Hong Kong stocks opened higher: HSI up 1.20%, Hang Seng Tech Index up 1.46%. Semiconductors, nonferrous metals and major internet tech names led gains. Zijin Gold International (02259.HK) rose over 4%.

Norwegian Coast Guard said the Norwegian Armed Forces and the coast guard did not participate in an operation to seize Russian vessels in Svalbard.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has issued the Artificial Intelligence Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Entrepreneurship Support Plan for 2026–2028. The plan, framed as market-led and government-guided, with an innovation-driven and environment-optimizing approach, calls for coordinating development and security while promoting AI startup activity and AI-enabled high-quality growth among SMEs. It directs measures to strengthen factor supply, firm incubation, ecosystem enablement and service guarantees, and to lower entry thresholds and trial-and-error costs in the AI sector. The policy aims to steer entrepreneurial activity toward technology- and innovation-oriented SMEs, specialized/refined/distinctive/innovative SMEs and specialized “little giant” firms.