Chinese Carmakers BYD, Chery Chart 80% Growth Overseas as EV Demand Spikes
Chinese automakers BYD and Chery are accelerating overseas sales as global EV demand spikes. In May, Chery shipped 181,571 vehicles abroad, an 81% year‑on‑year increase, while BYD delivered 160,177 units overseas, also up 81% and accounting for 42% of its total sales. Higher foreign prices are boosting margins, with profit per vehicle potentially rising from $739 domestically to about $2,956 abroad. Both firms aim to expand international revenue, targeting 1.5 million overseas units for BYD and 70% EV share for Chery by 2026.
Global Oil Stockpiles Could Fall to ‘Critical Levels’ by Summer, IEA Warns
The International Energy Agency warned that global oil inventories could fall to critical levels before the peak summer demand season, driven by ongoing supply disruptions and dwindling imports. Global crude stocks dropped by 250 million barrels in March‑April, while Chinese onshore...
Why China’s C909 Jet Is Rapidly Being Deployed in Xinjiang
China’s domestically produced regional jet, the C909, is gaining traction in Xinjiang, where 30 aircraft now serve over 120 routes. The 78‑97 seat jet offers a cost advantage, delivering roughly $890‑$1,480 higher contribution margin per flight hour than a Boeing...
11 Macau Banks Sign up for Project mBridge as City Joins Digital Currency Platform
Macau has become the latest jurisdiction to join Project mBridge, with 11 local banks signing on as the platform’s first participants from the city. The Monetary Authority of Macau completed system integration, enabling these banks to settle cross‑border transactions using...
From Property to Portfolios: Asia’s Families Rethink Inheritance Investments
Asian families are moving away from traditional property inheritance toward diversified financial assets, especially equity portfolios. A slowdown in real‑estate values and tighter credit conditions have eroded confidence in land as a reliable wealth store. Parents like South Korea’s Choi...
Another Chinese Brokerage Giant Adds Fuel to Country’s Overseas Expansion Push
Chinese brokerage Citic Securities announced a $2.4 billion H‑share placement, the largest equity raise by a Chinese broker since 2022, to fund its overseas platform in Hong Kong. The capital will support prime brokerage, market‑making and cross‑border financing as international operations...
How the Wine Industry Can Stage a Comeback in China – Using Social Media
China's wine consumption has more than halved since 2017, with imports dropping from over 550 million litres to just 165 million litres in 2024. While affluent buyers continue to purchase premium labels, lower‑income consumers are cutting back amid a real‑estate‑driven economic slowdown....
Luxury Homes, Premium Offices Underpin Asian Property’s Resilience
JPMorgan warns that the energy‑price shock is rippling through Asia, yet the region’s real‑estate sector remains surprisingly resilient. Luxury residential markets, especially Tokyo and Singapore, posted strong price gains and high‑value sales despite a 60% foreign‑buyer tax in Singapore. Premium...
As Its Firms Look Overseas, China Overtakes US to Become Top Foreign Investor in Germany
China surpassed the United States as Germany’s top single‑country source of foreign direct investment in 2025, according to a German government report. The shift reflects mounting energy and labour cost pressures that are prompting American firms to reconsider expansion in...
2 Chinese Supertankers Join Flotilla Exiting Hormuz as Stand-Off Appears to Thaw
Three fully laden supertankers, including two Chinese VLCCs, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, suggesting a possible easing of Iran’s restrictions. Iran announced that 26 vessels were permitted to transit the waterway, a notable increase from the roughly ten...
China Breaks Ground on US$5b Aviation Complex in UAE as Iran War Risks Linger
China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) has broken ground on a $5 billion aircraft maintenance complex in Dubai South, UAE. The facility will feature eight massive hangars spanning 1.21 million square metres and is slated for completion by 2030. The project underscores China’s expanding...
China’s Yuan Hits 3-Year High as Global Banks Issue Bullish Forecasts
China’s central bank set the yuan’s daily reference rate at its strongest level since early 2023, pushing the currency to a three‑year high against the US dollar. Global banks are now issuing bullish forecasts, expecting further appreciation as China’s monetary...
