AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

&
""
Latest by
  • Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong Acknowledges Ambiguity in Emotional Abuse Clause of Child Welfare Law
    Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong Acknowledges Ambiguity in Emotional Abuse Clause of Child Welfare Law Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong officially acknowledged the ambiguity surrounding the 'emotional abuse' clause of the Child Welfare Law, which has been identified as a major cause of the decline in teacher authority and indiscriminate reporting against educators. She expressed her commitment to actively collaborate on legal amendments.During a parliamentary question-and-answer session on the 14th, Jeong and Rep. Jeong Seong-guk of the People Power Party discussed the issues with the current Child Welfare Law, which they agreed is stifling the educational environment.Rep. Jeong highlighted the frustrating realities faced by educators, citing specific examples. He questioned whether instructing a student to clean up after littering or asking a student who failed to complete homework to do so constitutes educational guidance or child abuse. He pointed out that even a student being bitten by a mosquito at school could lead to a teacher being reported for child abuse.He specifically noted that the Child Welfare Law is referred to as the 'grim reaper law' in educational settings due to the ambiguity surrounding emotional abuse. He emphasized that the lack of clear definitions regarding what constitutes emotional abuse is causing significant distress among teachers and strongly urged for the swift processing of his proposed amendment to the Child Welfare Law, which he introduced as the first bill in the 22nd National Assembly.In response, Minister Jeong expressed deep empathy for the challenges faced by teachers. She stated, 'The fundamental spirit of the Child Welfare Law, which prohibits any form of child abuse, must be respected.' However, she agreed with the concerns raised about the ambiguity of the definitions and scope of emotional abuse, which can lead to confusion and potential misuse in the field.Minister Jeong also indicated her willingness to actively participate in discussions regarding the pending amendments to the Child Welfare Law in the National Assembly. She promised to consider the intent of the five existing laws aimed at protecting teacher rights and to comprehensively review relevant constitutional court and Supreme Court precedents when evaluating the proposed amendments.Furthermore, she announced plans for inter-departmental cooperation and the development of effective measures that go beyond mere amendments to legal provisions. Minister Jeong remarked, 'Simply revising the regulations of the Child Welfare Law will not adequately address the complex issues in the field.' She pledged to work closely with the Ministry of Education to establish practical guidelines that can be effectively implemented and to create a comprehensive system for assessment and support.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 16:24:00
  • KOSPI Volatility Drops from 4.89% in July to 1.80% in September
    KOSPI Volatility Drops from 4.89% in July to 1.80% in September Domestic stock market volatility has been rapidly decreasing recently. The average volatility of the KOSPI has fallen to around 1% in September, while the number of instances triggering the volatility interruption mechanism (VI) and the excess disclosures indicating price distortions in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have also decreased. This trend indicates a shift away from sharp fluctuations in both the index and individual stocks, as well as in the ETF market. According to the Korea Exchange on September 14, the KOSPI's average monthly volatility recorded ±1.80% as of September 14. This marks a decline from 2.47% in August and is less than half of the 4.89% recorded in July. The number of VI triggers, which indicate sharp price fluctuations in individual stocks, has also shown a clear downward trend. The total number of VI triggers for the KOSPI and KOSDAQ from September 1 to September 14 stands at 4,062. This is about 40% of the total 10,115 instances recorded in August, and if this trend continues, the total for September is expected to fall below 10,000. Previously, the number of VI triggers soared to 22,060 in July and reached 21,257 in June, indicating a period of high volatility. Price distortions in the ETF market are also decreasing. There have been 83 excess disclosures of ETF price distortions in September, a significant drop from 507 in August and a larger decrease compared to 864 in July and 1,299 in June. The distortion rate refers to the difference between the market price of an ETF and its net asset value (NAV). Increased market volatility can make it difficult for liquidity providers (LPs) to offer buy and sell quotes that reflect market conditions, leading to greater discrepancies between market prices and actual values. The reduction in ETF distortion disclosures is particularly significant as it indicates increased price stability in the market. ETFs are influenced not only by the prices of underlying assets but also by supply and demand and trading volume. When market volatility is high, the gap between actual value and market price can widen. However, as volatility decreases, the likelihood of such price distortions diminishes. The strengthening of distortion rate management by financial authorities is also believed to have had an impact. The Financial Services Commission has tightened the management obligations for distortion rates of ETFs and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) since August 19, lowering the thresholds from 3% domestically and 6% internationally to 2% and 5%, respectively. As market volatility has decreased and LP management standards have been tightened, the stability of ETF prices has improved. A financial industry official stated, "Recently, as market volatility has significantly decreased, instances of sudden expansions in ETF distortion rates have also diminished. From the LP's perspective, it has become much more stable to offer quotes that align with market prices and manage them effectively."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 16:24:00
