Economic Indicators
After months of zigzags, Taiwan reports export growth in November
Export numbers for Taiwan re-entered the plus column after months of contraction and a shorter period of back-and-forth changes, fuelling hopes for protracted growth in 2024.
Why China’s yuan may stay weak in 2024, regardless of any US Fed rate cuts
A prominent Chinese economist has flagged two key risks that could keep pressure on the yuan: weaker-than-expected fiscal expansion and a further contraction in the property market.
As China looks to shore up economy, geopolitics, US rate cuts weigh on outlook
Economists generally expect that the US’ most aggressive rate-rising cycle in 40 years will end soon, and that any subsequent rate-cut cycle would lead to lower financing costs for businesses – a positive for trade flows.
‘Every country needs copper’, and China foresight offers an edge in green push
Strong ties between China and world’s major mineral exporters, especially those with vast copper and nickel resources, leave West playing catch-up in securing supplies.
China coal reserves found lacking after past crises hit industries, livelihoods
A new national backup system for coal production will seek to stabilise prices and ensure sufficient supplies as energy security is increasingly prioritised across the country.
Doubts trade can provide China’s economic pillar in 2024 even after exports grow
China’s exports beat expectations in November as shipments to the US grew for the first time since July last year, but analysts doubt if exports can contribute as a pillar of economic growth next year.
Amid job market woes, China to add another 11.8 million graduates to workforce
A record number of college students are set to graduate in China next year at a time of high unemployment within the 16-24 age group.
Why China’s vocational school drive is causing ‘strong anxiety among parents’
An education policy enacted six years ago means that only half of junior high students in China can go on to get academic degrees in the country, and many parents don’t like those odds.
China lashes out at ‘ill-intentioned foreign forces’ over its anti-spying law
Ministry of State Security seeks to quell accusations that China’s revised anti-espionage law has worsened economic decoupling and the operating environment for foreign firms, as they have increasingly claimed.
After years of emulating West, China starts to turn on ‘predatory’ finance
In a departure from the West’s view on the role of finance, China has made the case for its own perspective on the industry, primarily as a tool for achieving policy goals and a buttress for weak links in the economy.
Ro-ro, roll your cars: China automakers splurge on huge carriers to meet demand
China’s surging car exports, led by EVs, could top 5 million this year – but outsized demand is pitting manufacturers against each other in a price war to secure so-called ro-ro ships that haul thousands of vehicles.
China advises state firms to watch finances as country moves to limit risk
The commission administering China’s largest state firms has cautioned them to control and prevent risk in their financial subsidiaries and operations, a sign of heightened focus on systemic shortfalls as debt burdens continue to plague smaller institutions.
Explainer | ‘The economy stagnated in November’: 4 takeaways from China’s activity data
China’s official manufacturing and services purchasing managers’ indices (PMI) disappointed in November, although the Caixin/S&P Global gauges offered signs of recovery last month.
China’s tutoring ban meant to ease stress, costs but has worsened education gap
Two years since China passed education reforms to lower schoolwork burdens and reduce inequalities in education outcomes, the divide only appears to have grown wider and deeper.
‘Like water and electricity’: China calls for ‘unified’ computing network
Only about three-quarters of China’s population has internet access, but a new infrastructure drive aims to make connecting to a ‘unified’ network as easy as getting water from the tap or flipping a light switch.
China ‘disappointed’ at Moody’s downgrade of sovereign bonds outlook to negative
Moody’s Investors Service on Tuesday cut the outlook for Chinese sovereign bonds from stable to negative, while keeping their rating unchanged at A1, with Beijing calling their concerns ‘unnecessary’.
As ‘market continues to heal’, China’s services activity expands to 3-month high
China’s Caixin/S&P Global services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) rose to a three-month high in November, data released on Tuesday showed.
China opens world’s tallest unmanned veggie farm as urban agriculture takes root
Unaffected by climate and geographical constraints, a new Chengdu facility is said to be capable of producing a harvest of lettuce every 35 days under AI-controlled environmental conditions.
China tightens the leash on vulnerable banks in domestic de-risking campaign
Preventing and resolving financial risk is expected to remain high on the agenda at a major economic conference as sweeping changes are made to rural credit systems.
What GDP target must China set for 2024 to double its economy by 2035?
China’s leadership will convene soon to map out next year’s economic trajectory, but analysts say hitting long-term growth targets depends on whether Beijing implement more stimulus measures.