China’s BeiDou Leads GPS, Other Rivals Across Belt and Road Network: Report
China’s home‑grown BeiDou navigation system now commands 58% of the positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) market in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries, according to a new industry white paper. The broader Chinese PNT ecosystem generated roughly ¥1.33 trillion (about $196 billion)...
Putin Is Pushing for a Blockbuster Oil and Gas Deal in China. Will He Get It?
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing seeking a multi‑billion‑dollar oil and gas partnership with state‑run China National Petroleum Corp. The talks focus on long‑term supply contracts, potential yuan‑based settlements, and a pricing formula tied to global benchmarks. Negotiations come...
China Joins Global Sell-Off of US Treasuries in March as Iran War Prompts Panic
Mainland Chinese investors sold a notable portion of their US Treasury bills in March, aligning with a broader wave of foreign holders trimming exposure to US government debt. The sell‑off was spurred by heightened geopolitical risk after the US‑Israel conflict...
China and Russia Hold Trade Expo as Putin and Trump Visits Draw Global Attention
China launched the 10th China‑Russia Expo in Harbin as President Vladimir Putin prepares to visit Beijing, following President Donald Trump’s recent trip to the city. The event features major Chinese energy and infrastructure firms and a meeting of an intergovernmental...
The US-China Trade War Is Entering a Worrying New Phase: A Legal Arms Race
The United States and China have entered a new phase of their trade conflict, shifting from tariffs to a legal arms race of sanctions, export controls and regulatory measures. Both governments are swiftly adding firms to blacklists and drafting legislation...
Trump’s Cadre of CEOs Hunts for Wins in China, From Soybeans to Semiconductors
A diverse group of U.S. CEOs, including Apple’s Tim Cook, joined President Donald Trump on his state visit to China to pursue market access and stability across sectors from soybeans to semiconductors. The delegation aims to secure tariff relief, strengthen...
How a China-Backed Highway May Turn Landlocked Laos Into a Trade Gateway
China‑backed officials have launched a feasibility study for a 186‑207 km expressway linking Vientiane to the northeastern border with Vietnam, with a longer 440 km corridor to the Chinese border slated for completion by 2030. State‑owned Henan ZhongGong Design and Research Group...
China’s Move to Cut EV Payment Cycles May Push Weaker Carmakers Out: S&P
Beijing has tightened oversight of price competition by forcing EV makers to shorten supplier payment cycles, cutting average terms from up to 300 days to around 50 days. S&P Global Ratings warns that the tighter cash‑flow regime will increase borrowing...
Wrapped in a Boeing: Will Trump’s China Visit Include Another Aircraft Deal?
President Donald Trump’s upcoming state visit to Beijing comes amid a U.S.-Iran war that is tightening global energy supplies and heightening economic uncertainty. The 2017 $37 billion, 300‑plane Boeing deal secured during his last China trip has stalled due to sanctions,...
China Vows Action After EU Cuts Funding for Green Projects Using Chinese Inverters
The European Commission announced a ban on EU funding for clean‑energy projects that use Chinese‑made solar inverters, citing security concerns. Beijing denounced the move as unfair, labeling China a "high‑risk" country without evidence, and warned of retaliatory measures. Chinese firms...
China, US Drive Global Debt to Record $353 Trillion as Iran War Adds Pressure: Report
Global debt surged to a record $353 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, up $4.4 trillion from the previous quarter, according to the Institute of International Finance. The increase was driven primarily by government borrowing in China and the United States,...
Fuel Shocks, Thin Margins: Why China’s Airlines Should ‘Heed Spirit’s Mistakes’
The collapse of U.S. ultra‑low‑cost carrier Spirit serves as a warning for airlines worldwide, especially China’s carriers grappling with soaring fuel prices amid the ongoing US‑Israel‑Iran conflict. During China’s May Day “golden week,” passenger trips on railways rose 5.2% to 159 million,...
Australia’s Interest Rate Rise Signals Growing Hawkish Stance in Asia
On May 5 the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted its cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.35%, marking a third consecutive hike as it wrestles with an energy‑driven inflation surge. Headline inflation rose to 4.6% in March and the trimmed‑mean...
