China In 3 Minutes | August 11: Central bank devalues yuan; Typhoon Soudelor kills 17 in southeast China

Politics and policy

The Chinese government's vague online censorship policies, coupled with the threat of penalties, have forced large social media services to self-censor, granting them broad leeway in deciding what content to block. (The New York Times)   
 

Diplomacy

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has pledged to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in the three West African countries hardest hit by the Ebola outbreak. Yi wants to encourage firms to construct ports, roads, railways and help with water supply needs, according to a statement from the government of Guinea, where Wang ended his tour after visiting Sierra Leone and Liberia. (AP)
 

The Foreign Ministry said a series of official exchanges between China and the United States would take place this month and the next in preparation for President Xi Jinping’s state visit in September. (CCTV)
 

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s statement on Friday will include key words such as “apology” and “aggression”, according to sources. China and South Korea have repeatedly demanded that the Japanese leader formally apologise for the nation’s atrocities during the second world war. (China Daily)