Why soybeans are a proxy for US-China trade war?
Soybeans have hit the headlines after being caught up in the China-US trade dispute. The tit-for-tat tariffs imposed by the two economic powerhouses have sent US soybean prices plunging to near 10-year lows, creating issues for producers and importers alike.
China can achieve 8% growth for next two decades
As China became the world's second-largest economy after growing at an annual average rate of about 9.5 percent over the past four decades, last year, socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. There are many understandings and interpretations about the new era, and here are some of mine.
China needs new mobility concepts for AI vehicle age
Governments can stimulate markets in many ways. China has for some time concentrated on developing its transport infrastructure – with fast inter-urban trains, highways and regional airports, most cities are only a few hours apart. This permits human and material resources to flow more easily to nurture the nation's economic growth prospects.
BoE governor fails to look at China's economy, risks objectively
A warning by Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mark Carney calling China “a risk to the global economy” in relation to the financial sector is essentially lopsided. Risks in China's financial system are controllable overall and pose no risk to global financial stability.
Data hides difficult times facing China's private firms
The development of China's private sector in the past 40 years has been miraculous. The private sector has now become an inseparable part of the Chinese economy.
Chinese companies need support amid restructuring
Social security in China will change big time in 2019 as tax bureaus are given the power to collect social security contributions. With the social security bureau responsible for collection, only a limited number of Chinese companies, especially privately owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), have made the correct payments for employees. Stricter enforcement is expected under the tax bureau.
China to take robust measures to boost economy
Fresh statistics show that China's economy is in good shape, though many people are deeply concerned about the downward pressure that's been building since the beginning of this year.
AI 'gold rush' mentality in China might backfire
The sober reality ought to give more weight to efforts that will strengthen China's tech fundamentals, AI implementation in particular.
Is US dollar's era of global dominance set to end?
As the US frequently slaps unilateral trade protectionism measures on other economies and could easily threaten yet others with economic and financial sanctions, many countries – including France, Germany, Turkey and Iran – have proposed to withdraw from the US dollar-based system and build a payments system independent of the dollar.
Exchange rate mechanism matters more for China than yuan targets
Exchange rate determination is a complex process including both the exchange rate itself and its mechanism. Which one requires more attention? The mechanism is the factor China should focus on right now.
Positive views of China-Africa ties are mainstream
Since the beginning of the 21st century, China and Africa have added depth and breadth to their bilateral cooperation. This, along with China's growing popularity in Africa, has drawn particular attention from developed European countries, the US and some emerging economies.
Battery technology breakthrough needed for EVs in China
Many have argued that the electric vehicle (EV) sector could finally be an area where China could surpass traditional car manufacturing powers such as Europe, the US and Japan, but without any technological breakthrough for batteries, such talk is just nonsense.
Malaysia still a promising market for Chinese firms
Although there have been some setbacks in Belt and Road (B&R) projects, China and Malaysia are exploring more cooperation opportunities not limited to infrastructure projects. Since Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad came to power, the country has been recalibrating its relationship with China. Many Chinese enterprises have been deterred from making investment decisions due to the possible future uncertainties. Global Times (GT) correspondent Bai Yunyi interviewed Will Fung (Fung), chairman of the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, to try and understand the position of the new Malaysian government on Chinese companies and investment.
Better coordination with AU to promote B&R in Africa
Since last year, African countries have sought more of a voice in the international arena. In particular, smaller countries on the continent have more say on matters about Africa, and that's posed new challenges for the Belt and Road (B&R) initiative.
Sri Lanka not pressured into loan deal with China
With its strategically important geographic location, Sri Lanka has become a key point in the China-proposed Belt and Road (B&R) initiative. But after a port project developed by Chinese companies in Sri Lanka failed to achieve satisfactory performance and was acquired by Chinese firms, projects under the B&R initiative have become a target of rising global criticism. However, Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Karunasena Kodituwakku (Kodituwakku) painted a completely different picture of the situation in a recent interview with Global Times (GT) reporter Wang Cong.
Globalized yuan can lend support to B&R initiative
The Belt and Road (B&R) initiative has achieved some success and gained some international influence, but it's been a tough process. Despite the considerable amount of resources invested, the positive economic and political effects are still limited. The initiative has also encountered some criticism on debt issues, investment efficiency and sustainability.
CPEC offers win-win situation for 'iron brothers'
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is being widely discussed and covered in the media, but the relations between Pakistan and China go much further than the CPEC. We are strategic partners and our relationship has a long history. Chinese traders used to pass through Pakistan several thousand years ago.
China-Pakistan agro ties can address trade imbalance
For some time now, Pakistani traders have been talking about the trade imbalance with China. Pakistan has developing industrial potential but it can't match China. However, in November this year, an opportunity is coming that might shift the balance of trade into a more mutually beneficial situation.