2026-09-21 Monday
2026-09-22
11:10:10
[OpenRouter: China's AI Large Model Weekly Calls Surpass the US for 21 Consecutive Weeks, DeepSeek V4.1-Flash Tops the List] (1) According to the latest data from OpenRouter, the total global AI large model call volume last week (September 14 to September 20) was 129 trillion tokens, a 1.57% increase week-on-week. (2) Among the listed AI large models, China's AI large model weekly call volume reached 67.46 trillion tokens, a 10.28% increase week-on-week; during the same period, the US AI large model weekly call volume was 14.21 trillion tokens, a 34.7% decrease week-on-week. (3) China's large model weekly call volume has surpassed that of the US for 21 consecutive weeks, firmly holding the top spot globally. (4) Among the top five global call volumes last week, four were Chinese AI large models. (5) Among them, DeepSeek V4.1-Flash rose to first place, with a weekly call volume of 15.8 trillion tokens, a 219% increase week-on-week.
11:03:46
[Vostok Oil Project's Rapid Shipments Raise Concerns About Ice-Grade Capacity Bottleneck] ⑴ The Vostok Oil Project, just over two weeks after commencing production, is about to begin loading its fourth tanker. ⑵ The Panamax Valentin Picour is the project's only heavy ice-class tanker, loading approximately 500,000 barrels around September 5th. ⑶ Subsequently, the Aframax tankers Akademik Gubkin and Vladimir Monomakh each loaded approximately 800,000 barrels. ⑷ The fourth vessel will be the Vladimir Vinogradov. ⑸ All three Aframax tankers are light ice-class rated, applicable only to one-year ice thicknesses not exceeding 0.5 meters. ⑹ This means they will face difficulties operating in the region after November, or even earlier. ⑺ From a market sentiment perspective, the shipment pace indicates rapid project ramp-up, but insufficient ice-class capacity may constrain the continuity of winter exports. (8) Going forward, attention should be paid to the deployment of heavy ice-class vessels, changes in ice conditions, and their impact on freight rates on the Arctic route.
11:02:21
RMB SHIBOR (Shanghai Interbank Offered Rate): Latest data as of September 21, 2026. Rates decreased over four periods, increased over one period, and remained unchanged over three periods. The overnight SHIBOR was 1.364%, down 0.1 basis points. The largest fluctuation was seen in the 2-week SHIBOR, which rose by 0.4 basis points. (For details on SHIBOR and changes over the past ten working days, please refer to the chart provided by FX678). Other periods show: 1-week SHIBOR at 1.4063%, down 0.37 basis points; 2-week SHIBOR at 1.449%, up 0.4 basis points; 1-month SHIBOR at 1.4234%, down 0.06 basis points; 3-month SHIBOR at 1.43%, down 0.1 basis points; 6-month SHIBOR at 1.45%, unchanged; and 9-month SHIBOR at 1.47%, unchanged. The one-year Shibor rate was 1.48%, unchanged.
10:52:24
[Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs: Live Pig and Pork Prices Fluctuated Narrowly in the Third Week of September] According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs' monitoring of 500 county-level markets and collection points, last week (the third week of September, September 14-20), the national average price of live pigs was 11.48 yuan/kg, a decrease of 0.5% compared to the previous week; the average price of pork at farmers' markets was 21.18 yuan/kg, a decrease of 0.2% compared to the previous week. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs' monitoring and dispatch of 200 wholesale markets, the national average wholesale price of pork last week was 16.4 yuan/kg, an increase of 0.7% compared to the previous week, and a decrease of 16.1% year-on-year. Experts analyzed that last week, with the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, pig farmers actively sold their pigs, leading to a slight decrease in live pig prices; increased stockpiling by wholesalers, food processing, and catering companies drove up pork wholesale prices, but overall consumer demand in the terminal market was limited, resulting in a slight decrease in pork prices at farmers' markets. Looking ahead, live pig and pork prices are expected to continue to fluctuate narrowly this week. (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs)
10:51:28
