Japan's 10-year government bond yield rose 2.5 bps to 2.945%, its highest level since September 1996.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian held a regular briefing on Aug. 18. Asked about Palau president Whipps urging Pacific islands to form a "unified stance" over China's recent missile tests and saying China wanted to show "it could destroy any one of your islands," and questioning why China test-fired nuclear-capable missiles near Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands rather than in open waters between China and the US, Lin said China has already explained its position on the tests and called Palau's remarks baseless, malicious and unworthy of comment.

美、布两油短线一度走高近0.8美元，现报81.81美元/桶和87.50美元/桶。