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 shifting toward shorter, cost‑effective trips, with self‑drive and rural tourism surging over 50% and 40% respectively. Outbound itineraries still favor nearby East Asian destinations, though some airline routes have seen cancellations.
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...
China’s Shipyards Secure Wave of Oil Tanker Orders as Iran War Drives Demand
China’s shipyards are capitalizing on the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which has blocked the Strait of Hormuz and tightened global crude transport. Shipping firms are scrambling for very large crude carriers (VLCCs) to bypass the chokepoint, prompting new orders from...
Hong Kong Can Advance AI Beyond the Confines of Geopolitical Rivalry
The inaugural Hong Kong Global AI Governance Conference argued that the city can evolve into a neutral hub for responsible AI oversight, leveraging its common‑law system, proximity to Shenzhen and Hangzhou, and open internet access. By positioning itself as a mediation,...
Turning Point? Clean Energy Met 100% of World’s New Power Needs in 2025: Report
Ember’s 2025 Global Electricity Review shows clean‑power generation rose by 887 TWh, outpacing the 849 TWh increase in total electricity demand. Renewables supplied 34 percent of global electricity, overtaking coal’s 33 percent share for the first time, and coal generation fell below one‑third of...
‘Hormuz Moment’ Could Herald Decline of US Dominance: Citic Securities Analysts
Citic Securities analysts argue that the ongoing Iranian blockades in the Strait of Hormuz signal a "Hormuz moment" that could erode U.S. strategic dominance, drawing a parallel to the United Kingdom’s 1950s "Suez moment." They note that the United States...
As the Hormuz Crisis Exposes ‘Fragile’ Global Supply Chains, How Will China Respond?
China’s top economic planner, Zheng Shanjie of the NDRC, warned that the US‑Israeli strikes on Iran and the resulting disruption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz expose the fragility of global supply chains. He said China had already...
China Presses IMF for Quota Reform, Better Surveillance of Advanced Economies
China’s central bank governor Pan Gongsheng urged the IMF to act as a bulwark against rising unilateralism, calling for stronger surveillance of fiscal risks in major advanced economies and a faster quota‑share realignment. He warned that protectionist policies and geopolitical...
China’s Trade with Iran, Gulf States Plunges as Strait of Hormuz Crisis Hits Energy Flows
China’s customs data show a dramatic contraction in trade with Iran and Gulf states in March, as the Strait of Hormuz crisis tightened shipping routes. Imports from Iran fell 48% year‑on‑year while exports to Tehran plunged 90%. Across eight Persian...
Asia Growth Forecasts Slashed as Iran War and Tariffs Threaten Supply Chains
International organisations have trimmed Asia‑Pacific growth outlooks as the US‑Israel war on Iran and lingering trade tensions raise costs and disrupt supply chains. The IMF now sees emerging and developing Asia expanding 4.9% in 2024, down from a 5.5% projection...
China Begins Building US$1 Billion Hydropower Station in Cambodia Amid Energy Crisis
China’s state‑owned China National Heavy Machinery Corporation has broken ground on the Upper Tatay pumped‑storage hydropower project in Cambodia’s Koh Kong province. The $1 billion, 1‑gigawatt facility will act as a “green power bank,” storing excess solar and wind energy and releasing...
In Wake of Iran War, Chinese Manufacturers Recalibrate Overseas Expansion Plans
Chinese manufacturers are reassessing overseas expansion after the Iran war heightened geopolitical risk and shipping costs. Domestic profit margins have narrowed while capacity utilization sits near 85%, prompting firms to seek higher‑margin markets abroad. Companies are scaling back projects in...
Chinese Ministry Focuses on Car Standards to Put Industry in Global Driving Seat
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced a five‑year push to accelerate automotive technical standards, aiming to position the country as a global rule‑setter. The initiative will focus on improving product quality, such as electric‑vehicle battery cycle life, and...