  • New Smart City Development Underway in Saemangeum with $9 Billion Investment
    New Smart City Development Underway in Saemangeum with $9 Billion Investment On September 11, the Saemangeum waterfront city site was bustling with construction activity, with heavy machinery and mounds of earth visible where a city for approximately 20,000 residents is planned. From the perspective of the North-South Road connecting Zones 1 to 3, landscaping and pipeline work were underway. Although 250 pine trees planted in 2024 were starting to take root, the area still lacked the appearance of a livable city.Saemangeum, which has attracted a $9 billion investment plan from Hyundai Motor Group, is preparing to welcome workers and their families. The key challenge is whether the corporate investment will translate into actual residency. Alongside the construction of industrial facilities, establishing housing and essential living infrastructure has become a priority.According to the Saemangeum Development Agency, the waterfront city will be developed with a total project cost of 1.9985 trillion won over an area of 6.25 square kilometers. The plan aims to accommodate around 20,000 residents, creating a residential hub for employees and their families of the companies that will set up operations there.Ground investigations are currently being conducted at the site of the planned 1st Industrial Complex, where the AI data center and robotics manufacturing facilities will be located. The first project, the AI data center, is set to begin construction in March 2024.Expectations surrounding corporate investment have also impacted the local real estate market. An official from a real estate agency in the Wollyeong-ro area of Gunsan reported that inquiries about nearby commercial properties, land, and apartments surged for a couple of months following the announcement of Hyundai's investment plan in February.The official noted, “At that time, even people were asking about the prices of small agricultural lands in Buan.” However, he added that inquiries have somewhat decreased recently.The first land sale for the waterfront city has been completed. The Saemangeum Development Corporation announced that it sold 67 plots for single-family homes and 2 plots for neighborhood facilities within 31 days of the public offering last November. While this success occurred before the announcement of Hyundai's investment plan in February, it is difficult to directly link it to the effects of Hyundai's investment.This month, the corporation plans to offer an additional 45 plots, including 35 for residential use and 10 for mixed-use, and is preparing to sell apartment land starting next year. However, there will inevitably be a time lag before housing facilities are ready to accommodate workers, as construction and occupancy will take time.Efforts to establish living infrastructure are also ongoing. The corporation signed a memorandum of understanding with the Australian private school Haileybury on September 4, aiming to open an integrated foreign educational institution from kindergarten to high school by 2030. They agreed to collaborate on human and material support and information sharing necessary for establishing the educational institution. Additionally, a partnership was formed with Wonkwang University to provide medical services, although details regarding the hospital's size and construction timeline were not finalized during last month's project briefing.The alignment of corporate investment schedules with the supply of housing and living facilities will be crucial for successful settlement. If the establishment of living infrastructure is delayed, even with job growth, workers may commute from surrounding cities.An official from a real estate agency in the Gwanggyeok-myeon area of Kimje acknowledged that inquiries about land and apartment prices around Saemangeum have increased compared to before, but emphasized that the situation has not yet reached a level that would significantly affect transaction prices or volumes, as factories have not yet been built and workers have not yet moved in. 2026-09-14 16:24:00
  • KOSPI Plummets Over 3% Amid Rate Hike Fears and Rising Oil Prices
