China Business Daily

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

This edition draws on 39 reports across 11 Chinese outlets.

At a Glance

  • Hong Kong published its first five-year plan (2026–2030), targeting offshore RMB hub expansion and capital-market connectivity. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-16.
  • China’s August industrial output rose 5.2% y/y while January–August fixed-asset investment fell 7.2%, signaling uneven growth. People’s Daily, 2026-09-16.
  • A major Chinese bank will stop personal precious-metals agency trading after September 25, as banks retreat from the business. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-16.

Top Stories

Policy

  • Hong Kong publishes first five-year plan, setting out capital market goals · covered by 4 outlets
  • On September 16, Hong Kong published its first five-year outline plan for economic and social development, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Economic and Social Development First Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), according to the plan document. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-16.
  • Hong Kong will strengthen its function as the world’s largest offshore renminbi business hub, according to the plan. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-16.
  • Hong Kong will improve Bond Connect (Southbound) (a Hong Kong-mainland bond trading link) by expanding investment scale, investor scope, products and trading arrangements, according to the plan. Securities Times, 2026-09-15.

  • On September 16, Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee announced the plan together with the 2026 Policy Address, according to Chief Executive John Lee. National Business Daily, 2026-09-16.

  • China rolls out measures to ease operating and financing strains for SMEs · covered by 1 outlet

  • The 15th Five-Year Plan outline makes specific arrangements for developing and strengthening the private economy, explicitly supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and self-employed businesses and promoting coordinated development of large, medium and small enterprises, according to the plan outline. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • Hohhot formed 12 project-steward teams with 36 people to provide full-process, free and efficient government services for project approval, according to Hohhot city. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • Zhejiang has dispatched more than 30,000 enterprise-assistance service staff and held 27,000 public-benefit service events, serving over 1,311,000 enterprise visits, according to Zhejiang province. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.

Macro

  • August economy stable as growth shifts to new drivers, official release says · covered by 2 outlets
  • In August, China’s value-added industrial output above designated size increased by 5.2% year-on-year, 0.7 percentage points faster than the previous month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS, China’s statistics agency). People’s Daily, 2026-09-16.
  • In August, value-added of high-tech manufacturing and digital product manufacturing above designated size grew 16.7% and 15.7% year-on-year, respectively, according to the NBS. People’s Daily, 2026-09-16.

  • In the first eight months, China’s fixed asset investment fell 7.2% year-on-year, according to the NBS. m.21jingji.com, 2026-09-15.

  • China’s FX market ran steadily in August, SAFE says · covered by 2 outlets

  • In August, cross-border receipts and payments by non-bank sectors such as enterprises and individuals totaled 1.5 trillion US dollars, according to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE, a Chinese foreign-exchange regulator). People’s Daily, 2026-09-16.
  • Net cross-border capital inflow was 62.4 billion US dollars, a slight month-on-month increase of 4%, according to SAFE. People’s Daily, 2026-09-16.

  • In August, domestic foreign exchange market trading volume was 3.9 trillion US dollars, remaining at a relatively high level, according to SAFE. m.21jingji.com, 2026-09-15.

  • China’s 2025 NEV output reached 16.626 million units as L3 rules advance · covered by 1 outlet

  • In 2025, China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) production and sales reached 16.626 million and 16.49 million units respectively, ranking first worldwide for 11 consecutive years, with NEVs accounting for 47.9% of new vehicle sales. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-15.
  • In December 2025, the first batch of models equipped with L3-level (conditional automated driving) functions received conditional access permits. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-15.
  • Nine departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT, a Chinese regulator) jointly issued the “15th Five-Year Plan” for the Development of the Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicle Industry. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-15.

Company

  • Fangchengbao launches Equation S and Equation S GT sedans from 189,900 yuan · covered by 1 outlet
  • BYD’s personalized brand Fangchengbao (方程豹; a Chinese EV brand of BYD) launched two sedans, Equation S and Equation S GT, on the evening of September 16, with price ranges of 189,900–229,800 yuan and 219,900–239,900 yuan, respectively, according to Fangchengbao. National Business Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • Fangchengbao general manager Xiong Tianbo said the Equation S and Equation S GT do not play pricing tricks and are fully loaded with luxury core hardware from the entry trim, according to Xiong Tianbo. National Business Daily, 2026-09-17.

  • The new vehicles will begin deliveries within one week, according to Xiong Tianbo. National Business Daily, 2026-09-17.

  • Xiaomi Auto passes 40 million km of road tests; Zhijie RX wins L3 autonomous driving test licence · covered by 2 outlets

  • As of August 31, Xiaomi (小米; a Chinese consumer electronics and EV maker) had cumulatively put 2,696 test vehicles into use, according to Xiaomi founder Lei Jun (雷军). National Business Daily, 2026-09-16.
  • Xiaomi’s road test mileage exceeded 40 million kilometers, covering extreme environments such as severe cold, high heat and high altitude, according to Lei Jun. National Business Daily, 2026-09-16.

