China-US trade tensions eased significantly with the announcement of mutual tariff reductions to 10%, a dramatic shift following days of escalating rhetoric. The joint statement from Geneva talks established a 90-day "pause" in the trade war, with Trump indicating he may speak directly with Xi this week. Markets responded positively to this "better than expected" outcome.

State media maintained synchronized coverage of Xi's Moscow visit through identical headlines across outlets about "applauding shared history" and "letting victory's light illuminate humanity's new journey," continuing the narrative established during his attendance at Russia's WWII victory parade.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong authorities proposed a new mechanism allowing Beijing direct jurisdiction over national security cases, while barring three independent publishers from participating in the Hong Kong Book Fair, signaling further tightening of political control despite the justice chief's assurances that human rights would not be infringed.