Trump Delays Iran Strike, Wang Leehom Confirms BYD Stock Purchase

On May 18, U.S. President Trump announced he would delay a planned military strike on Iran at the request of Gulf leaders, citing ongoing negotiations expected to yield an agreement barring Iran from nuclear weapons. Iran meanwhile established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority to manage the Strait of Hormuz and reportedly submitted a 14‑point peace proposal via Pakistan.

Domestically, China’s Foreign Ministry said it will work with the U.S. to implement consensus reached during Trump’s visit, while also outlining plans for Putin’s upcoming visit. The ministry reiterated Taiwan is part of China after Trump said U.S. policy had not changed. The WHO Assembly rejected Taiwan proposals for the tenth consecutive year.

Premier Li Qiang visited humanoid robotics and Xiaomi Auto Tech firms, stressing AI’s integration with manufacturing as a driver of new growth. Vice Premier He Lifeng met AMD CEO Lisa Su, welcoming multinationals to deepen cooperation. Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang urged acceleration of a national computing network. The National Bureau of Statistics reported stable growth in January–April, with housing prices rising in 14 cities. The CSRC pledged to stabilize market confidence. Heavy rains broke records, with experts warning extreme weather is becoming common.

In corporate news, singer Wang Leehom confirmed he used tens of millions in endorsement fees to buy BYD shares, saying he would not miss the opportunity again. Grace issued a statement reporting false rumors to police after its anniversary celebration drew speculation. CICC announced mergers with Dongxing and Cinda Securities via share swaps, setting exchange prices at RMB 36.68, 16.05, and 19.11 per share respectively. Lianxun Instruments, the new “stock king,” issued a risk warning about high valuations and market volatility.

Industry highlights included Shanghai’s push into space computing, China’s satellite navigation industry surpassing RMB 600 billion in output, strong optical fiber exports, and rising prices for power management chips. Brokerages said short‑term volatility may persist but fundamentals remain supportive, with opportunities in semiconductors, robotics, and dividend assets.