    KOSPI Plummets Over 3% Amid Rate Hike Fears and Rising Oil Prices The KOSPI index fell more than 3%, pushed down to the 6600 level due to simultaneous selling by foreign and institutional investors. The decline followed the release of the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August, which heightened expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate hike, compounded by rising international oil prices and concerns over the pace of artificial intelligence (AI) development.On September 14, the Korea Exchange reported that the KOSPI closed at 6684.37, down 225.54 points (3.26%) from the previous trading day.The index opened at 6692.61, down 217.30 points (3.14%), and expanded its losses early in the session. At one point, it dropped to 6654.82, marking a 3.69% decline, but later reduced some of its losses. However, heavy selling from foreign and institutional investors continued, leading to a close below the 6600 mark.In the securities market, foreign and institutional investors sold a net 39.129 trillion won and 17.118 trillion won, respectively, totaling 56.247 trillion won in net selling. Meanwhile, individual investors purchased a net 41.469 trillion won, absorbing the selling pressure.The domestic stock market faced pressure from rising interest rates and oil prices. The U.S. core CPI for August rose 0.3% from the previous month, exceeding market expectations of 0.2%, significantly increasing the likelihood of a rate hike at the September Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. As expectations for a rate increase strengthened, the yield on 10-year U.S. Treasury bonds touched 5% during the session.International oil prices also rose. Following the postponement of a meeting regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and news of a suspension of operations on Saudi Arabia's east-west oil pipeline, Brent crude prices surpassed $108.Additionally, concerns over the pace of AI development have dampened investor sentiment in the semiconductor sector. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, suggested that the pace of AI model improvements should be slowed, a sentiment echoed by Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, raising fears of a slowdown in the AI investment cycle.Most major stocks fell, including Samsung Electronics (-4.05%), SK Hynix (-6.35%), SK Square (-8.17%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (-4.50%), LG Energy Solution (-2.36%), Hyundai Motor (-2.88%), and Samsung Life Insurance (-3.09%). In contrast, Samsung Biologics (0.35%) and KB Financial (2.08%) saw gains.Notably, semiconductor stocks led the decline, reflecting concerns over reduced investment in the sector due to the easing of AI development competition. In addition to SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, SK Square, a value stock, also experienced significant drops.The KOSDAQ index closed at 806.79, down 13.85 points (1.69%) from the previous trading day.In the KOSDAQ market, foreign and institutional investors sold a net 1.231 trillion won and 356 billion won, respectively, while individual investors bought a net 1.514 trillion won.Among the top market capitalization stocks, Alteogen (-2.99%), EcoPro (-3.44%), EcoPro BM (-5.80%), JUSUNG Engineering (-1.44%), Rainbow Robotics (-3.56%), Wonik IPS (-0.18%), IOTech (-3.93%), and Rino Industry (-1.96%) all fell.Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, stated, "The key factor behind today's sharp decline is the controversy over the pace of AI development. It is important to interpret this not as a halt in AI development but as a call to adjust the speed and ensure safety verification. We should be cautious about interpreting this as a slowdown in the investment cycle."He added, "With HBM sold out and SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics holding 83% of the market, we believe this decline is driven more by sentiment than by actual performance. Adjusting the pace of development allows time to transition existing facilities into profitability, and investments in semiconductors, power, and data centers will not decrease."The researcher identified the KOSPI's ability to maintain support at the 6600 level as a potential factor that could change market sentiment. He noted, "If the meeting regarding the Strait of Hormuz resumes and oil prices rebound, it could provide a sense of relief for the market. In the September FOMC, the dot plot and comments from the chair, as well as the response of the 30-year bond yield, will be more important than the rate hike itself, which has already been largely priced in."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 16:20:00
  • Lake Views Drive Apartment Prices Higher in South Korea
    Lake Views Drive Apartment Prices Higher in South Korea Apartment prices vary significantly even within the same living area, depending on whether they offer lake views. Factors such as the actual view from the unit, openness, and orientation are increasingly influencing residential value.According to industry reports, the criteria for selecting apartments now include not just location but also what residents can see from their homes. Within the same living area, the ability to view a lake or park from the living room window, as opposed to being blocked by surrounding buildings, affects both residential satisfaction and market evaluation.A prime example is the area around Gwanggyo Lake Park. As of August 2026, the average price for an 84-square-meter unit at 'Gwanggyo Junghung S-Class,' which has lake views, is approximately 1.785 billion won, up from 1.630 billion won a year earlier.Recent transactions also reflect this trend. An 84-square-meter unit in the same complex sold for 2 billion won in August, marking a record high. The average asking price for similar units currently on the market is around 2 billion won.In contrast, an 84-square-meter unit at 'Gwanggyo Hoban Verdium,' located nearby but lacking lake views, sold for 1.5 billion won in August. This indicates a price difference of about 500 million