Vietnamese Airline to Lease up to 10 C909 Jets in Boost for Chinese Aircraft Maker
Vietnamese low‑cost carrier VietJet Air announced a lease agreement for up to ten Chinese‑made Comac C909 regional jets, financed through SPDB Financial Leasing, a subsidiary of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank. The deal follows high‑level talks between the Vietnamese and Chinese...
China Trims US Treasury Holdings Amid Rising Debt Supply as Global Ownership Hits Record
China’s central bank modestly reduced its U.S. Treasury holdings in February, continuing a multi‑year trend of diversifying its foreign‑exchange reserves. The cut came even as total foreign ownership of U.S. sovereign debt reached an all‑time high, buoyed by private investors...
China Beats Expectations with 5% Growth in First GDP Release Since Iran War
China reported a 5% year‑on‑year GDP expansion in Q1 2026, outpacing analysts’ forecasts. The growth came despite the broader geopolitical shock of the US‑Israel conflict in Iran, suggesting limited spillover to China’s economy. Policymakers see the result as a sign...
Canton Fair Under Middle East Cloud, but Sets Records, as High Costs Hit China’s Exporters
The 2026 Canton Fair in Guangzhou set new records with 75,700 booths, 32,000 companies and 1.55 million square metres of exhibition space, underscoring its role as a barometer for China’s export engine. While the fair attracted a massive turnout, escalating Middle...
IMF Cuts China’s GDP Growth Forecast to 4.4% as Iran War Pressures Global Economy
The International Monetary Fund trimmed its 2024 global growth outlook to 3.1%, lowering China’s GDP projection to 4.4% amid fallout from the Iran‑related war and higher commodity prices. The downgrade reflects weaker domestic activity in China, especially a prolonged housing...
Kazakh Sovereign Fund Issues Central Asia’s First Panda Bond in ‘Milestone’ Sale
Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund Samruk‑Kazyna sold a three‑year panda bond worth 3 billion yuan (about $440 million) in China’s onshore interbank market. The bond was priced at a record‑low 2.18% annual yield, signaling strong demand from Chinese institutional investors. This marks the...
China Turns to Central Asia as US Blockade in Hormuz Chokes Global Energy Flows
China is turning to Central Asia for energy as the Strait of Hormuz closure disrupts Middle‑East shipments. Vice‑Premier Ding Xuexiang will visit Turkmenistan, attend the groundbreaking of phase four of the Galkynysh gas field, and co‑chair a bilateral cooperation meeting....
China’s March Trade
China’s export growth decelerated to 2.5% in March while imports surged 27.8%, trimming the monthly trade surplus to $51 billion—the lowest level in more than a year. Motor vehicle shipments rose 44% and electric‑vehicle (EV) exports exploded 140%, positioning EVs as...
US, China Seen as Top AI Beneficiaries in New Growth Forecast From ‘Doctor Doom’ Economist
Renowned economist Nouriel Roubini, once famed as “Doctor Doom,” has turned bullish, forecasting that a surge in artificial intelligence and other high‑tech innovations will propel the United States into double‑digit annual growth. He projects China will experience a comparable boost,...
China, the Iran War and the Chemical Suddenly Stoking Global Supply Fears
China announced an abrupt halt to sulphuric acid exports, a key input for fertilizer and mining industries worldwide. The decision coincides with renewed tensions in the Iran‑U.S. conflict, where failed peace talks have heightened geopolitical risk. Analysts warn that reduced...
Yuan’s ‘Golden Window’ Is Open, Former PBOC Governor Says as US Dollar Credibility Teeters
Former PBOC governor Zhou Xiaochuan warned that U.S. policy choices—tariffs, sanctions and geopolitical tensions—are weakening dollar credibility, creating a "golden window" for the yuan. He noted rising capital inflows are putting upward pressure on the renminbi and highlighted China’s 2009...
Can World Bank and IMF Leaders Rescue a Global Economy on the Brink?
The World Bank and IMF will convene their annual meetings in Washington on April 13, amid escalating tensions after the US‑Israel strike on Iran. The conflict threatens global supply chains, especially energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, and could dampen...