China’s Exporters Face Test as Yuan Hits 3-Year High Against US Dollar
The People’s Bank of China fixed the yuan’s midpoint at 6.8487 per U.S. dollar on Thursday, its strongest level since April 2023. Analysts expect the currency to continue appreciating, potentially reaching 6.65 per dollar by year‑end, which could strain China’s...
EU Cyber Plan Barring Chinese Suppliers Will Cost US$430 Billion: Report
The European Union is set to adopt a new Cybersecurity Act that would bar Chinese hardware from critical infrastructure such as telecoms, energy grids, and transport networks. A recent study estimates the required replacement of Chinese equipment will cost the...
How the Middle East Crisis Is Expanding China’s Agrochemical Influence
Amid the escalating Middle East conflict, global farmers face uncertainty over fertilizer and pesticide supplies. China, which already accounts for roughly a third of worldwide fertilizer production and 70% of the raw materials for chemical pesticides, is poised to fill...
How US Tech Hegemony Is Locking Out the Global South
The United States is leveraging patents, export bans and alliance‑driven standards to cement a monopoly over emerging technologies such as 6G, creating a closed‑loop ecosystem that excludes non‑aligned nations. This strategy has choked the Global South, from African farmers forced...
US Tech Can Use China as ‘Listening Post’ for Global Edge, Washington Think Tank Explains
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) released a report urging U.S. technology companies to remain active in China despite political pressure. It cites 1,950 American firms with Chinese affiliates in 2023, including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Tesla, and argues...
Kazakhstan’s AIFC Discussing Stock-Trading Links with Shanghai, Hong Kong
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is negotiating with Hong Kong and Shanghai exchanges to launch cross‑border stock‑connection schemes, likely beginning with ETFs denominated in tenge and yuan. Kazakh investors are keen on Chinese tech giants like Tencent and carmaker BYD,...
How China Is Using AI – and State Funding – to Transform the Micro Drama Industry
South Korean studio Vigloo is allocating roughly 30% of its budget to AI, slashing production cycles from three months to one and cutting costs by 80%. Meanwhile, China’s micro‑drama sector—often called vertical dramas—reached an estimated $14.6 bn in 2025 and is...
Chips, Oil and Iran: Why US Is Raising Pressure on China Before Xi-Trump Talks
The United States is intensifying a multi‑front pressure campaign on China ahead of President Trump’s planned mid‑May summit with Xi Jinping. The House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced 20 new export‑control measures that would tighten allies’ sales of advanced semiconductor equipment...
Why China May Benefit From the UAE’s Opec Withdrawal Amid Iran War Oil Crisis
The United Arab Emirates will leave Opec on May 1, ending its role as the bloc’s third‑largest producer, which accounts for roughly 12% of total output. Analysts expect the move to give China greater flexibility to source more Emirati crude, potentially...
Canada’s Push to Rebuild Ties with China Hits a Snag: A Lack of Direct Flights
Canada announced it will increase direct passenger flights to China and allow up to 20 weekly cargo services, aiming to revive tourism after a surge in Chinese bookings following visa‑free entry. Travel demand from China to Canada has more than...
China Orders Maritime Security Research as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Exposes Trade Risks
China’s State‑owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (Sasac) unveiled a 30‑project research agenda, with four studies dedicated to energy security and maritime chokepoints after the Iran‑Israel war effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 20% of global oil...
Facing US and Chinese Pressure, the EU Must Forge Its Own Strategy
The EU faces a widening trade deficit with China—about €360 billion (≈$425 billion) in 2023—while U.S. tariffs have forced Europe into a reactive, rather than coordinated, stance. This drift has left the bloc economically tethered to Beijing yet pressured to align with...
Un-Sanctioned: China to Welcome Dutch Trade Minister Amid Nexperia, ASML Discord
China has quietly removed long‑standing sanctions on Dutch trade minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, clearing the path for his planned trade mission to Beijing. The move comes as bilateral ties strain over semiconductor disputes involving Dutch firms Nexperia and ASML. Beijing’s gesture...