won between complexes that are physically close but differ in view.Industry experts note that not only lake views but also orientation play a crucial role in determining property value. Units facing south with lake views can secure both sunlight and sightlines, leading to higher market ratings.Similar trends are emerging in other regions. The area around Seongseong Lake Park in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, is gaining attention as a new waterfront residential town.According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's real transaction disclosure system, an 84-square-meter unit at 'e-Pyeonhansesang Seongseong Lake Park,' which offers a south-facing view of the park, was sold for 624.1 million won in early August. In contrast, a similar unit at 'Cheonan I-Park City 2,' which has limited view options, sold for 594.9 million won around the same time, reflecting a price difference of about 30 million won despite being in adjacent living areas.Given this atmosphere, apartment complexes with waterfront views are expected to attract interest in the upcoming second half of the year.POSCO E&C plans to launch 'The Sharp Cheonan Lacone' in October in the Buseong 2 Urban Development Area of Seobuk-gu, Cheonan. The complex will consist of 1,290 units across 10 buildings, ranging from 84 to 118 square meters, with all units oriented to the south and designed for optimal light and ventilation. Notably, the 118-square-meter units will be specially designed to offer views of Seongseong Lake Park.Hyundai Engineering will also offer 'Hillstate Geoje Signature' in October in Okpo-dong, Geoje City, with 1,963 units ranging from 84 to 165 square meters, some of which will have views of Okpo Port.In Jinju, 'Jinju Panmun District Lake Summit Welga' is set to be supplied on September 18, featuring 690 units across 27 floors, with some units expected to offer views of Jinjang Lake, including a sky lounge on the top floor for enjoying the scenery.As demand for comfortable living spaces rises, lake and park views are likely to become key differentiators that enhance the price stability and appeal of new developments.An industry insider stated, “As consumer expectations for residential comfort increase, the demand for properties with waterfront views will continue to grow. Particularly, units that meet both lake view and south-facing criteria are in limited supply, leading to strong preferences among potential buyers.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 16:20:00
  • Stray Kids headline Brazils music festival as 1st K-pop act
    Stray Kids headline Brazil's music festival as 1st K-pop act SEOUL, September 14 (AJP) - K-pop boy group Stray Kids drew about 100,000 people at "Rock in Rio," a biennial music festival in Brazil, becoming the first K-pop act to headline the festival, JYP Entertainment said on Monday. They closed out the festival in Rio de Janeiro last Friday. This year's lineup also included Calvin Harris, the Black Eyed Peas, Maroon 5 and Elton John. JYP Entertainment said the festival allowed fan light sticks for the first time since its launch in 1985, a change the agency attributed to the concert culture surrounding Stray Kids' headlining set. Lit by Nachimbong, the group's official light stick, Stray Kids opened with "TOPLINE (Feat. Tiger JK)," "S-Class" and "Bounce Back." The set also included "MANIAC," "God's Menu," "Chk Chk Boom," "LALALALA," "Sorikkun" and "Sinseonnoreum." Latest tracks including "This & That," "After You" and "RUN IT" were also performed, while fireworks went off during "MIROH." At one point, members sang part of Brazilian singer Michel Telo's "Ai Se Eu Te Pego" a cappella and moved down from the stage during the performance. The group also added "Hall of Fame" as an impromptu encore, according to the agency. As of Sept. 10, Bang Chan had 244 registered copyrights with the Korea Music Copyright Association, the most among K-pop idols, the agency said. Changbin and Han, who join Bang Chan in Stray Kids' in-house production unit 3RACHA, had 209 and 206 registered copyrights, respectively. Following Rock in Rio, Stray Kids will continue with "STRAYCITY," a new music festival co-planned by JYP Entertainment and U.S.-based concert promoter Live Nation with the group as headliner. The festival opened in Bogota on Sept. 9 and continues in Buenos Aires on Sept. 14 and 15, followed by Mexico City on Sept. 25 and 26. AJP Takeaways - Stray Kids became the first K-pop act to headline Rock in Rio. - JYP Entertainment said the group drew about 100,000 people at the Brazil festival. - Rock in Rio allowed official fan light sticks for the first time since 1985. 2026-09-14 16:16:16
  • Seongnam Mayor Calls for Immediate Appointment of Deputy Mayor Amid Vacancy
