42 h. ago China plans to ‘vigorously boost consumption’ to shore up economy

Communist party aims to ‘promote reasonable wage growth’ and to reduce financial burdens amid Trump tariffsBusiness live – latest updatesChina’s government has announced ambitious plans to “vigorously boost consumption” by putting up pay and reducing financial burdens, in its latest attempt to increase consumer confidence and lift its struggling economy.The plans, announced by the ruling Chinese Communist party’s (CCP) central committee and state council on Sunday, include aims to “promote reasonable wage growth” and to improve the mechanisms for adjusting the minimum wage. Continue reading...

Politics

6 d. ago China can live with Trump’s tariffs – his bullish foreign policy will help Beijing in the long term | Steve Tsang

By turning his back on US allies and global institutions, Trump will help Xi Jinping advance his plan for a China-centric worldIs Donald Trump China’s worst nightmare or a dream come true? He is both, but not in equal measure. In the near-term, his tariff-led approach to trade will cause problems for Beijing. However, in just a few weeks he has done more damage to the liberal international order, the cohesion of the democratic west, and the US’s global standing, than all the combined efforts to undermine them in the entirety of the cold war. This goes beyond the wildest dreams China’s leaders could have had.The tariffs already levied are serious enough, and Beijing cannot but see them as a harbinger of more to come. Unlike during his first term, this time Trump seems prepared to deliver the threats he makes. With China’s economy already misfiring, an intensified trade war is the last thing Beijing needs, despite the bravado of its diplomats.Steve Tsang is director of the China Insti...

Politics

1 week ago A growing appetite for jellyfish promised a boom for fishers in Honduras. But then the storms came

A decade after Chinese investment, La Mosquitia’s processing plant is sitting idle and jobs have been lost as the climate crisis takes its tollIn 2014, Chinese investors visited La Mosquitia, a remote region in eastern Honduras. Amazed by the abundant jellyfish, they eagerly installed a processing plant to export the product to China, where they are served as a delicacy.Encouraged by the new investments, local communities adopted jellyfish fishing, which quickly became a critical source of income. The trade provided economic benefits in an area with few jobs, increasing local incomes and building community resilience, despite concerns that large-scale jellyfish fishing can disturb marine ecosystems by disrupting food chains. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Hong Kong firm to sell stake in Panama ports amid Trump pressure

Deal with US finance giant BlackRock, valued at almost $23bn, comes amid push to curb perceived China influenceCK Hutchison Holdings, the Hong Kong-based logistics giant, announced plans to sell a majority stake in a business that controls ports in Panama to investors including the US financial giant BlackRock in a deal worth almost $23bn.The sale of a 90% interest in Panama Ports Company, which holds the contract to run the ports of Balboa and Cristóbal until 2047, comes as Donald Trump piles on pressure to end what he sees as China’s influence and control over the Panama canal. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Trudeau addresses Trump directly as he rips into his ‘dumb’ tariffs

Mexico, Canada, and China all plan to hit U.S. with retaliatory tariffs in response to Trump’s policies

Politics

2 w. ago Tariffs on Canada and Mexico to take effect but may not be at 25% Trump threatened – US politics live

Commerce secretary says president would determine whether to stick with the planned level in first indication it could changeDonald Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China could force American consumers to pay an average of $1,200 more per year, a prominent economic thinktank warns.An analysis from the Peterson Institute for International Economics found that the tariffs would prompt retaliation from foreign governments, harming economic growth and leading to higher import costs that would be passed on to American households. Here’s more:This past weekend, President Donald Trump announced the largest tax increase in at least a generation (since 1993 or before), with the imposition of 25 percent tariffs on most goods from Canada and Mexico (aside from Canadian energy, which faces a 10 percent tariff), alongside a 10 percent increase in tariffs on goods from China. The direct cost of these actions to the typical, or median, US household would be a tax increase of mo...

Politics

2 w. ago Republicans urge Britain to oppose China’s plans for new embassy in London

Republicans urge Britain to oppose China’s plans for new embassy in London  South China Morning Post

Politics

2 w. ago US lawmakers warn on China’s planned London embassy ahead of Starmer

Letting Beijing build largest embassy in Europe seen as inappropriate reward given its human rights record

Events

3 w. ago How China plans to eliminate severe air pollution within months

Authorities have ramped up efforts in pollution control and emissions reduction in the ‘battle for blue skies’

Politics

3 w. ago Passenger jets from Sydney 'forced to divert pretty quickly' after China warships start 'live firing' exercise

China and Taiwan clashed earlier this week after a Canadian military ship sailed through the Taiwan Strait

Events

3 w. ago Passenger jets forced to divert after Chinese warships start live firing exercise amid growing tensions

China and Taiwan clashed earlier this week after a Canadian military ship sailed through the Taiwan Strait

Events

3 w. ago China navy helicopter conducts ‘dangerous’ manoeuvres close to Philippine plane

Footage distributed by the Philippine coast guard shows what it has described as a Chinese navy helicopter performing "dangerous" flight manoeuvres on Tuesday, 18 February, close to a government aircraft patrolling a disputed shoal in the South China Sea.

Politics

4 w. ago Grangemouth closure 'part of China fuel plan', warns union chief

SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: Unite's general secretary has warned that the refinery's closure will allow China to advance it's plan for jet fuel provision.

Events

4 w. ago Philippines accuses Chinese plane of flying ‘dangerously’ close to its aircraft over South China Sea

The Philippine coast guard on Tuesday accused a Chinese Navy helicopter of flying "dangerously" close to its patrol plane on Tuesday in a disputed area of the South China Sea.

Transport

4 w. ago Cook Islands releases terms of deal with China amid protests about lack of transparency

Agreement includes sections on deep-sea mining and education, document shows, as opposition accuses PM of risking relationship with New ZealandA strategic partnership deal between China and the Cook Islands spans areas from deep-sea mining to education scholarships but excludes security ties, a document released by the Pacific island nation’s government showed.Western nations that traditionally held sway in the region have become increasingly concerned about China’s plans to increase influence after Beijing signed defence, trade and financial deals with Pacific countries in the last three years. Continue reading...

Economics