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.
Rising CPI signals less leeway for monetary easing
China's consumer price index (CPI) jumped 2.9 percent year-on-year in February, accelerating to its fastest pace since December 2013. The consumer inflation reading fell below 2 percent between April and June before rising to 2.1 percent in July. The CPI on a monthly basis also returned to positive territory in July after posting negative growth from March to June.
China must overcome the fear of yuan depreciation
At a seminar at Fudan University in Shanghai in December 2016, I argued that it doesn't matter whether or when the yuan would weaken beyond 7.0 to the US dollar, but it would matter if the nation massively depletes its foreign exchange reserves without justified causes.
Africa seeks constructive cooperation with China
With the 2018 Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled for September 3-4, China is gearing up to receive delegates from the African continent to discuss progress in the strategic relationship and map out the future of a win-win model that is at the core of China's engagement internationally.
Turkish crisis offers lesson for emerging markets
Turkey's economic crisis may have been triggered by crippling tariffs on steel and aluminum imposed by the US, but there is a much deeper reason for the collapse of the Turkish lira, and it's one that other emerging markets must watch out for.
Can China isolate itself from global financial risks?
The Turkish lira crisis has continued to worsen, shaking global stock markets as well. Asian and emerging markets were damaged the most, and the damage also spread to the US stock market.
Looming demographic shock requires quick action
The new Chinese zodiac postage stamp issued by China Post, depicting a happy pig family with three piglets, has stirred discussion about whether the family planning policy will be abolished.
Only real economy can ensure China's sustainable progress
During the economic development of the past 40 years, China has seen the emergence of a number of famous brands such as the tech giants known as BAT (Baidu, Alibaba and Tencent). But behind the shining record, there are weaknesses and risks. There has been a lot of zeal for speculation, especially in the real estate market, and the real economy has been somewhat neglected due to its perceived low returns.
Efforts needed to counter anti-CPEC propaganda
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned the IMF against providing Pakistan with a bailout package to rescue its fragile economy. US Secretary of Defense James Mattis has also voiced concerns about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), saying that the corridor passes through so-called “disputed territory.” US apprehensions about Pakistan-China relations in general and the CPEC in particular stem from strategic calculations based on the geopolitics of this region.