Real-time News

March 26 – On March 25, the WTO Ministerial Conference on the Investment Facilitation Agreement was held in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao attended and delivered a speech. WTO Director-General Iweala, ministers or high-level officials from member countries including South Korea, Chile, Gambia, and Cambodia also spoke. Ambassador Li Yongzhe, China's Permanent Mission to the WTO, participated. Wang Wentao stated that China will continue to support technical assistance and capacity building under the framework of the Investment Facilitation Agreement and is willing to work with all parties to uphold the principles of openness, inclusiveness, mutual benefit, balance, and win-win cooperation, adhere to multilateralism, promote the early entry into force and implementation of the Investment Facilitation Agreement, promote global open cooperation, and ensure that the fruits of development benefit more countries and people.

Bank of England Deputy Governor Briden: The UK government bond market has been functioning normally, and there is no evidence of forced selling.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer: Putin is secretly pleased with the Middle East wars because he believes rising oil prices will enrich him. I will always defend British interests at home and abroad, which is why we are taking action against Russia's "shadow convoy" today.

Bank of England Deputy Governor Briden: It is “unwise” to take interest rate action before having sufficient information.

Bank of England Deputy Governor Briden: Benchmark interest rates are tightening and labor slack is increasing.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Novak: Russia has begun selling some oil at a premium.

Bank of England Deputy Governor Briden: The situation we are in now is very different from the last energy shock in 2022.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Novak: Russia has the ability to adjust the flow of its oil exports.

March 26th - On March 26th, a groundbreaking ceremony for the Sutong Second Yangtze River Crossing was held in Nantong, Jiangsu Province. As a strategic project to promote higher-quality integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, the Sutong Second Yangtze River Crossing project starts at the Xiaohai Interchange, where the Shenhai Expressway and the Shanghai-Shaanxi Expressway intersect, crosses the Yangtze River southward, and terminates at National Highway 204, with a total length of 42.951 kilometers. Upon completion, this project will work in conjunction with the Sutong, Husutong, Zhangjinggao, and Haitai Yangtze River Crossings to significantly alleviate traffic pressure on existing bridges. It will be of great significance for improving the layout of the Yangtze River trunk line, promoting integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, and fostering the integration of urban areas.

Israeli Defense Minister: Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy Commander killed.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister: The US 15-point plan is being reviewed by Iran.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry: The suspension of military operations in Afghanistan has ended, but operations are still ongoing.

Market news: The US inflation rate is projected to be 4.2% in 2026 and 1.6% in 2027.

OECD: Forecasts US growth of 2% in 2026 and 1.7% in 2027.

OECD: The European Central Bank's key interest rate is expected to be raised slightly in the second quarter.

OECD: The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates unchanged in 2026 and cut rates in early 2027.

OECD: Maintains global economic growth forecast of 2.9% for 2026.

On March 26, China Resources Beverages (02460.HK) announced that in 2025, the Group recorded revenue of RMB 11.002 billion, a decrease of 18.6% compared to RMB 13.521 billion in 2024. This was mainly due to a decrease in bottled water sales, increased investment in marketing resources, and changes in product structure. The Group's profit for the year decreased by 39.3% from RMB 1.661 billion in 2024 to RMB 1.009 billion in 2025, while the Group's net profit margin decreased from 12.3% in 2024 to 9.2% in 2025.

The UK government has added 10 new sanctions to the global human rights sanctions mechanism.