Asia

Chinese Premier says Hong Kong not yet out of protest ‘dilemma’

Editorial Bureau December 16, 2019

HONG KONG- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam in Beijing on Monday, saying the Asian financial hub was not yet out of the “dilemma” facing the city’s economy after months of sometimes violent protests. Li met with Lam during a regular duty visit

Business

China November home price growth slowest in two years; property investment at one-year low

Editorial Bureau December 16, 2019

BEIJING- China’s new home prices grew at their weakest pace in nearly two years in November while property investment also eased, with tightening policies continuing to cool the market even as some local easing is expected to prevent a sharp slowdown. The property market, which directly impacts more than 40 industries, is a key growth […]

Business

China’s factory, retail sectors shine as trade tensions thaw

Editorial Bureau December 16, 2019

BEIJING- Growth in China’s industrial and retail sectors beat expectations in November, as government support propped up demand in the world’s second-largest economy and amid easing trade hostilities with Washington. The set of upbeat figures released on Monday follow firm signs of progress in Sino-U.S. trade negotiations over the weekend after the

Business

U.S. exports to China to nearly double in ‘totally done’ trade deal – Lighthizer

Editorial Bureau December 16, 2019

WASHINGTON- The “phase one” U.S.-China trade deal will nearly double U.S. exports to China over the next two years and is “totally done” despite the need for translation and revisions to its text, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said on Sunday. Lighthizer, speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation” program, said there would be

Business

Oil prices fall as investors seek clarity on U.S.-China trade deal

Editorial Bureau December 16, 2019

SINGAPORE- Oil prices on Monday slid off near three-month highs hit last week as investors searched for clarity beyond the initial impact of a trade deal between the United States and China that’s expected to boost flows between the top two global economies. Brent crude oil futures fell 22 cents, or 0.3% to $65.00 a […]

Asia

Hong Kong leader Lam visits Beijing as pressure mounts at home

Editorial Bureau December 15, 2019

HONG KONG- Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam visited Beijing on Saturday for her first trip to the Chinese capital since her government was handed a crushing defeat in local elections last month, prompting speculation about changes to her leadership team. During a four-day visit, Lam is due to discuss the political and economic situation in […]

Money

China to target around 6% growth in 2020, step up state spending – sources

Editorial Bureau December 15, 2019

BEIJING- China plans to set a lower economic growth target of around 6% in 2020 from this year’s 6-6.5%, relying on increased state infrastructure spending to ward off a sharper slowdown, policy sources said. Chinese leaders are trying to support growth to limit job losses that could affect social stability, but are facing pressure to […]

Business

U.S.-China trade deal cuts tariffs for Beijing promise of big farm purchases

Editorial Bureau December 15, 2019

WASHINGTON/BEIJING- The United States and China cooled their trade war on Friday, announcing a “Phase one” agreement that reduces some U.S. tariffs in exchange for what U.S. officials said would be a big jump in Chinese purchases of American farm products and other goods. Beijing has agreed to import at least $200 billion (155.88 billion […]

Money

SoftBank’s China strategy wobbles as key bets disappoint

Editorial Bureau December 14, 2019

HONG KONG/BEIJING – For SoftBank Group Inc, financial technology firm OneConnect’s IPO should have been a vindication of an aggressive China investing strategy. Instead, embarrassed bankers had to slash the offering size and cut its price as investors baulked at a business model seen too reliant on majority owner Ping An Insurance. The IPO valued […]

Asia

Hearts ‘linked as one’ as Taiwan welcomes tiny Nauru amid China tussle

Editorial Bureau December 13, 2019

TAIPEI- The president of the tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru promised on Friday to always stand beside Taiwan as their hearts are “linked as one”, as he visited Taipei amid a growing tussle for influence in the region between Beijing and Washington. While the Pacific states are small developing nations, they lie in highly […]