China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has called for accelerating the intelligent upgrade of information and communication networks and the broader industry, advocating for moderately forward-looking and systematic construction of next-generation communication networks. This strategic push aims to enhance network capabilities and integrate advanced technologies to support future economic growth.

The People's Bank of China announced it will conduct overnight reverse repurchase operations over four consecutive working days, with each daily operation capped at 1 trillion yuan. These operations, using a fixed interest rate and quantity bidding mechanism, are designed to manage short-term liquidity in the banking system.

During the United Nations General Assembly, Iran and the United States held indirect talks mediated by Qatar, where Tehran reiterated its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. These conditions include a permanent halt to US military actions against Iran and its regional allies, lifting maritime blockades and all sanctions, and the return of frozen assets with compensation.

On September 24, 2026, the People's Bank of China will conduct an 800-billion-yuan Medium-term Lending Facility operation with a one-year term, using fixed quantity, interest rate bidding, and multiple-price allocation methods.

The central bank will also carry out overnight reverse repurchase operations from September 28 to October 8, adopting a fixed interest rate and quantity bidding approach, with daily operation volumes not exceeding 1 trillion yuan.

Minister of Civil Affairs Li Changguan stated on September 23 at a State Council Information Office press conference on the 15th Five-Year Plan period that efforts will focus on revising the Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of the Elderly, improving the safeguard system to enhance elderly welfare. Additionally, a new law on elderly care services will be drafted to establish a tiered, universally accessible, sustainable system covering both urban and rural areas.

Three departments, including the Ministry of Commerce, jointly released the 2025 Statistical Bulletin on China's Outward Foreign Direct Investment. China's outbound direct investment maintained a leading global position, showing diversified investment trends. In 2025, China's outward FDI flows reached $213.58 billion, up 11.1% year-on-year, with a total stock of $3.4 trillion, ranking among the top three globally for nine consecutive years and accounting for 7.4% of global investment.

The China Academy of Information and Communications Technology published the Global Digital Trade and Economic Rules Annual Observation Report 2026. Trade in AI-related products and services is booming, with global AI-related product trade reaching $4.18 trillion in 2025, up 21.9% year-on-year, contributing 42% of global trade growth. However, new risks such as data security and technological sovereignty from model training and API calls are creating governance lags and fragmentation issues.

Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Yu Xiaohui said at the opening of the 2026 China International Information and Communication Exhibition that the industry should actively promote the integration and innovation of AI with information and communication technologies, proactively assess and respond to AI's transformative impact, and accelerate the intelligent upgrade of networks and the sector. Yu emphasized the need to follow application-driven, moderately forward-looking, and systematic approaches to build next-generation networks, advance low-orbit satellite internet systems, optimize international terrestrial and submarine network layouts, expand computing infrastructure capacity, and strengthen network-computing collaboration.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently issued the Management Measures for the Construction of Innovative Industrial Clusters, which require that cluster development align closely with national key industry directions, adapt to local conditions, foster deep integration of scientific and technological innovation with industrial innovation, enhance innovation capabilities, and build a new pattern of cluster development featuring innovation-led, complementary, and diversified integration.

At 21:32 on September 23, China successfully launched 26 low-orbit satellite internet satellites using a Long March 8A rocket from the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site. The satellites entered their preset orbits, marking a complete success for the mission.

The Ministry of Public Security, National Health Commission, and National Medical Products Administration issued a joint announcement to include all opiate-like substances in the Catalog of Non-Medicinal Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, in accordance with relevant regulations on narcotic drug management.

At the 2026 Space Information and Satellite Internet Innovation and Development Conference on September 23, the China Space Information and Satellite Internet Innovation Alliance released ten major innovative application scenarios for satellite internet and Beidou deep integration. These include natural disaster monitoring and early warning, smart forestry and ecological security, remote construction operations, unmanned equipment applications, polar scientific research and marine surveys, marine fisheries and traffic, marine engineering and operations, civil aviation applications, low-altitude applications, and space-based data transmission.

According to cybersecurity authorities in China, to promote the innovative development and standardized application of generative AI services, the Cyberspace Administration, in conjunction with relevant departments, is conducting filing procedures under the Interim Measures for the Management of Generative AI Services. Three new mobile on-device generative AI services, including "YOYO Claw," have been added to the filing information list.

On September 23, the A-share real estate sector showed intraday volatility, with multiple stocks hitting the daily limit. Market speculation suggested a potential nationwide interest subsidy policy with maximum support of 100 basis points to lower first-home mortgage rates to 2%. However, several securities analysts covering the real estate sector believe the likelihood of such a nationwide policy is low.

