Analysts said the verdict will make it easier for Lee, if he is acquitted, or harder, if he is convicted (again) to shape Samsung's future; an acquittal would give him room for major strategic decisions

"The shelving is a surprise and makes us wonder if there are issues behind the scenes that we aren't aware of," one analyst said, but news that Jack Ma's family trust was selling shares likely also hurt the stock

Companies have been flocking to borrow from banks on the mainland because of their rock-bottom interest rates but most of the loans are for use on the mainland, in Hong Kong or bilateral dealings

US officials are investigating if Applied Materials broke sanctions by sending gear worth 'hundreds of millions' to top China chipmaker via a unit in South Korea in 2021 and 2022, sources say

All other members back US push for economies to boost opportunities for disadvantaged groups and incorporate clean energy and carbon-emission reduction goals in their trade policies

Tencent is the second large Chinese technology company to look for domestic alternatives to Nvidia amid tightening US sanctions

Xi came into the meeting looking for respect from the US, and also seeking to improve fast-cooling business dealings with the world's biggest economy

Chinese IT groups say they have built the fastest long-distance internet links and can transmit data at 1.2 terabits per second

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index saw its best day in four months, while the Nikkei rose 2.5% and most other Asian markets and currencies were also lifted

For US businesses, the dinner will particularly be a chance to hear directly from the leader of the world’s second-biggest economy as they search for ways to navigate its economic slowdown

Analysts say the BOJ is looking for an appropriate time to raise interest rates. Many experts believe the policy change could occur in April.

Beijing bought $14-billion worth of chipmaking equipment from the Netherlands and other countries this year, before they imposed bans to compliment the US-led effort