    Seongnam Mayor Calls for Immediate Appointment of Deputy Mayor Amid Vacancy Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin urged on September 14 for the immediate appointment of a deputy mayor, stating that addressing the vacancy is more urgent than appointing the head of the newly established Central Disaster Management Headquarters.In a message on Facebook, Mayor Shin called on Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae to swiftly resolve the vacancy of the Seongnam deputy mayor position.Shin emphasized that he does not know the newly appointed head of the Central Disaster Management Headquarters, Kim Ji-yong, and insisted that before discussing the appointment of someone unrelated to Seongnam, the deputy mayor position must be filled.The deputy mayor position has been vacant since the previous deputy mayor retired on June 30.Shin expressed that Gyeonggi Province should not delay the appointment until January of next year and should act immediately.He raised strong concerns about the prolonged vacancy, citing the administrative demands and key issues facing Seongnam, which has a population of 910,000 and is undergoing significant redevelopment in Bundang, a district with 98,000 households.Shin argued that it is unreasonable to wait until January for the appointment, especially given the city's higher administrative needs compared to other special cities.He also pointed out the potential administrative gaps during disaster response, questioning, "Who will take responsibility if the deputy mayor is needed to lead the disaster response headquarters?" He stressed that the vacancy could directly impact citizen safety.Regarding the role of the deputy mayor, Shin noted that the deputy mayor is required to chair 70 committees, highlighting the necessity for a prompt appointment.According to publicly available data, the deputy mayor serves as the ex-officio chair of these committees.Shin views the organizational restructuring in Gyeonggi Province and the appointment of deputy mayors as separate issues. He stated, "The appointment of the Seongnam deputy mayor should not be postponed until next year due to organizational restructuring," emphasizing that restructuring can proceed independently while the deputy mayor appointment should happen immediately.He concluded by urging for a swift appointment before public sentiment shifts towards questioning the effectiveness of Gyeonggi Province. 2026-09-14 16:16:14
  • Ministry of SMEs Seeks Startups for Public Service Innovation Using Public Data
    Ministry of SMEs Seeks Startups for Public Service Innovation Using Public Data The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on September 14 that it is seeking around 20 startups to tackle public service innovation projects using public data.The targeted startups will work on 22 projects selected from 18 institutions that the ministry identified last month for collaboration with startups.Selected startups will receive commercialization funding of up to 100 million won for technology validation (PoC) and prototype development through collaboration with public institutions. They will also have access to support for technology development projects, including startup growth technology development and public-private joint technology commercialization.This initiative will involve both public institutions proposing projects that utilize publicly available data and startups suggesting projects that leverage undisclosed data from these institutions.Proposed projects from public institutions include the development of population density indicators using artificial intelligence (AI) by the National Data Agency, automatic early detection of road ice using closed-circuit (CC) TV footage by the Korea Expressway Corporation, and a smart airport baggage delivery service utilizing real-time airport information from the Korea Airport Corporation.Further details can be found on the K-Startup website under the 'Public Data Utilization Open Innovation' project recruitment announcement. The application period runs until October 6.Jo Kyung-won, Director of Startup Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, stated, "Supporting startups in utilizing public data will promote the commercialization of innovative technologies and lay the groundwork for creating public services that citizens can feel. We will actively support the expansion of public data openness and open innovation, which are in high demand from businesses, to foster startup growth and ensure that these achievements lead to a surge in entrepreneurship."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 16:16:00
  • Coach Robert Moreno Plans to Use 4-4-2 Formation for Upcoming Matches
    Coach Robert Moreno Plans to Use 4-4-2 Formation for Upcoming Matches Robert Moreno, the newly appointed interim coach of the South Korean national soccer team, announced plans to adopt a 4-4-2 formation based on the most commonly used system in the K League as the team prepares for four international matches in September and October.During a press conference on September 14 at Korea Football Park in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, Moreno stated, "I started my work by analyzing data from over 1,700 South Korean players. The selection criteria for the national team are based on performance, not names. I chose players considering the playing style and characteristics that best suit South Korean soccer."He added, "We want players who are balanced, excelling in both attack and defense. There should be a strong desire to connect with the national team. That is what we want."Faced with the challenge of implementing tactics in a short time, Moreno has chosen the 4-4-2 formation. He emphasized, "I will prepare for the matches based on the 4-4-2 system, which has been the most used in the K League over the past two years. My role is to clearly define positional responsibilities and improve weaknesses to find the optimal way to utilize the players."Moreno also assessed the strengths and weaknesses of South Korean players during his analysis. He noted, "The ability to play with the ball and in attacking areas was very impressive, showing clear potential. However, there is a tendency to wait for the opponent's attack rather than applying active pressure in defensive