Chinese Firms in Hungary Face a Post-Election Reckoning – No Matter Who Wins
Chinese firms operating in Hungary are bracing for the upcoming parliamentary election, fearing that a victory for the EU‑friendly Tisza party could bring stricter regulations, visa hurdles, or even asset seizures. Under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Budapest offered generous subsidies, tax...
Operator of Yiwu Market, Former Mecca of Global Consumer Goods Trade, Eyes Hong Kong IPO
Zhejiang China Commodities City Group, the state‑owned operator of the Yiwu international trade market, announced plans for a Hong Kong initial public offering to finance its overseas expansion. The company posted a 2025 net profit of ¥4.2 billion (about $614 million), up...
Global Pivot to Renewables Seen Accelerating as Hormuz Uncertainty Upends Energy Security
The US‑Israel‑Iran conflict has disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a rapid reassessment of energy security worldwide. Analysts say the crisis, which the IEA deems more severe than the 1973, 1979 and 2022 shocks combined, is accelerating...
South Korea Eases Chinese Travel Visas but Southeast Asia Rivals, Iran War Cloud Outlook
South Korea announced new multiple‑entry visas for Chinese travelers, granting five‑year visas to repeat visitors and ten‑year visas to residents of 14 major Chinese cities and investors who have put at least $1 million into the Korean economy. The move targets...
Andrew Tilton on China’s Growth Prospects, Economic Trajectory in Wake of Iran War
Goldman Sachs chief Asia‑Pacific economist Andrew Tilton told the South China Morning Post that China’s property slump has passed its worst phase, removing a major drag on growth. He highlighted that GDP is now projected to rebound above 5% this...
‘Liberation Day’ Anniversary, War on Iran, Taiwan’s KMT Visits Beijing
China commemorated the anniversary of its Liberation Day with large‑scale patriotic displays and a televised military parade, underscoring Beijing’s emphasis on national unity. At the same time, Chinese officials issued stark warnings to the United States and its allies over...
Leapmotor Targets Global Growth with Europe R&D Hub, Eyes Canada Assembly
Chinese electric‑vehicle maker Leapmotor announced a new research and development centre in Europe and is evaluating local assembly operations in Canada. The company has lifted its overseas sales target, citing rising global fuel costs and recently eased import tariffs on...
The US-China Trade War 1 Year On: Who Really Holds the Upper Hand?
One year after the US‑China trade war escalated, both economies remain locked in a fragile truce that prevents a full‑scale confrontation but leaves many tariffs in place. Washington continues to leverage technology export controls, while Beijing relies on its massive...
‘China Shock 2.0’ Is a False Narrative Born of Western Anxiety: Chinese Media
Chinese state‑run Economic Daily published front‑page editorials denying the existence of a so‑called “China shock 2.0.” The outlet argues that China’s export engine remains strong and that the real threat to the global economy is rising protectionism, not a slowdown in...
Air China Subsidiary to Lease 10 Boeing Jets in Deals Worth About US$400 Million
Shandong Airlines, an Air China subsidiary, announced a lease of ten Boeing 737‑800 jets valued at about $400 million. The move aims to replace aging aircraft and modernize its domestic network. The lease comes weeks before President Donald Trump’s planned trade...
Chinese Market Regulator Tells Firms to Focus on Healthy Competition Overseas
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation urged major exporters such as BYD and CATL to adopt healthier, fair‑competition practices as they expand abroad. The regulator highlighted the need to curb “involution‑style” competition that squeezes margins and forces costly overseas moves....
Iran War Shows China’s Urgent Need to Plug Maritime Insurance Gap: Expert
Recent conflicts, from the US‑Israel war on Iran to the Russia‑Ukraine crisis, have highlighted China's dependence on foreign maritime insurance providers. Expert Chen Jihong warned that while China excels in shipbuilding hardware, its "software"—legal and financial services like insurance—remains underdeveloped....