[Hot News Recap: US Warns of Middle East Travel Risks, Iran Insists on Conditions for Strait of Hormuz Closure] 1. The US State Department issued a statement on the X platform Saturday night, urging Americans outside the Middle East to seriously reconsider their travel plans to or through the region, and warning of a potential rapid escalation of military conflict with Iran. The statement also reminded Americans in the Middle East to be vigilant and aware of flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. 2. Iran stated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until its conditions are met, demanding an end to the naval blockade, the easing of sanctions, and the release of frozen assets. Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf said on Sunday that this crucial shipping route between Iran and Oman will not open until all of Iran's conditions are met. Former Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Zulghader, previously stated that reopening the strait requires Washington to lift the blockade and sanctions, withdraw US troops from the region, pay war reparations, and unfreeze Iranian assets; the council also demanded a halt to attacks on Iran's regional allies and threats against Iran. 3. The Houthi rebels claimed on Saturday that they had attacked "sensitive" targets in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, with missiles and drones. Hours earlier, flames and smoke were seen near the city's main airport, but local authorities did not explain the cause. Trump told Fox News on Sunday that he had been in "continuous communication" with the Houthis after the attack and that the group had agreed not to attack the United States. He also said he was in "decision mode" regarding war with Iran and would decide "whether to destroy their country" based on Iran's performance. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for confirmation. 4. The US embassy in the Middle East issued a security alert to US citizens due to tensions and the risk of potential escalation. In recent weeks, the Houthi rebels have attacked Saudi Arabia and launched a ground offensive near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the entrance to the Red Sea, seizing Moha and nearby islands. The Trump administration last week approved a potential sale of nearly 50 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia for $24.3 billion, seen as significant support for the country. 5. Iranian armed forces warned neighboring countries on social media that an alliance with the United States would provoke retaliation from Tehran; reports indicate that the Iranian government has been informed that the US is preparing to resume military action against Iran. Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Rezaei said on Saturday that consultations with mediators from Qatar and Pakistan are ongoing, and Iran has conveyed its conditions for a ceasefire to the United States: ending the war on all fronts, releasing frozen Iranian assets, and lifting the naval blockade. He stated that he is awaiting a response from Trump.
10:43:51
[State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council: Expanding the Growth of Emerging Industries, Cultivating Future Industrial Variables, and Continuously Moving Towards the High End of the Industrial Chain and Value Chain] On September 20, the Party Committee of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council held a special meeting. The meeting emphasized that state-owned enterprises should focus on key areas and crucial links, working hard to improve the innovation, competitiveness, and comprehensive strength of the manufacturing industry. This includes becoming more technologically advanced, systematically undertaking a number of new major national science and technology projects, implementing a number of landmark major science and technology tasks, promoting the construction of a number of pilot-scale experimental platforms, and achieving more advanced and independent technological routes; becoming more advanced in industrial structure, expanding the growth of emerging industries, cultivating future industrial variables, optimizing the existing traditional industries, and continuously moving towards the high end of the industrial chain and value chain; and becoming more advanced in production methods, adhering to the mutual promotion of pollution reduction and carbon reduction with quality and efficiency improvement, and accelerating the formation of an industrial structure and production method with high technological content, low resource consumption, and low environmental pollution. (SASAC)
10:35:56
A chart showing the latest China Cotton Price Index (CC Index) data (September 21, 2026): The 3128B cotton price index was 17,381 yuan/ton (3128B is the benchmark for cotton futures delivery recognized by the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange), down 7 yuan/ton, or 0.04%. The 2227B cotton price index was 15,851 yuan/ton, unchanged, and the 2129B cotton price index was 17,731 yuan/ton, down 8 yuan/ton, or 0.05%. FX678's specially created chart provides a summary of the latest 30 trading days of the China Cotton Price Index (CC Index). (The China Cotton Price Index is published once per trading day, quoting prices in three denominations: 3128B, 2227B, and 2129B. The Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE) stipulates that the benchmark delivery commodity for cotton futures is domestic cotton of '3128B' grade. The spot market cotton transaction price needs to be converted to the price of 3128B cotton using a specific formula. For example, research reports will state the price of cotton from a certain origin, and then calculate its equivalent price in 3128B.)
10:27:10
【US Crude Oil: Range-bound trading, buy on dips, sell on rallies】 (1) Reasons for analysis: After WTI broke below $100, the bearish momentum strengthened, and the expectation of geopolitical easing and the partial recovery of supply reduced the risk premium. The latest EIA data shows that the decline in US crude oil inventories is limited, and the short-term fundamentals are weak, but there are still disturbances in global supply. If the $90 support is effective, oil prices may continue to fluctuate within a range. (2) Key focus: geopolitical situation, inventory data, US dollar index (3) Resistance: 95.00, 96.00, 98.00 (4) Support: 93.00, 92.00, 90.00
10:27:07
【Spot Gold: Range-bound trading, sell on rallies and buy on dips】 (1) Reasons for analysis: The Fed still released further tightening signals after raising interest rates, and the US dollar and US Treasury yields remained high, which put pressure on gold; however, geopolitical risks still provided safe-haven support, and gold did not weaken significantly after the Fed raised interest rates. There is a possibility of upward correction after the negative news is released. In the short term, we will maintain a range-bound approach and wait for the pressure test. (2) Key focus: US Treasury yields, US dollar index, geopolitical situation (3) Resistance: 4400, 4450, 4480 (4) Support: 4330, 4300, 4260;
10:12:42
[2026 National Green Computing Facilities Recommendation Launched] The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and four other departments recently jointly issued the "Notice on Organizing the 2026 National Green Computing Facilities Recommendation Work," initiating the recommendation process for national green computing facilities. The "Notice" clarifies the specific requirements and procedures for the national green computing facilities recommendation work and releases the "2026 National Green Computing Facilities Evaluation Index System." The new "Indicator System" includes four aspects: energy utilization level, carbon emission management level, water resource utilization level, and computing power resource utilization level. In terms of evaluation content, new indicators such as unit computing power energy efficiency, carbon utilization efficiency, digital carbon management, and product carbon footprint have been included, further emphasizing energy efficiency and carbon efficiency leadership. In terms of evaluation scoring, the scores for key indicators such as carbon utilization efficiency, water resource utilization efficiency, renewable energy power ratio, and rack resource utilization level have been increased, further emphasizing the overall requirements of green, low-carbon, intensive, and circular development. (MIIT)
10:12:16
[NBC Poll: 55% of Voters Believe Trump's Policies Weaken Economy, Approval Drops to 39.7%] (1) Most voters believe that President Trump's policies have weakened the economy. An NBC News poll shows that 55% of people say the economy has worsened because of Trump's policies, 26% say the opposite, 18% say the economy has not really been affected by the president's policies, and 1% are unsure. (2) This result is a warning sign for the president and Republicans as they prepare for the midterm elections. Over the past year, Trump has faced declining approval ratings, an unpopular war with Iran, and strong backlash over immigration and economic policies. (3) In the Decision Desk HQ average poll, as of Sunday evening, Trump's approval rating was 39.7%, and his disapproval rating was 58.9%. (4) Republicans have recently been debating how to improve weak poll numbers on the economy before Election Day, fearing that voter anger fueled by high prices could cost their party's candidate in November. (5) An NBC poll showed that 28% of respondents said inflation and the cost of living were “the most important issues facing the country,” while 18%, 16%, and 9% of respondents, respectively, considered government corruption, threats to democracy, and employment and the economy to be the most important issues. (6) The poll also found that 62% of respondents said a war with Iran was “not worth it,” 33% disagreed, and 5% were unsure.
10:11:02
[Yen Plunge Sparks Intervention Speculation, Dollar Remains Strong] 1. Monday's forex market focus shifted to the yen. Last week's sharp yen depreciation sparked speculation about a possible currency inquiry by Tokyo; following interest rate hikes by several major central banks last week, investors are also weighing the interest rate outlook. Currently, the USD/JPY/USD pair is trading in a narrow range near last week's lows. With Japanese markets closed for holidays and liquidity low, traders are closely watching for potential intervention. 2. The Bank of Japan raised interest rates to a 31-year high of 1.25% last Friday, but failed to boost the yen. Two policy committee members voted against the rate hike, and the lack of clear hawkish guidance disappointed investors. 3. The yen subsequently plunged, and Nikkei reported that Japanese officials had conducted a currency inquiry. A currency inquiry is when authorities ask banks for quotes to assess market conditions; traders often see it as a precursor to foreign exchange intervention. 4. The Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank also raised interest rates this month and warned that further tightening of policy may be necessary to combat inflation given the nearly seven-month-long Middle East war. HSBC economist Fan Limin stated that the Fed's consistent rate hikes and hawkish signals make it more difficult for the Bank of Japan to convey policy signals. 5. In early September, the yen rose to a seven-month high as traders bet on a faster rate hike by the Bank of Japan and signs of Japanese investors repatriating funds, but has since given back some of those gains. Fan Limin stated that the threshold for the Bank of Japan to convince the market of its hawkish stance and stabilize yen expectations remains high, and its determination to raise rates may be tested again in the future. 6. The euro was largely unchanged against the dollar, hovering around 1.148. German state election forecasts show the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in first place, a major blow to Chancellor Merz's conservative party. ING economists stated that this reflects low approval ratings for the federal government and Merz; years of economic stagnation have fueled political polarization, making it even harder for the economy to emerge from stagnation. 7. The dollar index held steady around 100.24, after rising more than 1% following the Fed's rate hike last week, when the Fed hinted at further rate increases. CME Group's FedWatch tool shows traders expect a 55% probability of a Fed rate hike in October, up from 42.5% a week earlier, and a nearly 90% probability of a rate hike in December. Jefferies economist Thomas Simons stated that the midterm elections will not be a constraint on an October rate hike; whether a rate hike will occur in December depends on economic data and geopolitical tensions; the interest rate path in 2027 will depend on the labor market, with a possible rate cut in the second half of the year.
10:02:47
[China-US Trade Talks Held in New York] On September 20 local time, He Lifeng, Vice Premier of the State Council and China's lead negotiator for China-US trade talks, held trade talks in New York with their US counterparts, US Treasury Secretary Bessenter and Trade Representative Greer. Guided by the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and adhering to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, the two sides conducted frank, in-depth, and constructive exchanges on important trade and economic issues of common concern, including implementing the consensus reached in previous trade talks and promoting bilateral trade and investment. They also held a dialogue on issues related to artificial intelligence. (Xinhua)
09:46:39
Westpac: RBA Rate Hike Expected to Happen in September, Voting Expected to Be Divided (1) Westpac Chief Economist Lucie Ellis has moved her expectation for a Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) rate hike forward to September, saying the central bank governor's statements have met the committee's conditions for further rate hikes set in August. (2) She acknowledges there are tactical reasons for waiting, including the release of the August monthly CPI the day after the meeting, and the potential for awkward public perception due to a slight easing of tensions in the Middle East, fuel consumption tax adjustments, or a weak employment report. However, she believes the weight of hawkish rhetoric outweighs these factors. (3) Westpac expects a divided vote due to differing views on trend productivity, labor supply, and the degree of labor market slack, while underemployment has risen sharply.
09:35:47
[Oil Prices Rise Nearly 2%, Market Focuses on Saudi Export Recovery and Middle East Situation] 1. Oil prices fell on Monday after an initial surge, driven by the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia over the weekend. Both WTI and Brent crude initially rose more than 1%, but subsequently fell nearly 2%. US crude for November delivery is currently down 2.6% at $95.38 per barrel, a one-and-a-half-week low, while Brent crude fell as much as 1.95% to $101.18 per barrel, as investors assess the recovery of Saudi Arabian oil exports. 2. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on "sensitive" targets in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, and a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu, a key Red Sea oil export hub, on Saturday. Following the Houthi attacks on Saudi Aramco's east-west pipeline, the company suspended some shipments via the port of Yanbu and plans to increase exports via the Strait of Hormuz this month and next. 3. Preliminary data from data analytics firm Kpler shows that Saudi Arabia's crude oil exports have rebounded to slightly above 4 million barrels per day so far in September; in August, exports had fallen to 2.4 million barrels per day, the lowest level since at least 2013. 4. A report from JPMorgan Chase analysts on September 18 stated that despite disruptions to Saudi Arabia's east-west oil pipelines, Middle Eastern crude oil shipments remain surprisingly strong. Over the past 10 days, total crude oil shipments averaged 17.1 million barrels per day, only 6.1 million barrels per day lower than the 2025 average. Analysts indicated that the most significant change came from Saudi Arabia; satellite data shows that Saudi crude oil shipments via the Strait of Hormuz averaged 2.9 million barrels per day over the past six days, compared to only 700,000 barrels per day in August. 5. Three Iranian sources stated that after the attacks, Saudi Arabia sought assistance from a major Asian power, which has requested Iran's help in restraining the Houthi rebels. Amid the ongoing stalemate between the US and Iran, both sides exchanged new threats on Sunday, but US President Trump expressed his willingness to meet with Iranian President Pezechioyan, who is expected to travel to New York this week for the UN General Assembly. According to Al Jazeera, Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, stated in an interview on Saturday that Iran has conveyed its conditions for resuming negotiations to the mediators.
09:34:40
[US national debt surpasses $40 trillion: The solution lies in taxation, not spending cuts] (1) The US national debt has reached $40 trillion, but spending cuts cannot fill the gap. Healthcare costs about $1 trillion, and even if it is eliminated, it will only cover half of the deficit; Social Security costs $1.7 trillion and is rising; cutting all “wasteful” domestic agencies will only affect 13%-14% of the budget. Mathematics forces the discussion to shift to the revenue side. (2) Total federal spending in fiscal year 2026 will be about $7.7 trillion, of which 73% (about $5.6 trillion) is mandatory spending such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; discretionary spending is about $2 trillion, defense is about $900 billion, and other spending is about $1.1 trillion. (3) Interest bills are about $1.1 trillion and will worsen. The public holds more than $32 trillion in debt, and about one-third (more than $10 trillion) will mature and be refinanced in the next 12 months. The average interest rate is about 3.3%, currently 0.5-1.3 percentage points higher; for every 1 percentage point increase in interest rate, the annual interest payment will be 300-400 billion US dollars more. (4) The only credible solution is a tax that can truly generate revenue, coupled with reasonable reductions. Except for the United States, all developed countries levy value-added tax; exemptions for necessities can reduce regressivity, but will push up prices. (5) The standard objection is that value-added tax is easily aggravated by Congress; the analysis believes that it should be written into the guarantee clauses such as absolute majority, rather than inaction. The real choice is whether to design value-added tax now or to painfully liquidate it later. (6) Revenue estimates: under a broad tax base of 5% value-added tax, it will be about 350 billion US dollars in 2027 and 440 billion US dollars in 2034; under a narrow tax base, it will be 220-290 billion US dollars. At a 10% tax rate, the traditional method will reduce the basic deficit by about 1.6 trillion US dollars per year, and the dynamic estimate is about 1.3 trillion US dollars. The European average is about 21%, and the US 10% is half of that.
09:31:49
Overview of CNY HIBOR (Hong Kong Interbank Offered Rate) and Changes: According to FX678, as of September 21, 2026, most CNY HIBOR rates rose across various periods (as shown in the table, rates increased in 6 periods). The largest change was in the 2-month CNY HIBOR rate, which rose by 2 basis points. As shown in the updated data, the overnight onshore RMB HIBOR was 1.39%, up 2 basis points; the 1-week rate was 1.41%, up 2 basis points; the 2-week rate was 1.42%, up 2 basis points; the 1-month rate was 1.55%, up 1 basis point; the 2-month rate was 1.59%, up 2 basis points; the 3-month rate was 1.63%, up 1 basis point; the 6-month rate was 1.64%, unchanged; the 9-month rate was 1.65%, unchanged; and the 1-year onshore RMB HIBOR was 1.67%, unchanged. (BP = basis points)
09:23:24
[Hot Topic: Iranian Oil Exports Reportedly Hit Two-Year High, Conflicting Official Accounts Amid US Blockade] 1. Fars News Agency reported on September 20 that despite the US Navy's blockade of Iranian ports, Iran's oil exports in the last 30 days reached their highest monthly level in two years. The report stated that monthly sales exceeded $3 billion, but did not disclose the average daily export volume during the same period. 2. The report also cited data from Iran's Planning and Budget Organization, stating that oil revenues in the first half of the Iranian calendar year, which began on March 21, have exceeded the estimates in this year's budget. The budget assumes crude oil and condensate export revenue of approximately $25.4 billion, a benchmark price of $54 per barrel, and a daily export volume of approximately 1.045 million barrels. 3. The report mentioned that since mid-July, the US military has imposed a second maritime blockade on southern Iranian ports and ships and tankers associated with Iran. The US Central Command stated that the blockade has forced dozens of related ships to turn back or change course. Earlier this month, after Iran launched anti-ship ballistic missiles at US warships, the US military also attacked at least five Iranian oil tankers. 4. Iranian crude oil production has declined significantly since the outbreak of the war. OPEC's latest monthly report shows that Iran's crude oil production in August was 2.1 million barrels per day, a 34% decrease from 3.2 million barrels per day before the US-Israel war at the end of February. A senior Iranian lawmaker stated last month that while exports are difficult, rising oil prices still help increase revenue. 5. Before the war, oil prices were above $70 per barrel; after Iran restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz in early March, prices rose above $100. Since early September, oil prices have mostly been above $90, briefly exceeding $100, and are currently around $99. The Strait of Hormuz handles approximately 20% of global oil and gas transport. 6. Since the second blockade, Iranian officials have given conflicting accounts of oil sales. President Pezeshkian stated that oil that could be sold in the past is now unsellable; Central Bank Governor Hemmati stated that oil revenue has "reached zero" and exports have "virtually stopped." Oil Minister Paknejhad, however, countered that sales are continuing. For many years, China has been the largest buyer of Iranian crude oil, purchasing approximately 90%; the US threatened sanctions earlier this month against countries that purchase Iranian oil.
09:15:42
On September 21, the central parity rate of the RMB in the interbank foreign exchange market was as follows (2/2): RMB/South African Rand: 2.4152, up 7.00 points; RMB/Korean Won: 206.5000, up 101.00 points; RMB/UAE Dirham: 0.5466, up 6.20 points; RMB/Saudi Riyal: 0.5589, up 5.10 points; RMB/Hungarian Forint: 47.1488, up 2323.99 points; RMB/Polish Złoty: 0.5644, up 11.80 points; RMB/Danish Krone: 0.9685, up 9.00 points; RMB/Swedish Krone: 1.4631, up 34.00 points; RMB/Norwegian Krone: 1.4006, up 2.00 points. The yuan was quoted at 7.2516 against the Turkish lira, up 115.10 points; the yuan was quoted at 2.5569 against the Mexican peso, up 110.00 points; and the yuan was quoted at 4.9684 against the Thai baht, up 133.00 points.
09:15:42
On September 21, the central parity rate of the RMB against the US dollar in the interbank foreign exchange market was as follows (1/2): The Swiss Franc was quoted at 8.1809 against the RMB, up 126.00 points; the US Dollar was quoted at 6.7487 against the RMB, down 34.00 points; the Euro was quoted at 7.7192 against the RMB, down 65.00 points; 100 Japanese Yen was quoted at 4.2898 against the RMB, down 275.00 points; the Hong Kong Dollar was quoted at 0.8603 against the RMB, down 3.70 points; the British Pound was quoted at 9.0044 against the RMB, up 86.00 points; the Australian Dollar was quoted at 4.7891 against the RMB, up 31.00 points; the New Zealand Dollar was quoted at 3.8459 against the RMB, down 86.00 points; and the Singapore Dollar was quoted at 5.2720 against the RMB, down 71.00 points. The Canadian dollar was quoted at 4.8023 against the Chinese yuan, down 65.00 points; the yuan was quoted at 0.6062 against the Malaysian ringgit, down 16.20 points; and the yuan was quoted at 12.5947 against the Russian ruble, down 130.00 points.
09:15:21
[Syria Aims for Oil Self-Sufficiency by 2028, Cooperating with Iraq to Upgrade Kirkuk-Banias Pipeline] 1. Syrian Energy Minister Bashir stated in parliament on September 20th that Syria strives to achieve oil self-sufficiency by 2028 and restore domestic extraction and refining capacity. Currently, the two refineries have a combined daily capacity of approximately 150,000 barrels, with a domestic production-to-refining-demand gap of about 200,000 barrels per day, which is filled by imported refined oil products. 2. Bashir said the government will comprehensively upgrade the aging Banias refinery, repair shut-down wells, and remap oil and gas resource distribution; simultaneously, it is in discussions with foreign companies regarding oil and gas exploration and offshore oil field development. 3. Regarding regional cooperation, Syria has signed a memorandum of understanding with a consortium of companies, planning to cooperate with Iraq to replace the aging Kirkuk-Banias oil pipeline. Syria will be able to collect transit fees and have priority purchasing rights for oil transported through the pipeline. 4. Syria needs approximately 24 million cubic meters of natural gas daily to maintain its existing power plants, with monthly expenditures on imported natural gas amounting to about $140 million. About 10,000 employees have returned to work after applying for reinstatement, and the Ministry of Energy is also pushing forward with process digitization and automation. 5. Previously, the Syrian government raised fuel prices by 25% to 40%, sparking protests in many areas; following parliamentary hearings, the government introduced lower-priced diesel fuel for heating, agriculture, and other uses.
