YONHAP, citing Statistics Korea, reported South Korea's online shopping sales rose about 10% YoY in June to 24.6 trillion won (~$17bn), an increase of 2.3 trillion won from a year earlier. Mobile device sales more than doubled to 892.4 billion won, aided by Samsung promotions. Spending on automobiles and related products surged 56.8% YoY to 1.19 trillion won, driven by strong Tesla EV sales.

Most-active polysilicon futures contract rose 8.00% intraday to 35,565 yuan/ton.

The PBOC held its H2 2026 work meeting, instructing a steady deepening of financial reform and opening-up. It said it will actively but prudently expand central-bank currency swap lines and local‑currency settlement cooperation; support and ease foreign institutions’ participation in panda bond issuance; coordinate offshore RMB market development, support Shanghai in boosting cross‑border and offshore financial services and consolidate Hong Kong’s offshore RMB hub role; deepen facilitation of cross‑border trade and investment financing; advance the Cross‑Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS) and international cooperation on cross‑border payments; and enhance cross‑border infrastructure for the digital RMB.