But falls were limited by China surprisingly keeping its benchmark lending rates steady for the third straight month at its April fixing

Lee, formerly Hong Kong's security secretary, was one 11 officials hit with sanctions "for undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy and restricting freedom of expression"

Covid-19 related suspension of Tesla's Shanghai factory, costs of ramping up new factories in Berlin and Texas and rising supply chain costs weigh on Tesla first-quarter earnings

Smaller cities have been hammered by falling home prices for seven months since September, the latest tally of 70 major cities by China's statistics bureau shows

Financial support should be also prioritised to key sectors including freight logistics and consumption, the People's Bank of China said in a statement

Zijin said it signed a deal with Xanadu Mines to buy a 19.9% stake at A$0.04 ($0.0296) per share, and another 50% stake in Xanadu unit Khuiten Metals for $35 million.

In contrast to most major economies that have started to tighten monetary policy to combat inflation, China has stepped up easing to cushion the slowdown

Some Taiwanese firms making chip and electronic components in the eastern Chinese city of Kunshan said deliveries would be postponed until next month

The Fed began raising interest rates last month, and is expected to ramp up its rate hikes starting next month to slow demand for goods and services

The EU is spearheading a drive to boost domestic production of rare earths and super strong magnets used in EVs and wind turbines to cut dependence on China

The cabinet, including five women, immediately set to work cementing relations with China as it battles a downwards economic spiral

A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said officials would raise the issue with the Solomon Islands on a planned visit this week.