China's foreign minister will visit South Korea and Indonesia from Aug. 19-22, the foreign ministry said. In Indonesia he will chair the inaugural China-Indonesia comprehensive strategic dialogue and, with defense minister Dong Jun, co-attend the second ministerial-level 2+2 meeting of foreign and defense ministers.

China A-share semiconductor sector widened losses; Tongfu Microelectronics and Yake Technology hit limit-down. Chaochun Yingcai plunged more than 15%. Goke Microelectronics, Shengong Co., Chipone Microelectronics, Xinyuan, Shengmei (Shanghai), Changguang Huaxin, Zhongke Lanxun, Liandong Technology, Yongxi Electronics, Jiehuate, Qizhong Technology, Hua Hong Hongli, Shengke Communications, Jingyi Equipment, Dapu Micro and Torrens each slid over 10%.

At the mid-session close in China, most-active domestic futures were higher. Fuel oil led gains, up more than 6%; coking coal rose over 3%; starch and methanol were nearly 3% higher; asphalt, synthetic rubber, coke and corn each climbed over 2%. On the downside, Shanghai silver fell more than 4%; lithium carbonate dropped over 3%; platinum and palladium were about 3% lower.