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Real-time News
On September 18th, the State Council Information Office held a press conference on the theme of "Starting the 15th Five-Year Plan." Zhang Qiang, Director of the Urban Management Supervision Bureau of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, stated at the conference that high-quality urban renewal cannot be achieved without policy and mechanism guarantees. We will focus on establishing and improving four mechanisms: First, an integrated mechanism for urban health checks and urban renewal, focusing on the problems identified during the health checks. Second, an urban renewal planning and implementation mechanism, establishing an implementation system from special planning to area planning and project implementation. Third, a sustainable urban renewal investment and financing mechanism, increasing government investment while better leveraging market forces. Fourth, a mechanism for the organic integration of urban renewal and historical and cultural preservation, ensuring that historical culture and modern life complement each other. Simultaneously, we will accelerate the legislation on urban renewal and improve the standards system to solidify the institutional support for high-quality urban renewal.On September 18th, EFG International economist Sam Jochim stated in a commentary that with underlying inflation approaching 2%, the Bank of Japan (BOJ) is expected to raise interest rates approximately every three months. He believes the next rate adjustment will be a hike, and the tightening cycle will continue until interest rates reach what the BOJ considers a neutral level. He pointed out that the BOJ estimates the neutral level corresponds to a final policy rate of approximately 1.75% to 2.00%, a level that could be reached in 2027. However, the economist warned that any signs of slowing economic growth could hinder the pace of rate hikes.According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs, in August 2026, China exported 6 million tons of steel plates, a year-on-year increase of 6.6%; cumulative exports from January to August reached 44.26 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 7.9%. In August, China exported 1.93 million tons of steel bars, a year-on-year increase of 18.1%; cumulative exports from January to August reached 13.86 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 13.1%.On September 18th, it was learned from the National Bureau of Data Science that the China-ASEAN Data Cooperation Professional Committee of the World Data Organization (WDC) was established on September 17th in Nanning, Guangxi. The WDC, headquartered in Beijing, is the worlds first professional international organization dedicated to promoting data development and governance practices. Its newly established China-ASEAN Data Cooperation Professional Committee focuses on cross-border data flows, inclusive intelligent computing power, joint development of rules and standards, member ecosystem building, and industrial cluster development within ASEAN, aiming to bridge the data gap, unlock the value of data, and promote the prosperity of the digital economy. The National Bureau of Data Science stated that it will actively participate in global data governance and support the WDC in fully leveraging the professional advantages of its members in global regions and industries to pragmatically promote international data cooperation in specific sectors.On September 18th, State Street Global Advisors stated that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) is likely to adopt a cautious approach after raising its policy rate to 1.25%. Economist Krishna Bhimavarapu noted that while policy adjustments are possible at every policy meeting, Governor Kazuo Ueda may avoid explicitly committing to further rate hikes given weak household consumption and relatively moderate inflation. Strategist Masahiko Loo expects Ueda to maintain a neutral-to-hawkish stance; he pointed out that resilient economic growth, persistent inflation risks, and accommodative real policy rates all support further policy normalization. The current focus of discussion is shifting from whether the BOJ will raise rates again to what level interest rates will ultimately rise to.
