China’s Politburo warns of economic risks as Communist Party readies for third plenum

“The complexity, severity and uncertainty of the external environment have spiked,” it said, according to a statement released by state news agency Xinhua. The session, also known as a plenum, traditionally sets economic strategy for the next five to 10 years and is often seen as the most important of the seven party gatherings held … Read more

‘Two sessions’ 2024: China signals more fiscal pump-priming for the economy

The Politburo, the party’s primary decision-making body, also vowed to improve the consistency of policies and make the policy environment “transparent and predictable” during their gathering on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the state-run Xinhua news agency. The message comes amid lingering weak expectations about the business climate of the world’s second largest … Read more

China seen cutting mortgage reference rate for first time since June

China is widely expected to trim its benchmark mortgage reference rate at a monthly fixing on Tuesday, as banks’ improving net interest margins give authorities some leeway to use monetary stimulus to shore up faltering economy growth. The loan prime rate (LPR) normally charged to banks’ best clients is calculated each month after 20 designated … Read more

Visitors to China’s tourist spots spike during Lunar New Year as country aims to revive post-Covid travel sector

Mainland China’s tourist attractions reported a major spike in visitors during this year’s eight-day Lunar New Year holiday as the country aims to revive its post-pandemic travel sector. The tropical island province of Hainan has seen a huge increase in passenger traffic, with overall year-on-year growth of more than 30 per cent during the holiday, … Read more

For many in China, the economy feels like it is in recession

The night before China’s civil service exam, Melody Zhang anxiously paced up and down the corridor of her dormitory, rehearsing her answers. Only when she got back to her room did she realise she had been crying the whole time. Zhang was hoping to start a career in state propaganda after more than 100 unsuccessful … Read more

Chinese economy: Migrant workers moving out coastal cities as crisis grips Chinese economy

Amid the crisis gripping the Chinese economy, some migrant workers, labour brokers and shop owners have started moving out of the coastal cities and returning home as jobs in the country’s coastal cities face a reduction in job opportunities, the Voice of America (VOA) reported. In its report on Thursday, it said that in China, … Read more