situations, which needs improvement."The 30-player roster announced includes a balance of key overseas players and those active in the K League. Notable names include captain Son Heung-min (LAFC), Lee Kang-in (Atletico Madrid), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke 04). European-based forwards such as Oh Hyun-kyu (Beşiktaş), Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland), and Song Min-kyu (Nacional) are also included.Moreno described Son Heung-min as "a versatile player who can play in multiple positions."Among the 30 players selected, 12 are from the K League. Jeong Seung-won (FC Seoul), who has scored eight goals and provided six assists this season, returns to the national team after about 14 months. Alongside Jeong, goalkeeper Ko Seung-yun and defender Choi Jun also made the roster from FC Seoul.Three newcomers celebrated their first call-up to the senior national team: midfielder Kim Min-soo (Rangers), born in 2006, midfielder Park Tae-jun (Gimcheon Sangmu), and defender Kim Geon-hee (Incheon United).Moreno stated, "I will check if these players, who have very clear positions, can show their performance at the national team level."However, Lee Seung-woo (Jeonbuk Hyundai) was excluded from the roster. Yang Hyun-jun (Celtic), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), Eom Ji-sung (Swansea City), and Lee Gi-hyuk (Gangwon FC) are absent due to their call-up for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya. Jens Castrop (Borussia Mönchengladbach) was ruled out due to injury.Moreno pledged to help South Korean soccer rebound from the disappointment of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He shared a story about his 10-year-old son, who injured his ankle, saying, "I told him, 'If you fall, get back up, focus on today, and take one step at a time.' I will show the fans that we can rise again with the national team players, carrying their hopes with us."Moreno will temporarily lead the national team for a total of six international matches, including these four games and two more in November. His contract includes a provision for extension until the AFC Asian Cup in January 2027 in Saudi Arabia, based on the performance and evaluation results from these six matches.Moreno's team will face Ecuador on September 24 at Suwon World Cup Stadium and Uruguay on September 28 at Seoul World Cup Stadium. They will then take on Venezuela on October 2 at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium and Uzbekistan on October 6 at Yongin Mir Stadium. Two additional international matches are also scheduled for November.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 16:16:00
  • Chinese Stock Market Declines Amid AI Development Concerns; Internet Security Stocks Surge
    Chinese Stock Market Declines Amid AI Development Concerns; Internet Security Stocks Surge On September 14, the Chinese stock market experienced a slight decline, attributed to concerns over the pace of AI development. The Shanghai Composite Index closed down 0.07% at 3,885.33, the Shenzhen Component Index fell 0.64% to 13,384.57, and the ChiNext Index dropped 1.10% to 3,285.58.Comments from Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, advocating for a slowdown in AI development, caused a ripple effect in AI-related stocks globally, including in China. Following the market's opening, AI hardware stocks, which had recently surged, faced corrections. Chinese media also cited concerns over the slowing pace of AI model development as a reason for the index decline.Additionally, the potential for U.S. interest rate hikes weighed on the Chinese market. Recent inflation data from the U.S. came in higher than expected, leading markets to significantly raise the likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate increase this week, with a probability of 86% for a September hike, according to Reuters. There are even discussions about the possibility of further rate increases beyond September.Brent crude oil prices rose again to around $106 to $107 per barrel due to instability in the Middle East. Attacks on Saudi Arabia's east-west oil pipeline and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait heightened concerns over supply disruptions.Internet security stocks saw significant gains on the day. Companies such as Zhongxin Saike, Yongxin Zhicheng, and Bohui Keji hit their daily price limits. Chen Yixin, Deputy Minister of China's Ministry of State Security, criticized in a recent article for the magazine 'China Network Information' that foreign intelligence agencies are using AI technology to collect sensitive information, including core national data and personal privacy. He urged for enhanced risk awareness and early warning capabilities.Stocks related to multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) also rose, with Shuangxing Xincai reaching its daily limit and Yunzhu Keji showing a significant increase. The announcement by Japanese MLCC manufacturer Murata to halt production of certain MLCC items was seen as a positive development. Murata plans to reduce production of general-purpose and low-value products while expanding high-value product manufacturing, leading to speculation that general-purpose product volumes may shift to Chinese manufacturers.Meanwhile, the People's Bank of China set the yuan's daily reference rate at 6.7698 per dollar, a decrease of 0.0045 yuan from the previous day, reflecting a 0.07% increase in the yuan's value.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-14 16:12:10