The Strategic Political and Defense Committee set up under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement between Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will hold its inaugural meeting today in Istanbul. Ahead of the meeting, Turkey’s defense minister met Pakistan’s defense minister; Turkey’s chief of general staff attended.

Hong Kong-listed mainland bank shares rose in early trade: Postal Savings Bank (01658.HK) up over 5%, Bank of China (03988.HK) up nearly 3%, with China Construction Bank (00939.HK), Bank of China Hong Kong (02388.HK), Agricultural Bank of China (01288.HK) and Bank of Communications (03328.HK) also higher. China Construction Bank earlier reported interim net profit attributable to the parent of 169.564 bln yuan, up 4.62% YoY.

中国上证综指8月31日（周一）收盘上涨34.12点，涨幅：0.86%，报3986.3点； 中国深证成指8月31日（周一）收盘上涨61.93点，涨幅：0.44%，报14015点； 中国沪深300指数8月31日（周一）收盘上涨15.91点，涨幅：0.35%，报4625.09点； 中国创业板指数8月31日（周一）收盘上涨14.28点，涨幅：0.42%，报3438.68点； 中国科创50指数8月31日（周一）收盘上涨22.24点，涨幅：1.34%，报1684.39点。