China Business Daily

18 September 2026 · 07:29 CST · Daily intelligence brief

This edition draws on 43 reports across 12 Chinese outlets.

At a Glance

  • China’s electronic information manufacturing sector reported 17.4 trillion yuan in 2025 revenue, up 7.4% year on year, and ranked first among 41 major industrial categories for 13 straight years. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • The U.S. Federal Reserve raised rates by 25 basis points, its first hike in nearly three years. 21jingji.com, 2026-09-17.
  • In 2026, China’s national carbon market includes 3,680 key emitting entities, covering about 8.3 billion tonnes of CO2, more than 65% of the national total. People’s Daily, 2026-09-18.

Top Stories

Policy

  • China issues 15th Five-Year Plan for electronic information manufacturing · covered by 7 outlets
  • The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT; China’s industrial ministry) and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC; China’s macro-planning agency) jointly issued the “15th Five-Year Plan” for the Development of the Electronic Information Manufacturing Industry, according to MIIT and NDRC. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • The plan proposes that by 2030 the operating revenue of above-scale electronic information manufacturing enterprises exceed 30 trillion yuan, according to MIIT and NDRC. National Business Daily, 2026-09-16.
  • The plan sets an industrial R&D investment intensity target of 3.5%, according to MIIT and NDRC. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.

  • The plan deploys 17 key tasks across four aspects: building the foundation, improving quality, nurturing new growth, and governance, according to MIIT and NDRC. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.

  • China’s financial product online marketing rules near implementation as top platforms accelerate self-audits · covered by 2 outlets

  • Eight departments including the central bank, the banking regulator and the securities regulator issued the Administrative Measures for Online Marketing of Financial Products, which takes effect on September 30, according to the eight departments. National Business Daily, 2026-09-18.
  • Tencent (腾讯; a Chinese technology conglomerate) launched an all-domain inspection of financial advertisements, focusing on four types of problems: disguised financial marketing, incomplete disclosure, improper wording and unlicensed marketing, according to Tencent. Eastmoney.
  • Douyin (抖音; a Chinese short-video platform) recently carried out a special campaign against marketing that promotes illegal cross-border account-opening services and other illegal cross-border financial business, and disposed of related violating content, according to Douyin. Eastmoney.
  • Xiaohongshu (a Chinese social-commerce platform) disclosed that over the past year it averaged nearly 2 million financial-related posts published monthly and about 12 million comments monthly, according to Xiaohongshu. Eastmoney.

Company

  • Futu’s US prediction market tops 200 million contracts in its first month · covered by 1 outlet
  • Futu Holdings (富途控股; a Hong Kong-based online brokerage) launched US prediction market trading in June. Economic Observer, 2026-09-18.

  • In its first month, US prediction market event contract volume exceeded 200 million contracts. Economic Observer, 2026-09-18.

  • CATL cuts its stake in battery materials maker Hunan Yuneng below 5% · covered by 3 outlets

  • CATL (宁德时代; a Chinese EV battery maker) sold 17.4597 million shares of Hunan Yuneng (湖南裕能; a Chinese battery materials maker) between June 26 and September 16, 2026, reducing its stake to 4.99999%, according to Hunan Yuneng. Securities Times.
  • In the first half of 2026, Hunan Yuneng posted revenue of 34.877 billion yuan, up 142.92% year on year, and net profit attributable to shareholders of 2.910 billion yuan, up 853.51%, according to Hunan Yuneng. Securities Times.

  • Since 2020, Hunan Yuneng’s phosphate cathode material shipments have ranked first globally for six consecutive years, according to Hunan Yuneng. Securities Times.

  • Sanofi to swap assets for equity to refocus on core pipeline · covered by 1 outlet

  • Sanofi plans to cooperate with Cheplapharm (a German pharmaceutical company) to transfer 20 drugs and 3 production sites in exchange for 26.4% equity, according to Sanofi. Economic Observer, 2026-09-18.

  • This is another move by the new CEO after taking office to focus on the core pipeline, according to Sanofi. Economic Observer, 2026-09-18.

  • Cathay Pacific advances HK$100 billion-scale investment plan with 150 new aircraft · covered by 1 outlet

  • Cathay Pacific (国泰航空; a Hong Kong airline) is advancing a hundred-billion-HKD-scale investment plan and will gradually renew and expand its fleet. Economic Observer, 2026-09-18.

  • Over the next ten years the airline will introduce 150 new aircraft, of which 100 have already been ordered. Economic Observer, 2026-09-18.

  • Arcfox Alpha T7 launched from 132,800 yuan with both battery-electric and range-extender versions · covered by 3 outlets

  • Arcfox (极狐; a Chinese EV brand) Alpha T7 officially launched on September 16, with launch subsidized price ranging from 132,800 to 168,800 yuan, according to Arcfox. auto.caijing.com.cn, 2026-09-17.
  • The car accumulated over 60,000 orders within 21 days of pre-sale, according to official. auto.caijing.com.cn, 2026-09-17.

  • The pure-electric version has a maximum battery capacity of 84.8kWh and a maximum CLTC range of 715 km, with an 800V high-voltage fast-charging platform that adds 370 km in 15 minutes, according to official. auto.caijing.com.cn, 2026-09-17.

  • Youzu, Mianjio and Perfect World announce packaging, game-test and fund moves · covered by 2 outlets

  • On September 16, Youzu Network (游族网络; a Chinese game developer) jointly initiated the Dijiang Technology (谛疆科技; a Chinese advanced-packaging company) advanced packaging project, with Youzu Network Chairman Wan Zheng and Dijiang Technology founder Cai Menglin jointly unveiling the project. Securities Times.
  • On September 17, Mianjio Network’s (a Chinese game studio) new game Blue Star Plain started its “Travel Traces Test”, covering Windows PC, HarmonyOS, Android, and iOS, with 22 playable characters available. Eastmoney, 2026-09-18.

  • Perfect World (完美世界; a Chinese game company) plans to invest 50 million yuan to subscribe for a stake in Tianjin Lisi Xing Shen Equity Investment Partnership, according to Perfect World. National Business Daily, 2026-09-16.

  • Super Hi International swings to Q2 net loss as FX loss widens by US$20.6 million · covered by 1 outlet

  • In the second quarter, Super Hi International (特海国际; a Chinese restaurant operator) revenue was US$219 million, up 10%, according to Super Hi International. Economic Observer, 2026-09-18.
  • Second-quarter operating profit was US$8.1 million, up 118.9%, but net exchange loss surged by US$20.6 million year-over-year, directly causing a net loss of US$1.898 million, according to Super Hi International. Economic Observer, 2026-09-18.

  • In the second quarter, the table turnover rate increased year-over-year, and revenue from delivery and other businesses surged 114.3%, according to Super Hi International. Economic Observer, 2026-09-18.

  • PBOC deputy governor Xuan Changneng meets PayPal global EVP Allen · covered by 3 outlets

  • On September 15, People’s Bank of China (中国人民银行; China’s central bank) Deputy Governor Xuan Changneng (宣昌能) met PayPal Global Executive Vice President Alan and held in-depth exchanges on global financial markets, payment systems and PayPal’s business operations in China, according to the People’s Bank of China. Securities Times, 2026-09-17.
  • On September 14, PBOC Deputy Governor Xuan Changneng met Fiona Bassett, CEO of FTSE Russell under London Stock Exchange Group, to discuss international financial market trends, China’s high-level financial opening and FTSE Russell’s business in China, according to the People’s Bank of China. m.21jingji.com, 2026-09-16.

  • On September 10, 2026, PBOC Deputy Governor Xuan Changneng met Leong Sing Chiong, Deputy Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, to exchange views on the economic and financial situation and China-Singapore financial cooperation, according to the People’s Bank of China. Securities Times, 2026-09-17.

