Japan's Nikkei 225 index breached 65,000, up 1.80% intraday.

Xpeng Inc (XPEV.N) rose 4% after Refinitiv reported it plans to offer technology solutions to foreign automakers beyond Volkswagen.

China's Foreign Ministry said on Sept 18 that a Philippine government vessel deliberately rammed a Chinese coast guard ship near Xianbin Reef in the Spratly Islands, seriously endangering Chinese personnel and vessels and breaching international law and basic norms of international relations. China urged the Philippines to immediately stop maritime provocations and spreading false narratives and said it will firmly defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights while upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea.