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On December 17, the UK and the EU announced that they had reached an agreement for the UK to rejoin the EU's Erasmus+ student exchange program from January 2027. This development is seen as a "small but symbolic" sign of improved relations between the UK and the EU after Brexit.

[Hong Kong Stock Exchange Proposes Optimization of Lot Size Framework to Enhance Market Efficiency and Participation] The Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) today published a consultation paper seeking market feedback on proposed optimizations to the lot size framework for the Hong Kong securities market, aiming to improve trading, settlement, and delivery efficiency. The consultation will last 12 weeks and will end on March 12, 2026. Key proposals include: 1. Eight lot sizes will be available for issuers to choose from: 1 share, 50 shares, 100 shares, 500 shares, 1000 shares, 2000 shares, 5000 shares, and 10000 shares. If implemented, it is estimated that approximately 25% of issuers will need to adjust their lot sizes. 2. As execution costs have already decreased, the lower limit of the guideline for lot value will be halved from the current HK$2,000 to HK$1,000. For issuers using lot sizes greater than 100 shares, a new upper limit of HK$50,000 for the guideline will be added. (HKEX)

[Yang Xudong, Director of the Electronic Information Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology: Further Strengthening Capacity Control in the Photovoltaic Industry] Yang Xudong, Director of the Electronic Information Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, stated that 2026 will be a critical period for the governance of the photovoltaic industry. He emphasized the need to further strengthen capacity control, enhance the management of photovoltaic manufacturing projects, and promote the orderly withdrawal of outdated production capacity through market-oriented and rule-of-law means to accelerate the achievement of dynamic capacity balance. At the 2025 Photovoltaic Industry Annual Conference held that day, Yang Xudong stated that in 2026, the Electronic Information Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will work with relevant departments to focus on several key tasks, including improving the price monitoring mechanism, paying close attention to companies with abnormal prices, strengthening product quality supervision and spot checks, and strengthening monitoring and follow-up handling of companies with substandard quality, false power labeling, and intellectual property infringement. Simultaneously, the department will strengthen innovation-driven development; further improve the standard system, accelerate the revision and implementation of mandatory national standards such as photovoltaic module quality and safety and polysilicon energy consumption limits; urge the industry to further strengthen self-discipline; and further promote deeper international cooperation. (Xinhua News Agency)

Dubai set its official crude oil price for March at a discount of $0.10 per barrel to the average price in Oman.

The Shanghai Composite Index opened at 3877.22 points, up 0.18%; the CSI 300 Index opened at 4554.65 points, down 0.55%; the Shenzhen Component Index opened at 13113.94 points, down 0.84%; the ChiNext Index opened at 3118.94 points, down 1.79%; and the SME Composite Index opened at 13997.38 points, up 0.09%.

The Nikkei 225 index has just broken through the 49,100.00 mark, currently trading at 49,101.24, down 0.83% on the day.