  • Zhou Hongyi says he will not invest in new energy vehicles again, citing earlier losses · covered by 3 outlets

  • On September 15, 360 Group (a Chinese cybersecurity company) founder Zhou Hongyi (周鸿祎) attended the 5th Beidou Scale Application International Summit and said he had already taken a loss once and will not invest in new energy vehicles again, according to Zhou Hongyi. m.21jingji.com, 2026-09-17.
  • When he invested in NETA Auto (哪吒汽车; a Chinese EV maker) in 2021, 360 originally planned to put in 2.9 billion yuan and put in 1.9 billion yuan up front; in 2022, 360 transferred part of its equity for 0 yuan and stopped further investment, according to 360 Group. m.21jingji.com, 2026-09-17.
  • NETA Auto was founded in 2014 and delivered over 150,000 new vehicles in 2022, becoming that year’s champion among China’s new car-making forces, according to NETA Auto. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-16.

Energy

  • First Xinjiang coal train via rail-water corridor reaches Tangshan Port, cutting round trip to about 10 days · covered by 1 outlet
  • The first 10,000-ton Hami coal special train under the “Xinjiang coal to Hebei” program arrived at Tangshan Port’s Jingtang port area of Hebei Port Group (a Chinese port operator), marking the official start of this rail-water intermodal corridor for outbound Xinjiang coal. National Business Daily, 2026-09-18.
  • Compared with the previous all-rail route, the Xinjiang-to-Hebei coal transport time has been cut from a 28-day round trip to about 10 days. National Business Daily, 2026-09-18.

  • Xinjiang’s outbound coal shipments reached 144 million tons in 2025, with average annual growth of 33.7%, reaching 19 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. National Business Daily, 2026-09-18.

  • China’s national carbon market cumulative trading volume reaches 961 million tonnes · covered by 1 outlet

  • As of the end of August 2026, China’s national carbon emissions trading market had cumulative trading volume of 961 million tonnes and cumulative turnover of 65.699 billion yuan, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (China’s environmental regulator). People’s Daily, 2026-09-18.
  • In 2025 the national carbon emissions trading market operated 243 trading days, with annual carbon allowance trading volume of 235 million tonnes, up 24.36% year on year and a record high since the market opened, and annual turnover of 14.630 billion yuan, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. People’s Daily, 2026-09-18.
  • Preliminary preparations have begun for including the petrochemical, chemical, papermaking and civil aviation industries in the national carbon emissions trading market, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. People’s Daily, 2026-09-18.

Markets

  • Business loan rates hold steady at Shanghai and Shenzhen banks, but some managers flag October hike · covered by 1 outlet
  • Agricultural Bank of China (a Chinese state-owned bank) Shenzhen branch quoted a mortgage-backed operating loan annual rate of 2.5% with a five-year term, according to branch staff. National Business Daily, 2026-09-18.
  • China Merchants Bank (a Chinese joint-stock bank) Shenzhen branch said its lowest annual operating loan rate is 2.35%, according to branch staff. National Business Daily, 2026-09-18.

  • Industrial Bank (a Chinese joint-stock bank) Shanghai branch quoted mortgage operating loan rates of roughly 2.35% to 2.50%, with a possible increase in October, according to a branch account manager. National Business Daily, 2026-09-18.

  • HKMA raises base rate to 4.25%; Hang Seng closes down 0.44% on September 17 · covered by 5 outlets

  • On September 17, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (Hong Kong’s de facto central bank) raised its base rate by 25 basis points to 4.25%, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-17.
  • The Hang Seng Index closed at 24,604.29 points on September 17, down 109.49 points or 0.44%, as of the September 17 close. Eastmoney.
  • As of September 11, 2026, the price-to-earnings ratios of the Hang Seng Index and the Hang Seng Tech Index were 11.13 times and 22.59 times, respectively, according to Wind, a Chinese financial-data provider. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-17.

