Xi Jinping urges ‘to the letter’ compliance as China’s economic recovery remains top concern

Xi Jinping urges ‘to the letter’ compliance as China’s economic recovery remains top concern

Xi’s comments, seen in a report released in the wake of the two-day conference, offer essential guidance for policymakers – and for observers, clear signs the country’s top leader sees movement has been lacking. You cannot procrastinate, dragging on small things until they become big ones, and delaying big things until they explodeXi Jinping “To … Read more

Chinese banker jailed for life in US$483 million corruption case, largest ever in country’s history

Chinese banker jailed for life in US3 million corruption case, largest ever in country’s history

The court ruled that Xu, in his role as bank chief, and his accomplices had embezzled more than 900 million yuan (US$125.4 million) in US dollars, Hong Kong dollars and German marks. Their misdeeds transpired through fraudulent loans, misappropriated loan repayments and the siphoning of bank funds to other accounts, it added. The group was … Read more

From outer space to seven seas, China has 6 ambitious priorities as Beijing plots economic recovery in 2024

From outer space to seven seas, China has 6 ambitious priorities as Beijing plots economic recovery in 2024

China’s annual two-day central economic work conference, which concluded on Tuesday, laid down expansive policy priorities for the world’s second-largest economy to carve out a stronger recovery path in 2024. From boosting business sentiment to better coordination among ministries, the 4,355-character readout of the meeting chaired by President Xi Jinping contained a long to-do list. … Read more

Xi Jinping warns top officials to contain political risks to avoid China’s economy, society being hit by ‘butterfly effect’

Xi Jinping warns top officials to contain political risks to avoid China’s economy, society being hit by ‘butterfly effect’

“Small risks will become big risks, risks will become general risks, and economic and social risks will become political risks.” In the speech, Xi also asked officials to “identify risks early, act quickly, take command at the front and make immediate judgments as soon as they arise”. 03:12 Xi Jinping, Joe Biden hold talks on … Read more

China’s former railway head sentenced to 15 years in prison for corruption

China’s former railway head sentenced to 15 years in prison for corruption

China’s former railway minister Sheng Guangzu has been given a 15-year prison sentence for corruption, a court in Shanxi province announced on Tuesday. Sheng, 74, was found guilty of taking bribes totalling 63.8 million yuan (US$8.9 million) from 2004 to 2022, according to the Baoji Intermediate People’s Court. Sheng was the latest of China’s powerful … Read more

Cross-strait tensions no hurdle for Taiwanese shoppers – if the price is right

Cross-strait tensions no hurdle for Taiwanese shoppers – if the price is right

Taiwanese consumers like Hsu often buy gear from mainland China when prices are low and device efficacy is sufficient to satisfy their needs, a quality widely described as cost-performance value, or just “CP value”. If not, politics may intrude. “Even though there are some geopolitical tensions, consumers in Taiwan still buy made-in-China products as long … Read more

China’s bus operators seek new cash routes as subsidies dry up and commuters opt for cars, Didi or underground

China’s bus operators seek new cash routes as subsidies dry up and commuters opt for cars, Didi or underground

Hailed as “the greener and more affordable way to pick up your bride”, the wedding bus is among the new charter services China’s public bus operators have started to offer as they seek new sources of revenue. Others include providing catering buses for company outings and family tomb-sweeping trips to honour ancestors. According to Wang, … Read more

China launches new data agency as ambitions in AI and digital economy soar

China launches new data agency as ambitions in AI and digital economy soar

According to a government reform plan issued in March by the State Council, China’s cabinet, the NDA will take over many responsibilities from the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the country’s top watchdog in charge of web regulation. China reveals plans for data enforcement super agency Specifically, the NDA has been tasked with driving China’s … Read more

China’s public prosecutors warned to be alert to risk of popular backlash over handling of cases

China’s public prosecutors warned to be alert to risk of popular backlash over handling of cases

China’s public prosecutors have been warned to be alert to the risk of a popular backlash when handling court cases. The Chinese government has imposed some of the world’s strictest controls on public expression, but is still hypersensitive to the risk of any public outcry, which it fears could threaten social stability. The instruction to … Read more

Taiwan’s presidential front runner William Lai picks de facto envoy to US as running mate

Taiwan’s presidential front runner William Lai picks de facto envoy to US as running mate

Taiwan’s opposition set for last-ditch talks on joint presidential ticket “I believe Bi-khim is definitely the best person when it comes to Taiwan’s foreign work today and she is also a rare diplomatic talent,” Lai said on Facebook on Monday. He said Hsiao had helped improve the island’s ties with Washington in recent years, and … Read more