【Financial News Broadcast】Global First! Major Breakthrough in Diabetes Treatment! Huawei Releases Next-Generation AI Data Infrastructure

Macroeconomic Developments

The Ministry of Finance plans to issue a renewal of the 2026 Book-Entry Bond with interest (Fourth Phase) for the first time. The renewal bond is a 3-year fixed-rate interest-bearing bond. The competitive bidding total face value is 175 billion yuan, with no additional bids from Class A members. The coupon rate for this renewal bond remains the same as that of similar bonds issued previously, at 1.32%. The start date for interest accrual and repayment arrangements are the same as those of previous issues. Interest begins accruing on February 25, 2026, with annual payments on February 25 each year (or postponed if on a holiday). The principal will be repaid and the final interest paid on February 25, 2029. The bidding will take place from 10:35 to 11:35 a.m. on March 20, 2026.

Two departments: Strengthen management of basic service fees for inclusive childcare institutions and gradually promote free preschool education.

The National Development and Reform Commission and the Office of the State Council Women and Children Working Committee issued opinions on promoting child-friendly development across society, including continuous improvement of public service policies for free or preferential treatment for children. Strengthen management of basic service fees for inclusive childcare institutions and gradually implement free preschool education. Incorporate the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into the national immunization program, providing free vaccination for girls aged 13 and above. Guide the development of child-friendly hospitals. Promote the establishment of 0-3 years old children’s emergency and critical care 24-hour green channels. Encourage primary and secondary schools to prioritize opening sports facilities to children during holidays and other periods. Offer price reductions for minors visiting scenic spots, and encourage scenic spots with conditions to appropriately raise the height and age limits for free children’s tickets through proper procedures. Ensure free or discounted access for minors at red tourism sites and patriotic education bases. Facilitate convenient travel for children on urban buses, subways, and at transportation hubs like stations and airports. Support the opening of school buses in eligible areas. Encourage ride-hailing platforms to prioritize responses to passengers traveling with infants and young children. Railways and airlines to offer priority ticketing and boarding services for infants and their guardians. Airlines are encouraged to launch family discount packages and unaccompanied minor escort services.

World’s First! China achieves regenerative islet transplantation, opening new avenues for diabetes treatment.

According to CCTV News, the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Molecular and Cellular Sciences Center (Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology) announced that the Cheng Xin research team, in collaboration with the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital) led by Professor Yin Hao, recently achieved the first worldwide minimally invasive transplantation of regenerative islets (E-islet) derived from autologous and allogeneic stem cells, successfully restoring pancreatic function and blood sugar regulation in type 1 diabetes patients. The results have been published online in the international journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

Bauxite prices halved; the world’s largest bauxite exporter prepares to act.

According to CCTV Finance, multiple foreign media reports indicate that Guinea, the world’s largest producer of bauxite, is negotiating with mining companies to control market supply and curb the decline in raw material prices. Since early 2025, bauxite prices, a key raw material for alumina production, have nearly halved. One major reason for the sharp drop is a significant increase in supply, far exceeding market absorption capacity. Guinea accounts for about 70% of global bauxite supply, with exports reaching 183 million tons in 2025, a 25% increase year-on-year.

Iranian Foreign Minister reaffirms that the Hormuz Strait blockade targets only enemies.

According to CCTV International, on March 16, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stated at a press conference in Tehran that Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is only aimed at “enemies,” specifically “those countries and their allies that unjustly attack our nation.” Amir-Abdollahian said that the U.S. and other countries launched large-scale attacks on Iran, demanding “unconditional surrender,” yet now they seek help from others regarding security in the Strait of Hormuz—while Iran has not communicated any messages to the U.S. since the conflict began.

Financial Institutions

The China Development Bank’s loans to advanced manufacturing and strategic emerging industries increased by 23% year-on-year in the first two months.

According to CCTV News, on the 17th, the China Development Bank reported that in the first two months of this year, it issued 75.8 billion yuan in loans supporting advanced manufacturing and strategic emerging industries, a 23% increase compared to the same period last year. Key support was given to major projects in integrated circuits, new materials, new energy vehicles, and high-end equipment manufacturing.