  • ZhiJie Auto (智界; a Chinese EV brand) announced that the ZhiJie RX has obtained an L3-level autonomous driving road test license, according to ZhiJie Auto. National Business Daily, 2026-09-16.

  • Mindong Electric Power warns investors after six-session limit-up and H1 net profit falls 58.68% · covered by 2 outlets

  • Mindong Electric Power (a Chinese power utility)’s stock price deviation exceeded 20% over two consecutive trading days (Sept 15 and 16), constituting abnormal trading under Shenzhen Stock Exchange rules, according to Mindong Electric Power. National Business Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • Its shares had risen by the daily limit for six consecutive trading days since Sept 9, 2026, with cumulative deviation of 79.18%, according to Mindong Electric Power. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-16.

  • H1 2026 revenue was 237 million yuan, down 17.65% year-on-year; net profit attributable to shareholders was 29.4147 million yuan, down 58.68%, according to Mindong Electric Power’s 2026 semi-annual report. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-16.

  • Multiple firms and universities announce 13-day Mid-Autumn–National Day breaks · covered by 3 outlets

  • Dongguan Dongyangguang Group (a Chinese manufacturing group) announced that all employees would receive three days of paid special welfare leave, creating a 13-day consecutive break around Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, according to the company. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-16.
  • Gujia Home (a Chinese furniture maker) scheduled the holiday from September 25 to October 7, with September 28-30 as extra paid leave, enabling 13 consecutive paid days off, according to the company. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-16.

  • A Hefei company announced 13 consecutive days off for the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day, with no salary deduction or make-up work required. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-16.

  • Agricultural Bank of China Life launches 2026 financial education week · covered by 3 outlets

  • Agricultural Bank of China Life (农银人寿; a Chinese insurer) launched the 2026 Financial Education Publicity Week under the theme “Clean Financial Network, Safeguard Peace of Mind Consumption,” according to the company. People’s Daily, 2026-09-16.
  • The company opened a “Consumer Protection Live Room” public-benefit lecture series and invited industry experts to give special lectures, according to the company. People’s Daily, 2026-09-16.
  • The company organized the “Financial Protection for Seedlings” public-benefit activity with special education schools and training institutions to help special children identify financial risks and protect personal information, according to the company. People’s Daily, 2026-09-16.

Markets

  • Chinese banks withdraw from personal precious metals agency business en masse · covered by 2 outlets
  • SPD Bank (a Chinese joint-stock bank) announced it plans to adjust its agency personal precious metals business on the Shanghai Gold Exchange, will stop the business at a chosen time after September 25, and will close trading access via mobile banking, online banking and branch counters, according to SPD Bank. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-16.
  • ICBC (a Chinese state-owned bank) announced in June that starting from the end-of-day clearing on July 24 it would stop its agency SGE personal precious metals bidding/auction trading business, according to ICBC. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-16.

  • Bank of China (a Chinese state-owned bank) fully discontinued the relevant agency business from July 31, according to Bank of China. finance.sina.com.cn, 2026-09-16.

  • Institutions expand ETF holdings as China’s ETF market tops 6 trillion yuan · covered by 3 outlets

  • U.S. quantitative trading giant Susquehanna International Group (SIG) plans to expand its Hong Kong office space to three times the original size to enter China’s exchange-traded fund (ETF) market more deeply, according to media reports. m.21jingji.com, 2026-09-16.
  • As of end-2025, insurance funds held nearly 370 billion yuan of equity ETFs, an increase of about 310 billion yuan from end-2022 and more than a five-fold rise, according to an E Fund (a Chinese asset manager) analysis. Economic Observer, 2026-09-15.

  • In 2025, China’s ETF market size successively exceeded 6 trillion yuan, surpassing Japan to become Asia’s largest ETF market, according to the Shanghai Stock Exchange ETF Industry Development Report (2026). m.21jingji.com, 2026-09-16.

  • CSRC pledges to expand high-level capital market opening-up in 15th Five-Year Plan work · covered by 1 outlet

  • The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC, a Chinese securities regulator) said it will further expand high-level opening-up of the capital market while introducing its work for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, according to the CSRC. National Business Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • The CSRC will continue to improve cross-border investment and financing facilitation and optimize systems such as qualified foreign investors and mutual connectivity, according to the CSRC. National Business Daily, 2026-09-17.

  • The CSRC will support enterprises in making good use of both domestic and overseas markets and resources, according to the CSRC. National Business Daily, 2026-09-17.

  • Newly launched funds build positions fast as institutions step up research · covered by 1 outlet

  • Public mutual funds are currently seizing a window to position their investments. National Business Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • Among funds established since the third quarter, the net asset values of multiple active equity funds have already changed markedly, indicating these funds have been building positions rapidly. National Business Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • Institutional research activity has climbed to a historic high. National Business Daily, 2026-09-17.