Sidike announced that its board approved a plan for wholly-owned subsidiary Jiangsu Xingyuantai New Materials Technology to invest 1.652 billion yuan in constructing an annual production expansion project for 103,000 tons of high-end functional BOPET base film. Located in Suhong, Jiangsu, the project will use self-owned and self-raised funds. It will mass-produce MLCC release film base film and polarizer release film base film among other high-end BOPET substrates, targeting downstream sectors including microelectronics MLCC manufacturing, special optical devices, precision PCB circuits, smart terminal protection, automotive and building energy-saving window films, and industrial precision protection.

Xingyun Technology announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Changsha Xiangshuyun Technology signed a computing power resource lease service contract with a VE customer. Xiangshuyun will provide computing services over a five-year term with a total contract value of 872 million yuan including tax. Revenue will be recognized in installments over the long performance period, with risks including potential default or deterioration in either party's financial condition. Server procurement for this contract has been completed and is under acceptance inspection, with delivery to the VE customer expected by September 30, 2026. If executed smoothly, the contract is expected to positively impact future operating results.

Yibo Technology announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Zhuhai Yibo Electronics plans to invest in a second-phase PCB plant project. The primary investment covers production equipment, with total new investment approved at no more than 800 million yuan based on current capacity planning. The second phase will focus on mid-to-high-end PCB products for medium-to-large batch production, serving customers in high-value-added sectors. Together, phases one and two will cover most target customers' needs from R&D to large-scale PCB production.

Huaqin Technology stated on its interactive platform that with full-stack advantages and leading R&D capabilities, it is one of the few industry players capable of independently designing both computing nodes and network nodes, establishing a first-mover advantage in super-node products. Current clients for these products are mainly leading domestic cloud service providers. First shipments were delivered in the second quarter, followed by rapid volume growth in the third quarter, with continued ramp-up expected in the fourth quarter.

Defu Technology announced that its directors and senior executives Luo Jia, Jin Rongtao, Song Tiefeng, Wu Danni, along with shareholders Jiujiang Defu Investment Management Center and Jiujiang Economic Development Zone Amber Management Center, plan to reduce their holdings by up to 5.0272 million shares, or 0.80% of total shares, through centralized bidding within three months starting 15 trading days after the announcement date.

Dongnan Wangjia announced plans to use its subsidiary Shanghai Dongnan Haoxue Culture and Sports Development as the main entity to invest in the Shanghai Songjiang Ice and Snow Sports Complex Project. The total investment is estimated at approximately 3 billion yuan. Positioned as world-class and domestically leading, the snow slope design adheres to international ski federation certification standards. Once completed, it will become the preferred international-level event venue in Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta, filling the gap for ice and snow event venues in Shanghai.

Nanwei Software issued a notice on abnormal stock trading fluctuations, noting high market attention to AI applications. The company's government AI agents and WellWork agent platform businesses are still in early market development stages, with no revenue generated as of the first half of 2026. Future revenue remains uncertain, and the impact on company performance is expected to be minimal.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei stated on September 23 that during the general debate of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on September 22, Iran held talks with the US through Qatar as mediator, conveying conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. These conditions include the US must permanently cease military operations against Iran and its regional allies, lift maritime blockades and all sanctions, return frozen Iranian assets, and pay compensation for damages, among other demands.

Yemen's Houthi group said on September 23 that despite ongoing fighting near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key waterway connecting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, more than 400 merchant ships have passed through the strategic route in recent times.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry on September 23, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov met with US Secretary of State Rubio in New York, stating that discussions on Russia-US economic cooperation prospects, cultural exchanges, and facilitating travel are becoming more active. Lavrov stressed the need to "repair bilateral relations" as soon as possible based on agreements reached by the two presidents.

A report released on September 23 shows that surging international diesel prices have significantly increased the cost of operating diesel vehicles in Europe. The report calls for accelerating the transition of European vehicles from oil to electricity. The European Federation for Transport and Environment noted in its report that nearly 40% of all passenger cars in Europe run on diesel, making Europe the region most affected by high diesel prices. Currently, European diesel prices are up more than 40% from the start of the year, significantly outpacing gasoline's 28% increase. Diesel car owners collectively face an additional daily cost of 203 million euros, with diesel truck operators seeing an average weekly fuel cost increase of 236 euros.

The Asian Development Bank released a supplement to its 2026 Asian Development Outlook on September 23, upgrading the economic growth forecast for developing Asia-Pacific economies to 5% from the 4.9% estimated in July.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development released its latest economic outlook report on September 23, upgrading the 2026 global economic growth forecast to 2.9% from the 2.8% estimated in June.

Due to sharply rising fuel prices, the French government announced on September 22 a package of aid measures totaling 450 million euros, expanding subsidies for high-mileage drivers and extending certain industry assistance through the end of this year.

South Africa's central bank voted unanimously at its September monetary policy meeting to raise its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 7.25%, marking the second rate hike of the year and in line with market expectations.

Editor: Hu Chenxi