China’s Lidar Giants Pivot to Robotics as Jensen Huang Praises Chinese Supply Chain
China’s top lidar manufacturers Hesai Group and RoboSense are redirecting capital into robotics, with Hesai earmarking roughly $28.9 million to create perception and actuation modules for robots and RoboSense delivering 303,000 units while posting its first quarterly profit. Both firms posted...
Iran War: Why a Trump Climbdown Won’t Save Asia’s Economies
A year after President Trump’s trade assault, Asian economies escaped tariff fallout thanks to market pressure and AI‑driven growth, but the Iran‑Israel war has reignited a severe energy shock. Goldman Sachs warns that soaring oil and LNG prices could derail...
As Iran War Rages, China Links Peace to Economic Growth at Boao Forum
At the Boao Forum for Asia, China’s top legislator Zhao Leji warned that power politics should give way to economic development amid the ongoing US‑Israeli war on Iran. He pledged that Beijing will keep promoting free trade, openness and a...
Amid Struggles at Home, 80% of Chinese Companies in EU Plan More Investment
A recent survey by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to the EU finds that almost 80% of Chinese companies operating in Europe plan to increase investment, despite citing policy uncertainty. In contrast, only 38% of European firms intend to expand...
Why the Iran War Could Be a ‘Game-Changer’ for EVs – and China’s Car Industry
Rising oil prices sparked by the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran are prompting consumers worldwide to consider electric vehicles as a cost‑effective alternative. Analysts say the price shock could accelerate EV adoption, directly benefiting Chinese automakers who recently overtook Japan as...
China’s Hainan Wants More than Beach Tourism. Will New Customs Rules Cause a Sea Change?
China’s Hainan province is pivoting from a beach‑tourism‑centric economy to a broader, sustainable growth model anchored by its new designation as a free‑trade port. Recent customs reforms will streamline cross‑border clearance, lower tariffs and introduce a “single window” system for...
As Global Yuan Use Expands, Questions Resurface About China’s World-Leading Forex Reserves
A Renmin University report urges China to trim its $3.42 trillion foreign‑exchange reserves, which sit at roughly 16% of GDP, to a more moderate level of about 11.5% of GDP as the yuan gains global traction. The paper argues that a...
US Federal Debt Becoming ‘Alarmingly Unsustainable’ as Iran War Fuels Spending: Analysts
U.S. sovereign debt surged to $39 trillion, a level analysts deem alarmingly unsustainable, as war‑related spending on Iran adds pressure. The debt rose $2 trillion in just a few months, with Biden’s administration issuing $4.7 trillion of new 10‑year debt since 2021. Experts...
Survey Shows China’s Professionals Have High Expectations – for Low Pay
A Hays survey of 13,000 Asian professionals shows 44 percent of Chinese workers expect no pay rise in 2026, the highest rate across the region. Over half (51 percent) received no salary increase last year, and 6 percent even faced cuts, reflecting deepening...
China’s Central Bank Pledges Stability in Capital Markets Amid Global Sell-Off
China’s central bank has elevated capital‑market stability to a major task for 2026, pledging to safeguard stock, bond and foreign‑exchange markets amid heightened global volatility. The announcement came as the Shanghai Composite slipped 1.39%, reflecting broader sell‑offs triggered by the...
As War in Iran Roils Energy Markets, Europe Pays Price of ‘Dependency’
Europe’s energy markets were jolted on Thursday as military strikes on Qatar and Iran drove natural‑gas prices above €70/MWh and Brent crude past $114 per barrel, levels not seen since the 2022 Russia‑Ukraine war. French officials highlighted that 90% of...
If the Iran War Takes Oil Above US$120 a Barrel, How Bad Could the Shock Get?
The escalating US‑Israel‑Iran conflict has pushed crude prices above $120 a barrel as Iranian forces strike Gulf oil and LNG infrastructure and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Analysts warn that the disruption could evolve into a prolonged supply shock,...