★ Macro Developments ★ China’s State Council issued guidelines to combat cross-border tobacco-related illegal activities, targeting counterfeit production, smuggling, and sales. Measures include enhanced international law enforcement cooperation, maritime anti-smuggling operations, and stricter oversight of cross-border transport and e-commerce channels.
China’s Commerce Ministry approved some rare-earth export license applications, with exporters meeting compliance requirements after policy briefings.
South Korea plans to incubate 10,000 AI and hard-tech startups over five years, aiming to create 50 unicorns and tap into a global venture capital market worth ~40 trillion won ($30.4 billion).
★ Financial Institutions ★ **CICC** announced a semi-annual cash dividend of RMB 434 million (RMB 0.09/share) for 2025, with ex-dividend date set for Dec 29.
Morgan Stanley forecasts semiconductor stocks, led by Nvidia, Broadcom, and Astera Labs, to remain top performers in 2026, citing sustained AI-driven demand.
★ Market Data ★ China’s ChiNext Index fell 2.17%, while the Shanghai Composite edged up 0.16%. Commercial aerospace, retail, and healthcare sectors gained, while lithium battery stocks declined.
U.S. investors poured $2.3 billion into the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (KWEB) and $2.1 billion into the Invesco China Technology ETF (CQQQ) YTD.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.12%, with Shanghai Fudan up 7% and China Tourism Group Duty Free down 5%.
★ Corporate Updates ★ **Sichuan Road & Bridge** (600039) reported a 5% stake acquisition by China Post Insurance via secondary market purchases, with no change in controlling shareholder.
**Haitian Flavouring** (603288) pledged an 80%+ annual dividend payout ratio from 2025–2027 and proposed a special 2025 dividend of RMB 0.30/share.
Sony’s Huizhou plant was sold to Japan’s RS Technologies in late 2024, per industry sources.
**AMEC** (688012) halted trading for up to 10 days to plan a stake purchase in Hangzhou Zhonggui Electronics.
**Shandong Hi-Speed** (600350) plans a RMB 690 million impairment on its Dongxing Securities investment, reducing 2025 profit.