SOUTH KOREA'S LEE: MODI PROMISED TO VISIT SOUTH KOREA NO LATER THAN NEXT YEAR

China & Hong Kong - Hong Kong to announce a new batch of key enterprises for strategic introduction - 2026 China Internet Development Symposium held in Beijing - DeepSeek launches first external fundraising? A source from a major state-backed equity institution says the news is likely true, but access is currently unavailable Geopolitics & Iran Conflict - Iran Deputy Foreign Minister: will never hand over enriched uranium to the United States - Temporary ceasefire expires Wednesday: Trump says US and Iran will hold talks on the 20th in Islamabad; the White House says JD Vance will attend - Iranian media: Iran rejects participation in a second round of talks with the US; reports of “second talks” are untrue, outlook uncertain - No vessels recorded transiting the Strait of Hormuz on the 19th - Trump says US forces intercepted and took control of an Iranian cargo ship; Iran’s military says the move violates the ceasefire and vows retaliation, having launched drone attacks on US naval forces - Iran plans to introduce a Strait of Hormuz management law banning Israel-linked vessels from transiting - Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz since the evening of the 18th, until the US blockade is lifted Energy & Commodities - US Energy Secretary: gasoline prices may not fall below $3 per gallon until next year - US Department of Energy to release a third batch of strategic petroleum reserves US Policy - White House extends controversial surveillance program to April 30

China’s silver imports surged to a record 836 tons in March, far above the 10-year average of about 306 tons, driven by strong retail investment and robust demand from the solar sector. Investors turned to silver bars as a cheaper alternative to gold, while manufacturers front-loaded production ahead of tax rebate changes. Elevated domestic prices created arbitrage opportunities, drawing global inflows via Hong Kong. However, analysts expect imports to normalize, citing no long-term supply-demand imbalance.