EUR/USD
1.15752
-0.029%
Gold
4390.81
-0.583%
Oil
84.018
-0.086%
USD/JPY
159.623
0.102%
GBP/USD
1.35299
-0.092%
GBP/JPY
215.972
0.018%
Real-time News
On August 18, 2026, Xiao Yuanqi, member of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of the State Financial Regulatory Commission (SFC), met with Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The two sides exchanged views on the latest developments in the financial industries of both places and on supporting Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its status as an international financial center. Xiao Yuanqi stated that the SFC supports mainland insurance funds participating in the interconnection between the mainland and Hong Kong financial markets and supports mainland insurance institutions investing in Hong Kong exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect.WHO official: (When asked about plans to reverse the Ebola outbreak within three months) It is possible if we have the resources.The Eurozones ZEW Economic Situation Index for August was -21.5, compared to -37.7 previously.On August 18th, the State Council issued a decision to amend the "Regulations on the Administration of Housing Provident Funds." The amendments include adding "to better meet diversified housing consumption needs" after "protecting the legitimate rights and interests of housing provident fund owners" in Article 1; amending Article 6 to read: "The deposit and loan interest rates for housing provident funds shall be determined by the State Council"; and amending the phrase "housing provident funds may be used to purchase treasury bonds" in the first paragraph of Article 28 to "housing provident funds may be used to purchase treasury bonds and policy bank bonds."On August 18, Premier Li Qiang signed a State Council decree promulgating the "Decision of the State Council on Amending the Regulations on the Administration of Housing Provident Funds," which will take effect on September 20, 2026. The amendments include strengthening risk prevention and control. The State Councils housing and urban-rural development department will determine public credit information in the housing provident fund sector, and housing provident fund management centers will establish comprehensive, complete, and accurate credit records, which will be included in the national credit information sharing platform. Clear legal responsibilities are stipulated for illegal withdrawals of housing provident funds or acquisition of housing provident fund loans through fraud, forgery of supporting documents, etc. The scope of the system will be expanded. It is clarified that self-employed individuals, part-time workers, and other flexibly employed individuals can voluntarily contribute to housing provident funds and enjoy corresponding policy support in accordance with regulations.