Trade

  • Chinese biologics and CXO firms shift overseas expansion from product exports to capability exports · covered by 2 outlets
  • On September 15, the STAR Market (China’s Nasdaq-style tech board) collective earnings briefing for the biologics and CXO (pharmaceutical outsourcing) industries was held, attended by executives of multiple listed companies. People’s Daily, 2026-09-16.
  • Jiang Biwang, chairman of NanoMicro Technology (a Chinese chromatography materials maker), said the surge in overseas licensing/BD deals by Chinese pharma companies marks a leap from “product output” to “capability output”, according to Jiang Biwang. People’s Daily, 2026-09-16.
  • CanSino Biologics (a Chinese vaccine maker) will focus on key overseas markets, leverage its product advantages, build long-term strategic partnerships, and advance cooperation and product supply via technology transfer and intermediate/finished products, according to CanSino Biologics. People’s Daily, 2026-09-16.

Tech

  • China releases three high-quality datasets including 4.0 Chinese internet corpus · covered by 1 outlet
  • On the afternoon of September 15, at the AI Security Governance sub-forum of the 2026 National Cybersecurity Week held in Jinan, Shandong, three types of high-quality datasets—Chinese Internet Basic Corpus 4.0, Cybersecurity Dataset 1.0, and the AIGC (AI-generated content) Detection Dataset—were officially released to the public. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • Chinese Internet Basic Corpus 4.0 has a data volume of 120GB and provides trusted data support for large model training and artificial intelligence development, according to the China Cyberspace Security Association (a Chinese industry body). People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.

  • Cybersecurity Dataset 1.0 comprises 5 sub-datasets, including a cybersecurity capability evaluation benchmark set, an APT (advanced persistent threat) attack-defense dataset, a cybersecurity alert dataset, an anomalous traffic dataset and a vulnerability analysis dataset, according to the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team/Coordination Center (a Chinese cybersecurity agency). People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.

  • China’s FAST telescope spots lightest, shortest-period double neutron star system · covered by 1 outlet

  • China’s National Astronomical Observatories announced the capture of pulsar J1856—0039 in a compact binary neutron star system, the shortest-period and lightest-total-mass double neutron star system known to date, according to the National Astronomical Observatories. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • The team led by Han Jinlin has discovered about 900 new pulsars so far through systematic surveys of the galactic plane using FAST (China’s Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope), according to the National Astronomical Observatories. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • The system has a total mass of only 2.488 times the mass of the Sun, the lightest total mass of any double neutron star pair discovered to date, according to the National Astronomical Observatories. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.

Energy

  • China has built over 5,600 green mines as projects lift recovery rates · covered by 1 outlet
  • China has built more than 5,600 green mines at the provincial level or above, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources (a Chinese regulator). People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • Shizhuyuan (a Chinese mining company) raised its tungsten beneficiation recovery rate from 26.8% to over 70% and its fluorite recovery rate from below 30% to over 65%, unlocking a cumulative 150 million tonnes of ore, according to Shizhuyuan company. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.
  • During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the Qihe–Yucheng rich iron ore exploration area added 142 million tonnes of rich iron ore resources, with 100% of temporary exploration land reclaimed for farming, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. People’s Daily, 2026-09-17.

Sources

39 source articles across 11 Chinese outlets. Each story below lists the outlets that corroborate it; click any source to read the original.

Hong Kong publishes first five-year plan, setting out capital market goals — 4 outlets

August economy stable as growth shifts to new drivers, official release says — 4 outlets

BYD’s Fangchengbao launches two sedans from 189,900 yuan to take on Xiaomi SU7 and Tesla Model 3 — 2 outlets

Xiaomi Auto passes 40 million km of road tests; Zhijie RX wins L3 autonomous driving test licence — 2 outlets

Chinese banks withdraw from personal precious metals agency business en masse — 3 outlets

China’s FX market ran steadily in August, SAFE says — 3 outlets

Chinese biologics and CXO firms shift overseas expansion from product exports to capability exports — 2 outlets

Institutions pile into ETFs as new funds build positions quickly — 3 outlets

China releases three high-quality datasets including 4.0 Chinese internet corpus — 1 outlet

Foreign capital inflows into China’s capital markets keep rising — 1 outlet

Six-session limit-up stock warns investors off as H1 net profit falls nearly 60% — 2 outlets

China’s FAST telescope spots lightest, shortest-period double neutron star system — 1 outlet

Newly launched funds build positions fast as institutions step up research — 1 outlet

State media spotlights green technology upgrades lifting value in China’s mining sector — 1 outlet

China rolls out measures to ease operating and financing strains for SMEs — 1 outlet

People’s Daily urges faster buildout of modern industrial system — 2 outlets

Chinese firms announce 13-day combined Mid-Autumn and National Day holiday break — 3 outlets

ABC Life Insurance launches 2026 financial education week — 3 outlets

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 17 September 2026 07:29 CST.

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