Tech

  • Chinese media highlight newly launched ‘token loans’ as AI-era financial services innovation · covered by 2 outlets
  • Agricultural Bank of China rolled out a dedicated “Token loan” financing scheme in Shanghai, Zhejiang and other places, according to Agricultural Bank of China. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • Bank of China (a Chinese state-owned bank) launched a “Computing Power Token Loan” service plan that, beyond general credit criteria, uses enterprises’ computing-power token settlement status and computing service contract value as credit references, according to Bank of China. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • At the end of the second quarter, domestic and foreign currency loans to technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises stood at 4.15 trillion yuan, up 20.1% year-on-year, a growth rate 15 percentage points higher than that of all loans. China Daily, 2026-09-17.

Macro

  • Ningbo financial firms recruit at Zhejiang University in twin-city talent drive · covered by 2 outlets
  • The fifth Ningbo financial industry talent recruitment promotion series, a Ningbo financial industry special job fair for Zhejiang University (浙大; a Chinese university), will open on September 18, 2026 at Zhejiang University’s Zijingang campus. Jiemian, 2026-09-18.
  • In 2025, Ningbo’s financial industry total assets surpassed 7.6 trillion yuan, and Ningbo ranks first nationwide in the share of manufacturing loans and in the growth rate of premium income. Jiemian, 2026-09-18.
  • The event will gather more than 40 key financial institutions based in Ningbo and is expected to offer more than 2,000 positions covering technology finance, digital finance, risk control and data analysis, according to the Ningbo Financial Industry Federation (a Chinese industry group). Economic Observer, 2026-09-18.

Also Reported

Further developments selected for today’s brief; tap a source to read the original.

Sources

43 source articles across 12 Chinese outlets. Each story below lists the outlets that corroborate it; click any source to read the original.

China issues 15th Five-Year Plan for electronic information manufacturing — 6 outlets

Futu’s US prediction market tops 200 million contracts in its first month — 1 outlet

China’s financial product online marketing rules near implementation as top platforms accelerate self-audits — 2 outlets

CATL cuts its stake in battery materials maker Hunan Yuneng below 5% — 3 outlets

Sanofi to swap assets for equity to refocus on core pipeline — 1 outlet

Cathay Pacific advances HK$150 billion investment plan with 150 new aircraft — 1 outlet

China’s landlocked energy hub secures its own seaport outlet — 1 outlet

Business loan rates hold steady at Shanghai and Shenzhen banks, but some managers flag October hike — 2 outlets

Arcfox Alpha T7 launched from 132,800 yuan with both battery-electric and range-extender versions — 3 outlets

Yoozoo co-founds Dijiang Technology advanced packaging venture; Blue Star Plain enters trial test — 3 outlets

Hong Kong stocks gap lower after rate hike; Hang Seng and Hang Seng Tech each drop more than 1.4% — 5 outlets

Super Hi International shares hit new low as FX losses turn its second quarter to a loss — 1 outlet

China’s national carbon market cumulative trading volume reaches 961 million tonnes — 2 outlets

Chinese media highlight newly launched ‘token loans’ as AI-era financial services innovation — 2 outlets

PBOC deputy governor Xuan Changneng meets PayPal global EVP Allen — 3 outlets

Zhou Hongyi says he will not invest in new energy vehicles again, citing earlier losses — 3 outlets

Ningbo financial firms recruit at Zhejiang University in twin-city talent drive — 2 outlets

Huiyang New Energy consolidates shares Sept 18, faces delisting risk as price sits below $1 — 1 outlet

People’s Daily spotlights neighborhood startup incubation spaces to boost employment — 1 outlet

Methodology: stories are clustered across Chinese outlets and ranked by breadth of corroboration and recency. Reporting is descriptive only and is not investment advice. Compiled 18 September 2026 07:29 CST.

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