The State Council Information Office will hold a “Kickoff of the 15th Five-Year Plan” themed press briefing on Sept 18 at 10:00. Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development spokesperson and vice minister Chen Shaowang will outline plans to advance high-quality development in housing and urban-rural construction during the 15th Five-Year Plan period and take reporter questions.

Rania al‑Mashat, executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), said a US‑Iran war cost Arab economies roughly $150 bln in its first month, about 4% of regional GDP. She warned threats to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al‑Mandeb are affecting trade, economic stability and access to essential goods; about 25% of seaborne oil trade and 19% of LNG trade transit the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf states are also major exporters of ammonia, fertilizer, sulfur and aluminum. Al‑Mashat said the conflict could delay investment and economic diversification across the Arab world and called for measures to prevent escalation, protect freedom of navigation and strengthen regional preparedness for further disruptions to supplies and services.

KYODO reports Kansai Electric Power manually shut down one reactor at the Mihama nuclear power plant.