Shanghai Composite turned positive; Shenzhen Composite Index losses narrowed to 0.23% and ChiNext Index losses to 1.12%. Baijiu and banking sectors led gains.

On the 18th local time, Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi forces continued reciprocal attacks. A Saudi landmark ordered all staff to work remotely after the escalation. The Houthis said Saudi forces carried out about 110 air raids and missile strikes in the past 24 hours against Sanaa, Taiz and Saada provinces, causing casualties; they said an airstrike on a residence in Saada killed at least nine. Saudi civil defence said Najran was hit by a Houthi projectile that landed in a residential area, injuring people and damaging vehicles and buildings.

Russian Defence Ministry said Russian forces struck military-industrial facilities, cruise missile storage sites and data centers in Ukraine.