US Navy-led Combined Maritime Information Center says humanitarian aid shipments will be permitted to transit but will be subject to inspection.

China A-share biologics sector slid intraday; Oulin Bio fell more than 8%, while Wanze Co., Sihuan Biotech, Jindik and Shenzhou Cell also traded lower.

Sources told Refinitiv the Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) has no plan to change its target asset allocation but may, within existing permitted ranges, shift more funds into Japanese assets as the government studies options. Japan's finance minister Katayama last Friday said the government will seek to encourage pension funds, including GPIF, to substantially increase investment in Japanese financial assets; the remarks lifted the yen and JGBs. GPIF managed ¥293.6 tln (about $1.81 tln) as of March. Officials said any increase would be implemented within the current benchmark limits and would not immediately alter GPIF's medium-term targets; GPIF is legally required to invest solely in beneficiaries' interests and cannot deploy assets to advance government policy. Under its current strategic plan, GPIF allocates 25% each to domestic bonds, overseas bonds, domestic equities and overseas equities.