CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY, ON EU SANCTIONS ON CHINESE, IRANIAN FIRMS OVER CYBERATTACKS: OPPOSES SANCTIONS, URGES EU TO CORRECT WRONGDOINGS

Domestic News 1. Ministry of Finance: A more proactive fiscal policy will continue to be implemented in 2026. 2. National Energy Administration: Total electricity consumption increased by 6.1% year-on-year in January-February 2026. 3. National Development and Reform Commission launches a new batch of major foreign investment projects with a planned investment of US$13.4 billion. 4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The US has clarified that Trump's visit to China is unrelated to the Strait of Hormuz navigation issue. International News 1. "Federal Reserve mouthpiece": The Federal Reserve tends to remain silent this week, with recent shocks being a two-way factor. 2. Reserve Bank of Australia narrowly approved a 25 basis point interest rate hike, warning of upward inflation risks. 3. Energy Situation—① White House economic advisor: Oil tankers "have begun sporadic passage" through the Strait of Hormuz. ② Iran launches its first attack on upstream oil and gas facilities in the UAE. ③ Iraq resumes oil exports to Turkey's Ceyhan port starting Wednesday. ④ US government plans to ease sanctions on Venezuela to cope with soaring oil prices. ⑤ Iraq is negotiating with Iran, hoping to allow oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. 4. Situation in Iran— ① The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Larijani, and the leader of the Basij militia have died. Iran has designated several replacements for key national positions. ② Iran's Supreme Leader rejected a peace proposal with the United States, insisting on defeating the US and Israel and demanding reparations. ③ The director of the US National Counterterrorism Center resigned, stating that he could not support the war against Iran against his conscience. ④ Ukraine has sent more than 200 counter-drone experts to the Middle East. ⑤ Trump: We are not ready to end the conflict yet, but "we will be leaving in the near future." ⑥ Invitation to allies to participate in escort missions was met with a cold reception. Trump stated: The US no longer needs them and is considering withdrawing from NATO. Starmer is not Churchill, and Macron will soon step down.

Hong Kong’s financial sector faces mounting regulatory pressure, threatening a slowdown in its booming IPO market. Beijing is restricting certain offshore-incorporated Chinese firms from listing, challenging a decades-old fundraising model. Banks are reassessing strategies, with some slowing activity as caution replaces prior optimism. Authorities intensified oversight with the largest raids in nearly a decade, including eight arrests for insider trading and bribery. Industry leaders warn banks must be selective, shifting from a volume-driven approach. The crackdown highlights heightened scrutiny, with global firms adjusting to stricter rules and a more challenging environment for Hong Kong’s role as Asia’s top fundraising hub.