Taiwan’s exports to the US in the first quarter beat shipments sent to mainland China, with analysts pointing to a ‘strategic plan’ by Washington to construct and lead a world supply chain and market order.

Reports suggest US has discussed sanctions on some Chinese banks over their trade with Russia, but analysts say moves to remove China from the Swift interbank financial system could create a ‘huge problem’ for global trade.

Chinese-produced durian is set to be available to the public in July, with production from the tropical island of Hainan likely to reach 200 tonnes this year, although Thailand and Vietnam are set to remain the largest sources.

With more countries searching for – and finding – stores of rare earth minerals, China’s former near-monopolist role in the trade of the metals is gradually being eroded.

Asia official with Washington-based agency points to the PBOC’s policy moves, as well as China’s infrastructure spending, as economic bellwethers in the face of headwinds.

China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer held a conference ahead of a week-long seminar to seek progress with its C929 passenger jet, which is due to rival the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 models for long-haul routes.

After the release of China’s first-quarter GDP growth, International Monetary Fund says the lack of a ‘comprehensive response’ could lead to less economic growth than Beijing is hoping for this year.

Scholz’s trip comes as the European Union is undertaking an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), and as criticism grows in the United States about Chinese overcapacity.

State subsidies are in Brussels’ cross hairs as the world’s largest windpower producer exports low-cost turbines to quench global demand for clean power.

Beijing’s enhanced emphasis on stronger ‘productive forces’ is seen giving China a lift in its pursuit of aviation self-sufficiency as external pressure mounts.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen ended her week-long trip to China on Tuesday, saying the US had been able to ‘move the ball’ on key issues, while analysts said the visit had focused on ‘practical short-term issues’.

US Treasury secretary says Beijing needs to make policy changes, while warning that Washington and its allies fear ‘global spillovers’ from China’s trade actions.

Researchers have released their findings on the likely devastating responses taken by G7 countries as well as mainland China if tensions over Taiwan turned for the worse.

Washington has asked countries with US business interests to avoid selling sensitive tech-related gear to China, and analysts say it would take China a while to develop its own advanced chips industry.

Chinese construction firms are eyeing opportunities in Nusantara, which is set to replace Jakarta as Indonesia’s capital, adding to projects in Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere in Asia.

China’s imports of Australian coal increased by 3,188 per cent year on year to US$1.34 billion in the first two months of 2024 amid improving relations between Beijing and Canberra.

Customs data for January and February shows how anti-subsidy probes and trade restrictions are taking a toll on new-energy sector, putting EV producers at risk of being squeezed out of the market.

Japan ended eight years of negative interest rates on Tuesday, but analysts do not expect any direct impact on China, which is prioritising the stability of the yuan over rate cuts.

More than 99 per cent of Vietnam’s durian exports went to China last year, and the Southeast Asian country is expected to ship US$3.5 billion of the fruit in 2024.

Although overseas visitors to China have increased after some visa requirements were lifted, other barriers to travel and inconveniences when visiting have been enough to discourage more from planning a trip.

Beijing has relaxed visa rules to attract more visitors in recent months, in line with intentions to stimulate a national economy beset by a property crunch, employment hurdles and hesitant consumer spending.

Technology transfers have always been officially part of China’s belt and road plan, but analysts say those types of exchanges are being increasingly prioritised as Beijing bids to boost ties.

Geopolitical tensions, coupled with a weakened and more uncertain business environment on the mainland, continue to take a toll on investor confidence among Taiwanese investors.

Mainland China is seeking to further integrate with Taiwan economically after Taiwanese approved investments fell to a 22-year-low in 2023.

Taiwan exports grew by a mere 1.3 per cent in February, though it still represented a fourth straight month of gains after having slipped for most of 2023.

Beijing this week expressed ‘strong dissatisfaction’ toward an ongoing European Union investigation into China’s exports of electric vehicles (EVs) and related products.

High-profile economist and former State Council researcher warns that potential US capital injections in China, following any Fed rate cuts, might be tumultuous for already-battered markets.

Orders by value topped US$48 billion last month, and these also include purchases of semiconductors, electronics for cars, and electric vehicle components.