China’s localities need ‘profound reform’ to draw investment, state newspaper says

China’s localities need ‘profound reform’ to draw investment, state newspaper says

China’s localities should reduce their dependence on land and tax incentives and instead strengthen industrial chains and improve their business environments to attract investment, a state-owned newspaper has urged in a front-page commentary. Aggressive land deals, tax breaks and subsidies – frequently used to drive investment by local governments in past decades – have led … Read more

China stays the course on reform after third plenum, leaving Western businesses in limbo

China stays the course on reform after third plenum, leaving Western businesses in limbo

“Instead, it seems that we must prepare for a policy marked by caution and continuity.” Third plenums – this one a meeting of the Communist Party’s 20th Central Committee – have historically precipitated extensive changes to the country’s economy, with sweeping ideological statements issued to chart the course of policy for the next five years … Read more

China battens down the hatches for blustery trade winds as odds of Trump victory rise

China battens down the hatches for blustery trade winds as odds of Trump victory rise

In 2018 and 2019, his administration imposed tariffs of up to 25 per cent on hundreds of billions of US dollars of Chinese goods. During this year’s campaign he has already issued sterner threats, including duties in excess of 60 per cent on all Chinese imports. “It seems we are already adapting gradually,” Chen said. … Read more

China’s foreign investment, confidence push gathers speed as top officials highlight ‘win-win opportunities’

China’s foreign investment, confidence push gathers speed as top officials highlight ‘win-win opportunities’

China’s top leadership has gone all out to revive confidence and lure foreign investment in intensive meetings with foreign business leaders in recent days, setting out the “win-win opportunities ahead”, as Beijing seeks to achieve a seemingly challenging economic growth target for 2024. In a rare move, nearly all top-level officials responsible for economic affairs … Read more

China’s construction for Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara to lead growing overseas city-building portfolio

China’s construction for Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara to lead growing overseas city-building portfolio

“It’s fair to say that China has the strongest squad of engineers and constructors, who have benefited from the country’s building boom since the mid-2000s,” said Xu Tianchen, a senior China-based economist with the Economist Intelligence Unit. “China is also experienced in providing full life cycle solutions, from financing to construction and maintenance, which make … Read more

China’s ‘two sessions’ 2024: did Premier Li Qiang’s speech move the needle for foreign, private business?

China’s ‘two sessions’ 2024: did Premier Li Qiang’s speech move the needle for foreign, private business?

Beijing is angling to revive confidence in private entrepreneurs and foreign investors via a renewed campaign for a unified national market and better business environment – an essential task to fulfil its ambitious expansion target of around 5 per cent and ensure economic stability in 2024. In his maiden government work report on Tuesday, Premier … Read more