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Commodities

Commodities
Commodity market action from around the world with a focus on the commodities that matter most to investors in Hong Kong and China.
An exhibitor (right) shows her bags to visitors during the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha, Hunan province, on June 13, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
China-Africa relations

Opinion | Beijing offers leverage for Africa. Policymakers are now applying it

Partnerships with China are no longer a debate for economies across the continent but a platform for their own development paths.

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HKEX

Hong Kong vows stronger exchange with reforms, bond futures and gold push

United States

Outside In | US the ultimate loser as Iran war ushers in global power upheaval

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China energy security

China green-energy costs seen undercutting traditional energy as capacity soars

Energy-storage chairman eyes ‘0.1-yuan era’ for equipment as solar and wind projects gradually sideline coal in the nation’s power-generation mix.

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A boy looks at a table demonstrating photovoltaic power generation at the Green Energy Pavilion during the 10th China-South Asia Expo in Kunming, Yunnan province, on June 13. Photo: Xinhua
Malaysia

Video | Dirt-cheap ‘durian tsunami’ sweeps Malaysia

The oversupply of premium Musang King durians has caused prices to fall to as low as 9 ringgit (US$2) per kg.

China food security

Global farming, Chinese food imports at stake as El Nino threatens drought

Sharpest risks to occur in the Global South, with countries facing conflict and economic stress being the worst hit: United Nations’ FAO.

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Japan

Macroscope | Why Japan’s proposal for G7 critical mineral stockpiles is a bad idea

Tokyo’s overtures towards the G7 assume that China is a threat to be countered with economic or security measures.

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(From left) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz prepare for a group picture at Hotel Royal during the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France on June 16. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong stock market

Chinese metal producer MMG to raise US$1.6 billion selling stocks and bonds

Firm to capitalise on AI-led price spike of critical metals used to create chips, generate electricity and support computing power.

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Japan

Japan, Italy to boost tech, critical minerals cooperation

The nations seek closer ties, particularly on supply chains amid concerns about over-reliance on China for critical minerals.

China trade

After US-Iran deal, tanking oil prices, analysts see ‘grey area’ for China firms

‘There’s still uncertainty on the longevity of this deal’, ING analyst says as traders wait to see if sanctions will be lifted while weighing potential for Israeli interference.

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A tanker is seen unloading imported crude oil at a terminal port in China’s Shandong province on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Asian Angle | Indonesia’s nickel rule changes are spooking Chinese investors

A leaked grievance letter reveals how Jakarta’s resource nationalism risks driving essential Chinese capital away.

A worker processes nickel at plant in Sorowako, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Photo: EPA
Investing

Why gold may rebound 13% this year – and what could hold it back

Metal’s upside rests on central-bank demand and easing oil shock, but higher yields and AI spending may temper recovery, money managers say.

Diplomacy

Outside In | Central Asia is finally coming into its own

The region’s five countries, inadvertent beneficiaries of Chinese infrastructure investment, then wars and tariffs elsewhere, are finding their feet.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s hunt for Russian oil tests Anwar’s ‘friends with all’ policy

Sourcing crude from Moscow to counter Middle East supply shocks risks drawing a backlash from the West.

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Oil pouring from a barrel. Malaysia is seeking new oil sources, including Russia and Turkey. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Why Hongkongers should be very interested in the Pinglu Canal

China-Asean trade is expected to surge as the Pinglu Canal synergises with the Hainan free-trade zone – creating demand for services Hong Kong can provide.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Fifa World Cup 2026

Gold-laden World Cup trophy’s value surges 157% – how much is the bullion worth?

While priceless to players, all that shimmers in the iconic Fifa statue has seen its intrinsic value skyrocket amid a historic rally since the last tournament.

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Science

Tibet quartz discovery boosts China’s self-sufficiency push for hi-tech materials

China’s discovery of rare quartz used to make solar panels and semiconductors could help rewrite US import dominance.

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China consumption

Gold slump: China’s sales plunge as precious metal’s price dips

While China’s interest in gold is unlikely to fade, investment-grade product sales have dwindled after 15 months of retail growth.

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Gold sales have slumped in China as the global spot price drops amid consumer caution and an unstable economic outlook. Photo: Getty Images
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue

Past failures haunt the Quad’s US$20 billion critical minerals push

The initiative aims to break China’s near-monopoly, but private-sector caution and a history of unfulfilled pledges stand in the way.

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China energy security

Global oil stockpiles could fall to ‘critical levels’ by summer, IEA warns

Even China’s inventories are now starting to decline, with Gulf oil supplies likely to take months to recover even if a peace deal is agreed.

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Japan

Japanese MP’s claim China eyes Antarctic ‘treasure trove’ dismissed

A polar law expert says the continent’s strict mining ban has no expiry date, despite concerns raised in Japan’s parliament.

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An aerial view of China’s Qinling Station, the country’s fifth research station in Antarctica, in 2024. Photo: Xinhua
Science

Can China’s caesium-from-brine tech cut reliance on Canadian, Australian ores?

Research team lead says while China follows research on salt lake resource extraction, ‘most efforts focus on lithium and potassium’.

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The Tanco mine in Canada is among the major global commercial sources of caesium. China’s Sinomine Resources controls operations here. Photo: Handout
Asean

Opinion | Will the US’ Pax Silica deliver for the Philippines?

The Pax Silica plan to make the Philippines a vital node in a US-led tech supply chain is built on seemingly speculative promises and risks riling China.

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Indonesia

Chasing billions: Indonesia’s commodity export crackdown sows confusion

New export rules promise billions in recovered revenue, but analysts warn the ensuing chaos could cost more than the gains.

Gold in Hong Kong

Low-cost gold ETF launched as Hong Kong links bullion trading with blockchain

New fund gives retail investors physical gold access from US$45, with tokenised design primed for future trading on regulated platforms.

The launch comes as gold prices fluctuate amid geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic uncertainty. Photo: DPA
China energy security

Stockpiles, distribution hubs: inside China’s drive to Hormuz-proof its economy

Beijing is bolstering strategic reserves and accelerating the buildout of distribution hubs, as China rushes to adapt to the Middle East crisis.

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang (second left) quizzes officials about an oil reserve facility during his trip to China’s eastern Zhejiang province earlier this week. Photo: Xinhua
US, Israel war on Iran

Gold continues decline as inflation fears outweigh hope of end to Iran war

The metal is down nearly 20 per cent from its all-time high in January as investors focus on the Federal Reserve’s plans to combat inflation.

HKEX

Open Questions | Charles Li on making Hong Kong a magnet for global IPOs

As HKEX CEO, Charles Li forged Stock Connect link to mainland markets. He says an ‘IPO connect’ could draw international companies to list in Hong Kong.

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