Politics and policy

Police have arrested 12 suspects involved in massive blasts in Tianjin which killed 139 and devastated the port area, the Ministry of Public Security said today. They include the chairman, vice-chairman and three deputy general managers of the Tianjin International Ruihai Logistics which ran the chemical warehouse which triggered the explosions. (Xinhua)
 

Sales of the book have exceeded 5.2 million copies around the world, according to its publisher, the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration. The book features the president's past remarks and is published in nine languages.

Diplomacy

The White House said President Barack Obama would "no doubt" raise concerns about China's cybersecurity behavior when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit next month. (Reuters)
 

Economy and business

The State Council, China's cabinet, on Wednesday mapped out new measures to accelerate the development of financial leasing in high-end equipment imports, clean energy, people's livelihood and small enterprises to better serve the real economy. (CCTV)
 

Technology

Chinese telecoms equipment maker ZTE posted a 43 per cent rise in first-half net profit to 1.6 billion yuan (HK$19.3 billion) as the growth of 4G in China and improving margins in its global equipment business offset weaker smartphone sales at home. The telecoms standard 4G, or fourth-generation, allows much faster speeds for wireless internet. (Reuters)
 

Society

The 12 residential buildings worst hit in the Tianjin chemical warehouse explosions on August 12 are structurally safe, local authorities said in a post-inspection report released on Wednesday.