Has China, after long-awaited third plenum, given its market a demotion?

Has China, after long-awaited third plenum, given its market a demotion?

The use of “better leverage” in reference to the role of the market at the twice-a-decade event – formally known as the third plenum of the party’s 20th Central Committee – slightly deviates from rhetoric used at the same gatherings in 2013 and 2018, when the market was granted a “decisive role” in resource allocation. … 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 third plenum: the 5 burning questions heating up debate – and our take

China’s third plenum: the 5 burning questions heating up debate – and our take

China has – after some delay – scheduled the much-anticipated third plenum of its Communist Party’s Central Committee for Monday, with the four-day meeting expected to shape the country’s economic strategy for the next five to 10 years. Previous third plenums unveiled landmark changes. At the plenum of 1978, the policy of reform and opening … Read more

Exclusive | Stephen Roach on how Beijing can right its economic course and the US’ big China ‘blunder’

Exclusive | Stephen Roach on how Beijing can right its economic course and the US’ big China ‘blunder’

Now, nearly 11 years later, I would have to say that while the Chinese economy has progressed on many fronts, the implementation of those reforms has been disappointing. I think the critique that was raised by former Premier Wen Jiabao in March of 2007 – when he warned that the Chinese economy, while strong on … Read more

China seeks to hop tech hurdles with robots, 6G as industrial development hits crossroads

China seeks to hop tech hurdles with robots, 6G as industrial development hits crossroads

China pledged on Friday to make breakthroughs in emerging industries – including bleeding-edge fields like humanoid robots, 6G mobile technology and atomic-level manufacturing – that could enhance its strength in the high-growth tech arena while preserving traditional sectors as a bedrock. The country’s unique system – which can concentrate resources on specific benchmarks – can … 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

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