At the open in China’s A-share market, the Shanghai Composite Index was down 0.64%, the Shenzhen Composite Index down 0.66% and the ChiNext Index down 1.11%. Oil and gas extraction, precious metals and steel led gains; PCB, MLCC and advanced packaging sectors retreated.

On July 21, 2026 the director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs urgently summoned the Philippine ambassador to China and lodged a stern protest over a deliberate Philippine provocation at Ren'ai Reef and an attack on China Coast Guard law‑enforcement personnel. China said Ren'ai Reef is part of China's Nansha (Spratly) Islands and Chinese territory, and that China Coast Guard operations in waters near the reef were lawful. Beijing accused a Philippine illegally grounded warship of launching two rubber boats that approached dangerously and struck China Coast Guard vessels, and said Philippine personnel maliciously harassed and attacked Chinese law‑enforcement officers, endangering their safety. China said the Philippines provoked the incident, distorted facts and maliciously hyped it; Beijing expressed strong dissatisfaction, demanded the Philippines immediately stop provocations and stop hyping the incident, and warned it will take measures to firmly defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said on the afternoon of the 21st that multiple power and seawater desalination plants were attacked by Iran on the 20th, triggering fires. The ministry said this marks the fourth consecutive day such facilities in the country have been struck and that response plans have been activated to safeguard stable electricity supply.