With US-Iran peace talks stalled and regional security deteriorating, Kpler preliminary data show 7 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday versus 14 on Wednesday — 4 inbound, 3 outbound. No VLCCs or LNG carriers transited; one VLGC carrying propane and butane exited via an Iran-linked route.

China's Ministry of Finance said year-to-date it has allocated 187.5 bln yuan for consumer-goods trade-in subsidies, spurring about 1.32 tln yuan in related sales and benefiting 178 mln person-times.

On Aug 19, 2026 SFC chief executive Leung and senior officials met a delegation led by Hasan Fawzi, head of capital markets, derivatives and carbon trading regulation at Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK), and Jeffrey Hendrik, chairman of the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Talks concentrated on strengthening mutual understanding, supporting robust regulatory reform and exploring cooperation opportunities. The SFC and the delegation also held a technical session in which Hong Kong shared measures to enhance market transparency and investor confidence.