China news round-up: China slams US Senate resolution, whistle-blower Zhou Lubao detained

Politics
Caixin
Guangdong People's Congress report shows industrial use of electricity fell in first five months of year, even as province says GDP expansion was strong.
Asahi Shinbum
Former Party leader Zhao Ziyang's influence on the Politburo Standing Committee's composition. 
Qiushi*
Fan Changlong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, reiterates nationalising the PLA is a mistake.
Ming Pao*
Former President Jiang Zemin arrives in Beidaihe for leadership summer retreat.

Society
The Economist
Video: Reformers are working quietly to lower the number of executions.
Wall Street Journal
In China, people are flocking to theaters - a sign of how Chinese consumers are willing to spend more on entertainment. 
Southern Metropolis Daily*
Citizen journalist Zhou Lubao has been taken away in Beijing by Jiangsu police. 
The Independent
Conservancy group says architect Zaha Hadid is destroying Beijing's old town with her futuristic swirling shopping centre Galaxy Soho.

Economy
Reuters
Activity picks up at big China factories, smaller firms struggle.
Financial Times
Jump in numbers of hawkers has been blamed on rising unemployment.
Caijing
The big four banks have extended 196 billion yuan of new loans in the month as of July 28th, compared with 270 billion yuan in June.
Wall Street Journal – China Real Time Report
Alibaba bans sellers from using WeChat.

Foreign affairs
Jiji Press
Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso retracted his remark suggesting Japan take a lesson from the Nazis on how to achieve constitutional amendments.
China Post
Taiwan eyes substitute laborers from Myanmar, Sri Lanka amid Philippines freeze.
Reuters
China condemns US Senate over sea dispute resolution.
Yonhap News
North Korean elder statesman Kim Yong-nam stopped in Beijing for talks on Thursday, en route to Iran.

* denotes articles in Chinese language.