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Britain's GFK consumer confidence index was negative 17 in December, the highest since August, and negative 18 in November. The survey estimated that it was negative 18.Onlikon: Compound α-keto acid tablets are planned to be selected for the tenth batch of national centralized drug procurement. Onlikon announced on December 13, and on December 12, the company participated in the bidding for the tenth batch of national centralized drug procurement organized by the National Drug Joint Procurement Office. After the bid opening and evaluation by the Joint Procurement Office, the company plans to select this centralized drug procurement. The indication of that medicine is to prevent and treat the damage caused by metabolic disorder in protein due to chronic renal insufficiency. The drug is a national medical insurance catalogue product, with an annual sales of 218,900 yuan in 2023, accounting for 0.01% of the company's annual operating income in 2023.The 22nd meeting of the expert working group of the Shanghai Defense Ministers' Association was held in Beijing. On the morning of December 13th, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, released news on the recent military-related issues. Wu Qian: On December 12th, China's Ministry of National Defense held the 22nd meeting of the expert working group of the meeting of defense ministers of SCO member states in Beijing. More than 30 representatives from SCO member states and the Secretariat attended the meeting, and all parties had an in-depth exchange of views on strengthening pragmatic cooperation in the field of defense and security and promoting the construction of cooperation mechanisms.

Huatai Securities: The main industrial chain of lithium battery pays attention to the opportunity of profit bottoming, and the new technology focuses on solid-state batteries. Huatai Securities said that the domestic market policy side is superimposed on the enterprise side, and the carbon emission assessment in Europe is overweight in 2025. It is expected that the global new energy vehicle market will maintain steady growth in 2025. Coupled with the rapid growth of energy storage, it is estimated that the global battery demand will reach 1544/1937GWh in 2024/2025, which is +30%/+25% year-on-year. In the fourth quarter, the demand for power and energy storage is improving, and the prices of some links of lithium battery have shown signs of stabilization. We are optimistic about the links with tight supply and demand pattern and strong differentiation, and the performance of related enterprises is expected to rise in volume and price next year. In terms of new technologies, solid-state batteries continue to be tested and promoted, composite aluminum foil is expected to be mass-produced next year, lithium-sodium mixed technology is gradually landing, and fast charging permeability is expected to increase. It is recommended to pay attention to the progress of new technology industries.The leading enterprises in the quantum science and technology sector are competing for layout. Recently, the quantum science and technology sector has been active. Since September 24, the concept index of the straight flush quantum science and technology has risen by more than 60%, and the stock prices of many stocks have doubled. Among A-share listed companies, many companies including China Mobile, China Telecom, Guo Dun Quantum, Hexin Instrument, Guoxin Technology and Geer Software have already laid out in the field of quantum technology. In terms of future market potential, ICVTA&K, a scientific and technological consulting organization, predicts that in 2023, the overall market size of the global quantum industry may reach 7.24 billion US dollars. However, the current quantum technology industry is still in the stage of research and development and industrial exploration. Taking quantum computing as an example, Guo Dun Quantum said in a survey conducted by an organization on November 15th that quantum computers have only achieved quantum superiority in some specific problems at present, and it is estimated that it will take about 5 to 10 years to surpass classical computing power in practical and valuable problems in the future. (Economic Information Daily)Warner Bros. Discovery will be reorganized into two major departments. Warner Bros. Discovery said that it will be reorganized into two operating departments, one focusing on traditional cable TV business and the other focusing on streaming media and studios, which may pave the way for the company's future transactions. Warner Bros. Exploration said that it will merge its current Max and Discovery+ streaming media services and HBO departments with another department including Warner Bros.' film and television production business.

Palestinian President meets Lebanese Prime Minister, stressing the implementation of Security Council resolutions to promote a comprehensive ceasefire. On December 12, local time, Palestinian President Abbas met with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Mikati in Rome. The two sides discussed the situation in Palestine and Lebanon, agreed on the importance of strengthening efforts and unity, and stressed the need to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2735, promote a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, safeguard Lebanon's stability, peace and security, ensure humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip, and realize the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.Cathay Pacific: The number of the group has exceeded 30,000, and there will be more than 100 passenger destinations next year. On December 13, Cathay Pacific said that it had the largest recruitment in history in 2024, with about 7,000 new employees hired throughout the year, and the total number of employees in the group exceeded 30,000. With the total flight volume of Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Express returning to the pre-epidemic level in January next year, Cathay Pacific announced that the two-year reconstruction trip will be completed soon, and there will be more than 100 passenger destinations next year. (Hong Kong Economic Times)Japanese and Korean stock markets opened lower, with the Nikkei 225 index down 0.56% at 39,624.05. South Korea's KOSPI index opened down 0.3% to 2,473.75 points.