Yesterday
China’s inflation drops below zero for first time in a year
A clearer read on the inflation trend will emerge in March, as investors look for signs that the government’s stimulus is translating into stronger demand.
February
Schools risk losing scholarships under Trump DEI directive
The Education Department warned it will punish schools and colleges that consider race in scholarships, hiring and an array of other activities.
This Chinese app could shape the election. It’s not TikTok
Rednote skyrocketed in popularity after a potential ban on TikTok was announced. Now Australian politicians on all sides are flocking to it.
Alibaba claims its AI model is even better than DeepSeek
A series of Chinese companies are working to beat DeekSeek in the artificial intelligence race, with tech giant Alibaba touting its new model.
January
Fundie says this Chinese video app could be the next TikTok
Ox Capital’s Joseph Lai says video platform Kuaishou is cheap and explains why he’s confident the performance of Hong Kong-listed Chinese equities will pick up.
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.
Inside the high-roller room at struggling Star’s new casino
Bored-looking dealers amid golden opulence. There are not as many big-paying customers as Star Entertainment would like at the most exclusive space in its sparkly new Brisbane casino.
September 2024
China stimulus hopes rise as PBoC cuts rate, flags briefing
The People’s Bank of China lowered the 14-day reverse repurchase rate, catching up with reductions initiated in July, and flagged further moves on Tuesday.
March 2024
Bridge collapse sends firms scrambling to re-route cargo
Baltimore’s port has become increasingly important to US retailers and manufacturers seeking to diversify their supply networks and bring goods closer to customers.
China’s growth mixed as output jumps, consumption lags
Industrial output rose 7 per cent in January and February from the same period a year earlier. However, consumer and business confidence remains subdued.
February 2024
China property giant Country Garden faces demands to liquidate
The developer overtook Evergrande as the epicentre of China’s property crisis when it defaulted on a dollar bond in October.
Xi sacks China’s top markets regulator to halt rout
The replacement comes after Chinese authorities struggle to stop a sell-off in the world’s second-largest sharemarket.
How this tour guide pivoted when Chinese visitors stopped arriving
Sydney-based tourism operator Justin Steele once his used Mandarin skills to attract Chinese travellers with bilingual tours. He doesn’t bother anymore.
January 2024
China factory activity shrinks in ‘no sign of turning point’
An official gauge of China’s manufacturing activity showed contraction for a fourth consecutive month in January, signalling continued weakness in the economy.
Houthi attacks are idling car factories and delaying new fashion
Attacks on ships in the Red Sea are delivering another shock to global trade, coming on top of pandemic-related logjams at ports and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
March 2023
China industrial profits drop on weak demand, falling prices
The plunge in profits came despite data earlier this month showing industrial output rebounded in the first two months of the year.
Condoms to cosmetics: China sales surge in revival
Resilient sales in China would be a relief for global companies struggling with higher energy and wage costs, and as customers elsewhere slow spending on high inflation.
China’s factory activity notches fastest growth in decade
China’s manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest pace in more than a decade in February, as demand recovered after the scrapping of COVID-zero curbs.
February 2023
China’s recovery hinges on consumers – and they’re not spending
Beijing was betting on a wave of “revenge spending” as Chinese consumers emerged from three years of zero-covid restrictions. It hasn’t happened.
January 2023
China vows to boost consumption to power recovery
Consumption jumped during the just-ended Lunar New Year holidays.