Daily Buzz: 30 September 2025

Israel accepts Trump's latest Gaza peace plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accepted Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan after talks with the US president in Washington. But before the guns go silent, Netanyahu will have to sell it to the far right-wing politicians who underpin his government afloat, and Hamas, which just received the plan, will have to agree to it. If the group rejects the plan, Netanyahu said Israel "will finish the job" of a military takeover of Gaza.

The plan broadly proposes an end to military operations, the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas and the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to the embattled territory. A "board of peace," perhaps led by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, would take over temporary administration of Gaza, with Hamas having no role in its future governance. Muslim nations Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia welcomed the peace initiative, saying in a joint statement that they want peace to lead eventually to a Palestinian state.

The Palestinian Authority, a Hamas rival that at least on paper governs the West Bank, also welcomed the plan, though it's unclear if the organization will have any postwar role in Gaza.

China to meet next month to approve new Five-Year Plan

China will meet in October to approve that nation's 15th Five-Year Plan, which begins next year and will lay out priorities for the country's next phase of economic and social development. The meeting will take place in Beijing from October 20-23. A high level meeting of the Communist Party, chaired by President Xi Jinping on Monday, discussed major details of the plan, which will emphasize deepening reforms, further opening of the Chinese economy and growth incentives.

Pro-EU party retains office in Moldova election

Moldovan President Maia Sandu and her pro-EU party have won parliamentary elections amid widespread reports of Russian interference trying to steer the vote toward a pro-Moscow bloc. Sandu had warned that democracy in her country, which borders Ukraine, was a stake.

Denmark reports more drone incursions

Danish authorities banned all civilian drone use after reporting more unidentified drones in the nation's airspace as Copenhagen prepares to host two European summits this week. An investigation into recent drone incursions that have temporarily closed some Danish airports hasn't ruled out Russian involvement, despite Kremlin denials. Denmark is a member of NATO, which has been on high alert after Russian drones penetrated the airspace of Poland and Romania, and a Russian fighter jet flew over Estonian skies.

Top Business

JD.com and Miniso units plan IPOs in Hong Kong

Two more Chinese mainland companies have signaled intentions to list in Hong Kong, where a succession of Chinese firms have completed successful share sales this year. JD.com unit JingDong Industrials, a leading Chinese provider of industrial supply chain technology, is seeking to raise US$500 million in an initial public offering, perhaps by the end of October, according to information unveiled by Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The proposed listing has been approved by China's security regulator. JD spun off the unit in 2023, retaining a 79 percent stake.

Chinese retailer Miniso plans to spin off its Top Toy unit and list it in Hong Kong. Top Toy is riding the consumer craze for collectible toys that has catapulted Pop Mart to global prominence. The brand now has 293 outlets on the mainland and is following Pop Mart into international markets. Miniso said in a filing that it has hired UBS, JP Morgan and CLSA to advise it on the share sale. The size of the proposed sale hasn't been disclosed.

China opens its arms to foreign science talent as US narrows its welcome mat

China's new K visa for foreign science and technology talent takes effect on October 1, aiming to attract top tier foreign professionals in sectors such as biotech, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and semiconductors. It comes as the US tightens its visa restrictions on foreign skilled talent and makes deep cuts in science and research budgets.

CNN reported at least 85 US-based scientists have joined Chinese research institutions this year in an exodus of top talent that could have significant repercussions in a bilateral race to dominate science and technology fields. It cited an array of prominent scientists jumping ship, including a Princeton nuclear physicist, a Nasa engineer, a prominent neurobiologist, and AI experts.

Electronic Arts in largest ever private equity buyout

Electronic Arts, the US maker of video games like "Madden NFL" and "Battlefield," is being acquired by an investor group, including Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, in an all-cash deal valued at US$55 billion, the largest private equity-funded buyout in history, AP reported. The investors also include Affinity Partners, whose chief executive is President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Silver Lake Partners.

Economy & Markets

China benchmark stock index hits another 10-year high

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 1 percent on Monday to another 10-year high as a bull run largely fueled by technology stocks continued. It closed at 3,985 points, up 15 percent this year and 25 percent higher than the end of September 2024. Energy, brokerages and industrial metals were among the day's top movers. Chinese markets will be closed for an eight-day holiday starting on Wednesday. Historically, there is a 60 percent chance that Chinese stocks will rise after the National Day holiday. One survey reveals that over 65 percent of private equity funds will hold positions of over 70 percent during the holiday.

Trump to impose import tariff for foreign-made movies

President Donald Trump said he will impose a 100 percent import tariff on movies made outside the US but gave no date for its implementation. The tariff would affect both US and foreign studios, including those of China, whose animated and action films have been making headway at US box offices.

US tightens restricted exports blacklist

The US Commerce Department expanded its restricted export list to include subsidiaries owned 50 percent or more by companies on the list. It's aimed at closing loopholes that circumvent curbs on transfer of chipmaking equipment and other technologies.

US government shutdown looms

The clock began ticking down toward a midnight Tuesday deadline, when the current US budget expires and Congressional Republicans and Democrats are still bickering over a funding bill to keep the government open. Vice President JD Vance said he believes a government shutdown will happen after a meeting with Congressional leaders failed to break the deadlock.

Australian beef replaces US supplies to China

Australian beef has replaced US cattle industry supplies to China amid Trump tariff policies. US shipments to China, previously valued at US$120 million a month, have largely disappeared. The loss to American farmers is similar to the soybean trade, where Chinese purchases have shifted to Brazil and Argentina from the US.

Corporate

BYD forecasts exports to comprise 20 percent of all vehicle sales

China's BYD, the world's largest maker of electric vehicles, said it expects to export between 800,000 and 1 million vehicles this year, accounting for about 20 percent of total company sales. The company predicted that exports will continue to grow as a proportion of sales in coming years.

Galactic Energy's successful fundraising

Galactic Energy, a privately owned Chinese rocket company, raised 2.4 billion yuan US$3.4 billion) in a Series D fundraiser, the largest funding for a private company in the commercial space industry and the second largest for any company in the sector after Yuanxin Satellite's 6.7 billion funding in 2024, Shanghai Securities News reported.

Bright Dairy unit to sell some New Zealand assets

China's Bright Dairy & Food said its New Zealand subsidiary Synlait Milk will sell a manufacturing facility, a canning site and a warehouse to Abbot Nutrition NZ for US$170 million. Bright holds a 39 percent stake in the unit, which produces powered milk and other products.

Oppo targets GoPro and DJI in smart imaging devices

Chinese handset maker Oppo told Yicai Global that it has initiated a smart imaging device project and plans to launch the first products next year. The company's expansion targets competition with market players GoPro and DJI.

Unisonal Aluminum signs deal with German automaker

Shanghai-based Unisonal Aluminum said it expects revenue of 2.3 billion yuan (US$322 million) in the next seven years under a deal with a major German automaker to supply battery trays and related parts for electric vehicles. The name of the carmaker wasn't disclosed.

Dalian shipbuilder received large European order

Dalian-based Hengli Shipbuilding said it secured an order from a European shipowner valued at as much as US$600 million for four very large crude oil tankers. The name of the buyer wasn't disclosed. Delivery of the vessels will begin in the first half of 2027.

Hongfuhan invests in Congo solar power plant

Shenzhen-based Hongfuhan Technology, a supplier of precision components for electronic devises, said it will invest 1.4 billion yuan (US$198 million) to build a solar power plant in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with annual capacity of 200 megawatts.