09:12:18
[Hot News Recap: US-Denmark Greenland Military Agreement Finalized; Denmark Emphasizes Unchanged Sovereignty and Self-Determination] 1. Denmark stated on Saturday that the arrangement reached with the Trump administration would not harm its sovereignty over Greenland and would allow the US to significantly expand its military presence there. The US, Denmark, and Greenland announced an agreement on Friday prohibiting US adversaries from establishing bases in the country. The agreement is expected to be signed next week during the UN General Assembly; details have not yet been released. 2. Trump stated on "Truth Social" that the agreement ensures the US always has the full capability to take necessary actions in Greenland; adversaries cannot establish bases or military presences, nor can they make sensitive investments, without Washington's written approval. 3. Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen stated that he hopes this ends the period of uncertainty, and that the agreement will strengthen Arctic and North Atlantic security, consolidate NATO and European common security, while not crossing Denmark's red lines. Greenlandic Prime Minister Nielssen stated that the agreement recognizes Denmark's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the Greenlandic people's right to self-determination. 4. Rasmussen, a scholar at the University of Copenhagen, believes this may not be the end of Trump's ambitions for Greenland, nor the end of the US's strategic interest in the region's resources; if Copenhagen cedes formal powers, Greenland may face the issue of replacing its Danish colonial relationship with a US one. 5. A NATO spokesperson welcomed the agreement, stating that it would help promote security, stability, and cooperation in this crucial region.
08:54:13
[Over 200 Flights Cancelled in Japan Due to Typhoon Dujuan] Due to the impact of Typhoon Dujuan, the 25th typhoon of the year, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have confirmed the cancellation of 188 flights on the 21st. Japan Airlines stated that 120 domestic flights to and from Tokyo's Haneda and Narita airports were cancelled after the afternoon of the 21st, affecting approximately 15,000 passengers; 15 international flights were also cancelled at Narita Airport, affecting approximately 2,500 passengers. ANA, primarily operating flights to and from Haneda Airport, cancelled 53 flights today, affecting approximately 9,700 passengers. In addition, Jetstar Japan cancelled 42 domestic and international flights to and from Narita Airport on the 21st, affecting approximately 6,200 passengers, and cancelled 3 international flights arriving at Narita Airport on the 22nd. (CCTV News)
08:53:28
[Hot News Recap: Alternative for Germany (AfD) Wins Another State, Merz's Camp Suffers Worst State Election Since 1949] 1. September 20th polls showed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) leading in the Mecklenburg-West Pomerania state election, while Chancellor Merz's conservative party suffered its worst state election result since 1949. 2. Merz called it a "disaster" after the exit polls were released. Although there was speculation that the crushing defeat might lead to his resignation, he stated he would continue as Chancellor and push forward with the reform agenda. 3. German public broadcaster ARD predicted the AfD would win 38.3% of the vote in the state, while the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) would win 35.4%. Both significantly outperformed Merz's conservative party; the latest statistics show the conservatives' vote share has dropped to 4.9%, below the 5% threshold needed to enter the state parliament, potentially losing all seats. 4. This is the second time this month that the AfD has come in first place in a state election. The party leads in national polls, but other major parties refuse to cooperate with it, thus remaining excluded from the ruling coalition. 5. In the Berlin state elections on the same day, the far-left Left Party (Linke) came in first with 25.3% of the vote; Merz's conservative coalition, currently in a coalition with the Social Democratic Party, fell to 19%. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) also continued to expand in traditionally liberal Berlin, gaining 16.3% of the vote. This is the first time the Left Party has led in a Berlin state election; the party advocates nationalizing corporate-owned housing and setting rent caps. 6. Sunday's election results may not directly cripple Merz, but his political future is being tested given his low approval ratings, unpopular reform measures, and the AfD's previous victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state election. 7. Fratzscher, director of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) in Berlin, said that it will now be more difficult for the federal government to muster the courage and political support to push forward with fundamental reforms. He stated that if the ruling coalition parties continue to hold firm to their existing bottom lines, the political deadlock will deepen further, the economic weakness will persist, and the Alternative for Japan (AfD)'s chances of winning the 2029 general election will increase.
