This Month
‘Not going to last’: China’s economy holds steady for now
China’s economy grew 5.2 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter as resilience in exports helped to offset sluggish domestic demand in the giant economy.
Rumours of Xi’s downfall distract from China’s real challenges
The notion that Xi Jinping is about to be toppled is a distraction from the real cleavages in Chinese politics.
The fading power of Xi Jinping
In a system built on secrecy, no one knows the reality behind the scenes, but there are signs China’s leader could be in political trouble.
June
Cash-strapped Beijing drinkers turn to unlicensed ‘home bars’
The proliferation of illicit bars is a reminder that the world’s second-largest economy was already suffering from weak consumption even before the tariff war.
China steel demand slump an ‘ominous’ sign for ASX miners
The latest data from the world’s second-largest economy does not bode well for the ASX’s iron ore giants.
April
A master’s no longer a golden ticket – just ask the AI job interviewer
Wendy Qin has a higher degree in management on top of her commerce degree. She applied for 40 jobs before landing her first gig.
March
Signs of consumer pick-up as China fights off tariff hit
Data released on Tuesday showed retail sales rose 4 per cent in the January-February period, better than a 3.7 per cent rise in December.
China set to repeat 5pc growth target at annual political gathering
Investors and markets are watching the National People’s Congress for signs of how Xi Jinping plans to withstand Donald Trump’s tariffs on the sluggish economy.
February
DeepSeek is a sign of China’s structural shift, not decline
Contrary to the narrative that China’s private sector has been squeezed into irrelevance, major developments in new industries are being led by young entrepreneurs.
January
China’s economy loses steam ahead of new year holiday
The official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index fell to 49.1, the lowest since August, missing economists’ forecast for a modest expansion.
Has China already reached peak oil?
The country’s demand for crude seems to be plateauing sooner than expected. The implications are huge
Iron ore could collapse 30pc as Rio Tinto floods market
The latest rally in iron ore prices is expected to be short-lived, with Westpac warning the commodity could plummet 30 per cent from current levels.
China poised to hit its 2024 growth target: Xi
The Chinese president’s disclosure capped off a year of economic uncertainty, with the growth goal initially seen as a ‘target without a plan’.
December 2024
Weak consumption drags on China as Trump tariff threat looms
Weaker retail figures come despite a boost from online shopping promotions and government-subsidised trade-in programs that have lifted sales in some sectors.
China slowdown to rip $8.5b from federal budget: Chalmers
The treasurer’s downbeat assessment came despite Beijing last week announcing plans to stoke the country’s slowing economy next year with a “moderately loose” monetary policy.
China’s ‘bazooka’ stimulus will have to wait - again
Beijing says “vigorous” efforts to boost domestic consumption are the country’s top economic priority, but details are once again lacking.
The four charts that show what’s wrong with China’s economy
Key indicators reveal the challenges facing Chinese policymakers as they gather to deal with the task of balancing short-term stimulus with longer-term reforms.
October 2024
Rio Tinto considers iron ore strategy shift
Rio Tinto is reviewing its iron ore product strategy after low-grade volumes accounted for 19 per cent of sales. Analysts say investors should be concerned.
Why China is hesitant to fire its stimulus bazooka
China bulls want stimulus, and quick. But three big roadblocks stand in the way.
August 2024
Australia’s iron ore future is different, not dead
There’s plenty of red dirt in Fortescue’s results – which makes it a bit different to its two big rivals. Andrew Forrest is in China trying to work it out.