JPMorgan Chase appoints Liu Bowei as Vice Chairman of Asia-Pacific Investment Banking and Zhang Yi as Co-Head of China Investment Banking.

On March 17, JPMorgan Chase announced the appointment of Liu Bowei as Vice Chairman of Asia-Pacific Investment Banking and Zhang Yi as Co-Head of China Investment Banking. Liu Bowei previously served on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange Listing Committee and played a key role in several major IPO projects for Chinese companies. Zhang Yi has over 20 years of investment banking experience and previously worked at Goldman Sachs.

Market Data

GEM Index drops 2.29%, major financial sectors outperform.

Today, the three major A-share indices opened high but declined during the session, with the GEM Index falling over 2%. At close, the Shanghai Composite Index declined 0.85%, the Shenzhen Component Index fell 1.87%, and the GEM Index dropped 2.29%. The financial sector performed counter to the trend, with Aijian Group hitting the daily limit. The real estate sector rose, with Jingneng Real Estate, Jingtou Development, and Zhongzhou Holdings hitting the limit. The chemical fiber sector strengthened, with Zhongfu Shenyan and Shuangxin Materials hitting the limit. Wind power concept stocks showed some activity, including Huadian Liaoning and Energy Saving Wind Power. Insurance, banking, securities, and real estate sectors led gains; communication equipment, mineral products, components, and semiconductors declined.

Hang Seng Index rose 0.13%, Hang Seng Tech Index fell 0.08%.

On March 17, Hong Kong stocks closed with the Hang Seng Index up 0.13% and the Hang Seng Tech Index down 0.08%. Semiconductor, electrical equipment, and energy chemical sectors declined most. Yau Cai Securities surged 46.7% upon resumption of trading, and Ant Group’s takeover was approved.

Both markets saw financing increases of 9.721 billion yuan.

As of March 16, the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s margin financing balance was 1.3402 trillion yuan, up 50.82 million yuan from the previous trading day; the Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s margin financing balance was 1.2943 trillion yuan, up 46.39 million yuan; total financing across both markets reached 2.63455 trillion yuan, an increase of 97.21 million yuan from the previous day.

Company News

Hong Kong Airlines raises international fuel surcharges again; Air China and China Southern follow suit.

According to First Financial, to cope with rising fuel prices, Hong Kong Airlines announced on March 12 an increase in fuel surcharges. Today, it notified that from March 18, the surcharge for short-haul flights from Hong Kong to Asia will rise from HKD 212 to HKD 290; long-haul flights to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East will increase from HKD 739 to HKD 1,164. Air China and China Southern have also notified some agents of adjustments to international fuel surcharges, so tickets should be booked promptly.

Apple’s COO Sabih Khan visits Shenzhen.

According to 21st Century Business Herald, today Apple’s COO Sabih Khan and other executives visited Shenzhen, touring the Apple Application Research Laboratory in Futian Free Trade Zone in the morning. The lab, operational since 2024, is Apple’s latest application research facility in China, located near key manufacturing and assembly bases. It collaborates closely with nearly 200 suppliers, with sample turnaround times as short as one day. The executives will also visit several supply chain companies in Shenzhen, marking Apple’s first high-level visit to China in 2026.

Huawei launches new AI data infrastructure for AI inference scenarios.

At the Huawei Data Storage 2026 Spring Launch on March 17, Huawei announced a new AI data infrastructure designed for AI inference scenarios, including the AI Data Platform for central training and inference, and the FusionCube A1000 hyper-converged appliance for branch edge inference. The goal is to upgrade AI inference experience, improve efficiency, reduce deployment barriers, and accelerate AI commercial cycles. The AI Data Platform features knowledge bases, KV Cache acceleration, and memory modules, managed via UCM technology to improve inference accuracy by 30%. The FusionCube A1000 supports full-stack deployment compatible with mainstream AI models, reducing AI application rollout time by 80% and increasing computing resource utilization by 30%.

Fuyao Glass: 2025 net profit of 9.312 billion yuan, up 24% year-on-year.

Fuyao Glass (600660) announced that in 2025, revenue reached 45.787 billion yuan, up 16.65% year-on-year; net profit was 9.312 billion yuan, an increase of 24.20%.