08:53:18
[Surge in Diesel Prices Becomes a Major Problem for Republicans in the Midterm Elections] (1) The rising price of diesel is becoming a particularly thorny issue for Republicans. With only 45 days left until the midterm elections, soaring energy costs are worsening economic sentiment. (2) The national average price of diesel jumped 42 cents in the past week, mainly due to the ongoing U.S. war with Iran, although Trump has tried to blame the attack on energy facilities during the Russia-Ukraine war. As of Saturday, the average price of diesel was $6.50 per gallon, a record high, with no signs of easing as the winter heating season approaches. (3) The impact of diesel could be particularly severe, hitting rural voters and other key parts of the Republican base. Trump downplayed the concerns, telling voters in North Carolina that the price increase was a “very cheap price” to pay for the war with Iran and that prices would “plummet like a rocket flying backwards.” But analysts expect prices to remain high in the coming weeks: diesel could stay above $6, and $7 is not out of the question; gasoline could stay above $4. Hurricanes and other events could further worsen diesel and heating oil prices. (4) Diesel is a primary fuel for public transportation, trucking, and agriculture. Senate Majority Leader Thune said he was “willing to explore” an export ban on diesel if it “alleviates price pressures”; Interior Secretary Bergham said a ban on U.S. fuel or oil exports would likely not lower prices. (5) The rising diesel prices are the latest negative economic news that Republicans and the administration have to deal with ahead of the midterm elections. Despite Trump’s calls for interest rate cuts, the Federal Reserve announced a 25-basis-point rate hike on Wednesday, seen as an admission that inflation continues to plague Americans. Democrats have been using rising energy prices to attack their Republican opponents in the campaign; Michigan Republican Senate candidate Rogers called for a suspension of state and federal gasoline taxes. (6) Recent polls show that voters’ patience with the economy is wearing thin, even among Republicans. A New York Times/Siena College poll found that only 29% of Republicans said the economy was better than a year ago, down from 72% in January. Republican strategists say voters will not ultimately make decisions based solely on diesel, but it is part of a larger narrative; presidential allies say supporters understand the war in Iraq, and Vice President Vance encouraged candidates to be “honest” with voters on affordability issues. (7) In an interview with Axios last Thursday, Trump said he had a “major decision” to make about the war on Iran, adding that “anything can happen here.” Strategists remain skeptical that any move to end the war before the midterm elections could change voters’ minds at this point; from an economic perspective, it may take too long for the country to get back on its feet.
08:50:40
[Hot News Recap: Kashkari Says US Inflationary Pressures Pervade All Sectors of Economy, Supports Last Week's Rate Hike] 1. Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari stated on Sunday that inflation levels across all sectors of the US economy are too high, and not solely due to rising oil prices. Speaking on Fox News, he said that even excluding volatile energy and food prices, inflation remains excessive based on economic trends. 2. Kashkari supports the unanimous rate hike decision passed last week. At a previous meeting, he was one of three dissenting officials advocating for a rate hike. He emphasized that the Fed's responsibility is to bring inflation back to its 2% target, and that no interest rate policy will force the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz or lower oil prices. 3. He further pointed out that the inflation felt by Americans daily extends far beyond oil prices, permeating all aspects of the economy, particularly the service sector. The Fed has the tools to bring inflation back to its target, but also hopes to receive assistance from other government departments or other sectors of the real economy. 4. Kashkari's remarks echo those of Fed Chairman Warsh after Wednesday's meeting. Warsh stated at the time that, whether measured by 6-month or 12-month periods, too many categories of inflation were still exceeding 3%. 5. Kashkari also stated that despite tariffs, trade wars, and the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, the US economy remained quite strong, demonstrating remarkable resilience, and productivity showed signs of improvement. He hoped that as some conflicts gradually receded into the background, economic growth would truly take over and could potentially lower inflation, making the Fed's job much easier.
08:44:33
[China Accelerates Commercial Application of Underwater Robots to Boost Marine Ranching Construction] In the Xinghai Bay waters of Dalian, Liaoning Province, a coastal city in Northeast China, a series of box-shaped underwater robots slowly submerged, staging a practical competition to harvest seafood. "Through human-machine collaboration, we captured 17 targets in half an hour, including 6 conches, 8 scallops, 2 starfish, and 1 oyster," said Zhang Wanhui, a member of the OurEDA team from Dalian University of Technology, who had just finished the competition. From September 17th to 20th, the 10th National Underwater Robot Competition was held in Dalian, Liaoning Province. Thirty underwater robot teams from domestic universities, research institutes, and related companies, including Dalian University of Technology and Dalian Maritime University, participated, competing in underwater perception and detection, underwater positioning and communication, and underwater intelligent operation capabilities in a real near-shore environment. China has over 18,000 kilometers of mainland coastline and over 14,000 kilometers of island coastline, possessing uniquely abundant marine resources. In recent years, many regions in China have actively promoted the construction of "blue granaries," establishing over 160 national-level marine ranches and providing more possibilities for the diversified development of the "blue economy." From seafood harvesting and underwater anchor rope retrieval to underwater ecological monitoring, the needs of marine ranching enterprises in their daily operations indicate a broad market prospect for the underwater robot industry. Coastal provinces in China are accelerating the development of application scenarios for marine underwater robots, streamlining the entire chain of "production, education, research, application, and finance," and driving the marine ranching industry towards new development. (Xinhua News Agency)
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