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Mining trucks load lithium sulphate in Atacama Salt Flat, Chile, on July 29, 2024. Photo: Anadolu via Getty Images
Zimbabwe

Tianqi Lithium favours China’s salt lakes over Africa amid resource nationalism

In response to Zimbabwe’s export ban, two Chinese companies have promised to build a domestic lithium sulphate plant.

Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers target global expansion at Auto China amid energy shock

Electric & new energy vehicles

CATL to supercharge China’s EV sector with revamped battery tech

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Banking & finance

Hong Kong reasserts role as safe haven in global finance amid Iran conflict

The city’s safe-harbour appeal for capital and investments grows as China’s support strengthens its edge while Dubai faces pressure.

Helping boost Hong Kong are a pegged exchange rate, free capital flows and support from China’s economic strength. Photo: Jelly Tse
Helping boost Hong Kong are a pegged exchange rate, free capital flows and support from China’s economic strength. Photo: Jelly Tse
Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s lithium giant Ganfeng sees profit jump as EV, ESS battery demand soars

The world’s top lithium producer forecasts a strong turnaround as global decarbonisation and AI-driven energy storage fuel demand.

Commodities

Geopolitics to drive Hong Kong mining fundraising amid ‘supercycle’, experts say

Hong Kong could see more mining IPOs as global demand for resources accelerates, though national security issues may slow deals: experts.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s EV battery giant CATL to set up mining arm to secure supply chain

Global energy shock accelerates CATL’s upstream push as demand for EV batteries and storage systems surges.

CATL reported a net profit of 20.74 billion yuan in the three months to March, up 48.5 per cent from the previous quarter and beating analysts’ estimates. Photo: AFP
CATL reported a net profit of 20.74 billion yuan in the three months to March, up 48.5 per cent from the previous quarter and beating analysts’ estimates. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Solid-state battery firms in China and US charged up for IPO run

A trio of battery developers are advancing listing plans as high oil prices and geopolitical tensions boost interest in energy storage.

Electric & new energy vehicles

China amps up battery buildout to ‘10 times US 2025 capacity’

China’s battery expansion plans highlight a widening gap with the US, as renewable energy demand fuels rapid growth in storage systems.

Banking & finance

Yiwu market owner eyes Hong Kong IPO to support overseas expansion

Hong Kong listing plan comes after the company reported net profit of 4.2 billion yuan for 2025, up 36.8 per cent from a year earlier.

A shop owner holds a toy depicting US President Donald Trump at the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, Zhejiang province on April 10, 2025. Photo: AFP
Commodities

Gold may reverse course once Iran war ends, Fed adopts policy easing

Gold has been on a wild ride this year, surging as much as 25 per cent before the war in Iran wiped out almost all the gains.

Customers look at gold jewelry at a store in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China on March 23, 2026. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Customers look at gold jewelry at a store in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China on March 23, 2026. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Business of climate change

Ganfeng Lithium sees surge in battery demand amid China-US energy rivalry

Executives project an ‘explosive growth’ in energy storage, with Chinese firms extending their lead amid AI and data centre demand.

China stock market

Iran war hits stocks as Hong Kong IPO boom falters

Conflict in the Middle East hammered Asian stocks in March, adding to the challenges facing Hong Kong’s IPO rush.

Semiconductors

South Korea turns to Russia for naphtha as Asia’s chip industry feels squeeze

South Korea’s return to Russian naphtha – vital for semiconductor manufacturing – highlights Asia’s fragile supply chain amid Iran conflict.

South Korea relies on imports for about 45 per cent of its naphtha demand. Photo: Shutterstock
Banking & finance

Hong Kong tycoon-backed start-up raises US$300 million to scale battery push

The California-based firm will use new funding to scale manufacturing and expand globally, with Hong Kong anchoring its regional push.

EnerVenue, named by Time magazine as one of the top 10 US green technology companies in 2025, has developed processes to lower the total life-cycle costs of energy storage systems. Photo: Handout
EnerVenue, named by Time magazine as one of the top 10 US green technology companies in 2025, has developed processes to lower the total life-cycle costs of energy storage systems. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks fall with Asia as Iran conflict drives oil prices higher

Most Asian markets retreat as surging oil prices fuel concerns over the economic fallout, while aluminium producers rally on supply fears.

Hong Kong stock market

China’s CNOOC to boost oil and gas output amid Middle East strife

Country’s largest producer aims to increase output by up to 3 per cent from 2025’s record level.

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China food security

China rushes to stabilise fertiliser market as Iran war chokes off imports

China is pushing firms to release their fertiliser reserves in time for the vital spring planting season, as supplies of key inputs tighten.

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Smoke rises over Tehran following an explosion on March 7. The US-Israel war on Iran has disrupted global fertiliser supply chains, creating issues for Chinese producers. Photo: Reuters
Smoke rises over Tehran following an explosion on March 7. The US-Israel war on Iran has disrupted global fertiliser supply chains, creating issues for Chinese producers. Photo: Reuters
Mergers & Acquisitions

China’s Zijin Mining clinches US$2.6b Chifeng Gold takeover in expansion drive

The acquisition boosts Zijin’s reserves amid resource nationalism, giving it control of Chifeng’s assets in Asia and Africa.

Commodities

Gold slides as hawkish Fed and strong US dollar override geopolitical fears

Market watchers point to fading hopes of interest rate cuts and oil-driven inflation concerns as key drivers of the decline.

Chinese offshore investment

China’s multibillion-dollar minerals investment lifts foreign economies: report

Country has invested more than US$120 billion in overseas mining and mineral processing projects since 2023, study says.

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The Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe plant in Goromonzi, Zimbabwe, is run by China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rebound after oil falls as Trump says Iran war could end soon

US objectives in Iran are ‘pretty well complete’ but the war could continue if Tehran attempted to stop global oil supplies, Trump says.

US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened a larger attack on Iran if it blocks supplies of oil. Photo: AFP
US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened a larger attack on Iran if it blocks supplies of oil. Photo: AFP
Energy

Oil above US$100 may persist as Goldman warns rally not over

Investors brace for prolonged disruption after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, sending crude to levels unseen since the 2022 energy shock.

Mainland China

China’s copper crash: from investment fad to scrap in a month

A brief speculative frenzy amid skyrocketing gold and silver prices leaves some retail investors holding shiny kilogram bars they can’t sell.

Hong Kong budget 2026-27

Hong Kong seeks to hone edge as offshore yuan hub, digital-asset front runner

Market participants largely welcome Paul Chan’s renewed push to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international financial centre.

Hong Kong’s renewed push to strengthen its position as an international financial centre has been welcomed. Photo: Felix Wong
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