China’s Politburo Steps up Policy Response as Iran War Shakes Global Economy
China’s Politburo announced a sweeping policy push to cushion the economy from the fallout of the US‑Israel conflict over Iran. The leadership pledged to accelerate infrastructure projects, deepen technology self‑reliance, and tighten energy‑security measures. Officials framed the response as a...
Asian Private Wealth an Emerging Force in Property Investment
Knight Frank’s Q4 luxury‑residential report shows Hong Kong as the second‑most active market after Dubai, with 81 transactions totaling $1.5 bn. Mainland Chinese buyers dominate, accounting for 72% of sales above $6.4 mn and driving a 52% rise in transaction count year‑over‑year. Sydney...
Daniel Gros on What China Can Learn From the Euro as It Works Towards a Global Yuan
Daniel Gros, director at Bocconi’s Institute for European Policymaking, argues that the euro’s modest international role highlights the United States dollar’s unrivaled advantage: a deep, open financial market and a powerful lock‑in effect. He notes that the yuan’s push for...
Flood of Small Parcels From China Pushes Belgian Airport’s Capacity to Limit
More than 4 million small parcels from China have been arriving each day at Liège freight airport in Belgium since early 2026, overwhelming the facility’s handling capacity. The airport’s customs team consists of just 80 inspectors, far fewer than needed to...
As DJI Duels Insta360, China Sharpens Global Hardware Edge Amid US Scrutiny
DJI and Insta360 are locked in an escalating rivalry in Shenzhen, each rolling out next‑generation imaging hardware to capture market share from Western rivals. DJI announced an AI‑enhanced drone line aimed at professional creators, while Insta360 introduced an 8K 360°...
Brazil Beckoned: China Now Has Stock and Bond ‘Connect’ Schemes in These 5 Regions
China has launched its first emerging‑market bond‑connect with Brazil, linking Chinese investors to Brazilian sovereign debt and vice‑versa. The move expands China’s portfolio of offshore "connect" schemes, which already include Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, covering both equity...
Flexible Dual-Use Claims Could Be New Global Trade Chokepoint
The U.S. Navy seized the Iranian‑flagged cargo vessel Touska, alleging it carried dual‑use components en route from China via Malaysia. The incident highlights how wartime pressure can reclassify ordinary commercial cargo as strategically sensitive, a trend reflected in rising EU...
Beijing’s Emphasis on Security Weighing on US Firms’ Optimism: AmCham China
American firms in China applaud regulatory refinements and greater openness, yet persistent national‑security priorities curb optimism. AmCham China's 2026 white paper highlights incremental progress on foreign investment rules and cross‑border data governance, but warns that broad, evolving security definitions complicate...
China’s Premium EVs Mount Tech-Powered Challenge to BMW, Mercedes-Benz at Expo
Auto China, the world’s largest auto show, opened in Beijing with 1,451 models spread across 380,000 square metres. Chinese premium electric‑vehicle makers used the 10‑day exhibition to unveil dozens of high‑tech models aimed at the luxury segment. The rollout directly...
More Bookings, Shorter Trips: Chinese Adjust to Higher Fuel Prices for Labour Day Break
Despite a sharp jump in global jet fuel and diesel prices, Chinese travel demand for the upcoming five‑day Labour Day holiday remains strong. Domestic flight bookings are up about 8% year‑on‑year and package‑tour reservations have risen roughly 10%. Travelers are...
Euro, Yuan Unlikely to Match US Dollar as Global Currencies, Daniel Gros Says
Daniel Gros, director of Bocconi’s Institute for European Policymaking, argues that neither the euro nor the Chinese yuan is likely to rival the U.S. dollar as a global reserve currency. He cites the euro’s fragmented fiscal framework and the yuan’s...
America First Fed? Trump Nominee Kevin Warsh Signals ‘Monetary Sovereignty’ Push: Analysts
Kevin Warsh, President Trump’s nominee for Fed chair, signaled a shift toward “monetary sovereignty,” prioritizing domestic productivity and tighter control of the Fed’s balance sheet. In testimony to the Senate Banking Committee, he pledged to work with the Treasury to...