China-U.S. Tech Tensions: China’s commerce ministry says it is “strongly dissatisfied” with the Pentagon’s updated list of Chinese firms tied to military support, naming Alibaba, Baidu, BYD, NIO and solar makers Trina Solar and JA Solar, warning of “resolute” retaliation. Philippines-China Friction: Manila’s defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. links Beijing’s sanctions on him and family to Philippine moves against alleged Chinese-linked illegal activities, as China bars entry to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong Capital Markets: Hong Kong fundraising hit a five-year high in Q1 2026, with tech driving IPO and secondary listings to $13.3bn, even as regulators face a backlog of unapproved applications. IPO Shockwave for Asia: SpaceX blocked Chinese and Hong Kong investors from its IPO over U.S. export controls and ITAR, adding to concerns about liquidity and access for regional markets. Local Economy & Policy: Hong Kong is testing nearly 150kg drones for construction logistics across multiple sites under a regulatory sandbox, aiming to cut safety risks and maintenance costs. Finance Outlook: A ManpowerGroup survey points to the strongest hiring outlook in Taiwan’s financial services sector for Q3, supported by IT talent demand. Markets & Commodities: Gold is set for a second weekly loss as rate-rise expectations build, while Asian stocks were mixed amid oil volatility tied to Middle East peace hopes. Luxury Watch Demand: Rolex raised prices of gold watches again, including in Hong Kong, signaling continued strength in premium demand.