DESTATIS said on Thursday German exports fell 0.8% m/m in August to €137.6bn (~$154.1bn), after a 0.5% decline in July. Imports rose 0.9% m/m, narrowing the trade surplus to €19.5bn. The data signal persistent weakness in external demand and reduce the likelihood that net trade will support German GDP this year.

China's National Day holiday travel was estimated at 2.144 bln cross‑regional passenger trips, averaging 306 mln per day, up 0.7% YoY, the Ministry of Transport said. Rail passenger traffic was 152.36 mln trips, +13.1% YoY. Road movements were 1.964 bln trips, -0.2% YoY. Civil aviation carried 16.95 mln passengers, broadly unchanged YoY. Waterway passenger traffic was 10.99 mln, +7.8% YoY.

Demand at Japan's 30-year government bond auction exceeded the 12-month average, with a bid-to-cover ratio of 3.88 versus 3.79 at the prior auction and a 12-month average of 3.56. Higher yields drew buyers and JGBs were largely steady after the sale. Global bond markets remain under pressure amid inf worries tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict and concerns over worsening sovereign finances; 30-year JGB yields this week hit their highest level since issuance. Tuesday's 10-year JGB auction also saw solid demand, with high yields supporting bids. U.S. long-end yield gains narrowed on Wednesday after a 10-year Treasury auction showed investor buying at multi-decade high rate levels.