to prioritize its diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. The Foreign Ministry has emphasized the importance of high-quality development and building a closer SCO community with a shared future [1]. The pause in briefings will allow the government to focus on these initiatives and ensure a productive and united summit.

References:
[1] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/sco-members-in-talks-to-establish-comprehensive-centre-to-address-security-threats-china/articleshow/123026181.cms
[2] https://www.chinadailyasia.com/article/617044
[3] https://www.scmp.com/topics/china-shipbuilding?module=top_story&pgtype=homepage