Beijing aids gold’s record run, kidney transplant first: SCMP daily highlights

1. Pentagon nominee hints at Aukus changes, says Taiwan should ‘pay its way’

The Aukus defence technology-sharing pact between the US, Britain and Australia could be made more “sustainable”, according to the Donald Trump administration’s pick as its next assistant defence secretary for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.

2. China’s central bank aids gold’s record-setting run with 11-month buying streak

Even after a record-setting run, the price of gold appears poised for further gains, as China’s central bank extended its buying streak to an 11th straight month and demand for the safe-haven asset continues to grow amid an ongoing US government shutdown.

3. China braces for record travel peak on final day of ‘golden week’

China’s transport system braced for a massive travel surge on Wednesday as millions of people returned to work at the end of the annual “super golden week” holiday, one of the busiest times of the year.

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