Pakistan's information minister said on Sept. 23 Pakistan carried out air and drone strikes on 10 sites in Afghanistan used to launch and store drones.

S&P Global preliminary manufacturing PMI fell to 54.1 in September from 54.9 in August, indicating slower but still robust expansion. Output growth slipped to a near three-month low and new orders growth eased to a four-month low, though both remained in expansion for a ninth consecutive month. New export orders stayed strong, leaving overseas demand supportive. Business confidence rose to its highest since February, driven by demand in AI, semiconductors, defence and autos. Employment continued to increase, lifting private‑sector employment growth to a seven‑month high. Firms said cost pressures eased slightly overall but flagged weak yen, Middle East tensions pushing up energy and commodity prices, and rising labour and transport costs.

The 7th China Liaoning International Investment and Trade Fair opened in Shenyang on the 23rd. Zhou Qiang, vice chairman of the CPPCC, said Beijing continues to prioritize northeast revitalization and that Liaoning will treat opening-up as a basic state policy, build a northeast sea‑land corridor, deepen integration into high‑quality Belt and Road projects, and actively participate in the China–Mongolia–Russia economic corridor to strengthen its hub functions and attract new investment. The fair's theme is New opening, new momentum; a new chapter for revitalization.