59 h. ago China steps up global aviation expansion as Comac bids for Laos carrier

The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has reportedly bid to take a majority stake in the flag carrier of Laos, as the state-owned Chinese aviation firm continues its push to expand its market in Southeast Asia. The deal – which is pending approval by the Lao authorities – would see Comac help Lao Airlines overhaul its operations and stem its losses in exchange for the carrier agreeing to use the Chinese company’s passenger jets, Vientiane Times quoted Prime Minister Sonexay...

Politics

60 h. ago As Chinese exporters explore home market, how are letters of credit helping?

After the United States imposed so-called reciprocal tariffs on imports from China in April, Beijing took steps to help Chinese exporters sell their products domestically. In addition to the staging of product promotion events across the country and the offering of fiscal and financial incentives, Beijing also encouraged the increased use of letters of credit (L/Cs) to help such businesses switch focus to the domestic market. What is a domestic letter of credit? A letter of credit, also known as...

Politics

4 d. ago Huawei launches Pura 80 smartphone series in next step of China comeback

Huawei launches Pura 80 smartphone series in next step of China comeback  Reuters

Politics

6 d. ago US soybean farmers move to reduce dependence on China as trade war grinds on

Soybean farmers in the United States have stepped up efforts to diversify their export markets while maintaining China as a critical buyer, despite ongoing trade tensions between the two superpowers, according to the head of a leading industry association. Jim Sutter, CEO of the US Soybean Export Council, said that while concerns about possible disruptions persist, China’s strong demand for soybeans – a crucial commodity for food and livestock feed – would ensure the US remains an important...

Events

7 d. ago Tech hub Shenzhen launches plan to support consumption, exporters amid trade war

China’s top export city and tech hub, Shenzhen, is stepping up efforts to boost domestic consumption and support exporters amid a turbulent trade war between Beijing and Washington. “Consumption is the fundamental driving force behind economic growth and development,” according to a 39-point plan released by the Shenzhen Municipal Development and Reform Commission on Friday. Shenzhen will leverage its strategic strengths in four key categories: artificial intelligence (AI) terminals, smart home...

Events

7 d. ago China puts down strong grass roots in first steps to football superpower status

Ten years have passed since President Xi Jinping, who is reported to be a fan of the game, unveiled a plan to make China a “world football superpower” by 2050. Since then, the men’s national team has been overshadowed by its consistently excellent women’s counterpart, while falling in the world rankings from 2016’s 81st place to 94th in April. The scandal-stricken football sector has also become a focus of Xi’s anti-corruption campaign in recent years. Yet China has not missed all its...

Politics

8 d. ago Step aside Shanghai, Hong Kong is China’s prize financial hub

When Yan Jun was looking around last year for a stock market to raise capital for his Beijing-based traffic-control software company, the engineer and chairman thought he was spoiled for choice. He could sell shares of his 10-year-old company AICT on one of the three mainland exchanges – Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen – that together make up the world’s second-biggest capital market, with a combined value of US$10 trillion, according to Bloomberg data. Or he could raise capital offshore by...

Politics

8 d. ago New virus found in China ‘only small step’ from infecting humans, risking another pandemic, scientists warn

New virus found in China ‘only small step’ from infecting humans, risking another pandemic, scientists warn  The Independent

Events

9 d. ago China demonstrates coast guard capability to Pacific nations, step towards high seas patrols

China demonstrates coast guard capability to Pacific nations, step towards high seas patrols  Reuters

Events

1 week ago Mercedes, BMW Step Up Response to China Export Curbs to Avoid Shortages

Mercedes, BMW Step Up Response to China Export Curbs to Avoid Shortages  Bloomberg.com

Politics

1 week ago Still ‘over’? Stephen Roach says Hong Kong a surprise winner in US

American economist Stephen Roach has said that Hong Kong has benefited from the US-China trade war despite last year having declared the city to be “over”, even as he claimed that other aspects of the financial hub had worsened. The former Morgan Stanley Asia chairman sparked debate last year after he penned an opinion piece which argued, in part, that Hong Kong would be caught in the “crossfire” of the worsening US-China rivalry. “The word caught is the word that, if I had to write the piece...

Politics

1 week ago Hong Kong’s still ‘over’ but Stephen Roach says city a surprise trade war winner

American economist Stephen Roach has said that Hong Kong has benefited from the US-China trade war despite last year having declared the city to be “over”, even as he claimed that other aspects of the financial hub had worsened. The former Morgan Stanley Asia chairman sparked debate last year after he penned an opinion piece which argued, in part, that Hong Kong would be caught in the “crossfire” of the worsening US-China rivalry. “The word caught is the word that, if I had to write the piece...

Events

1 week ago After Trump cut funding for energy transitions overseas, could China step in?

After Trump cut funding for energy transitions overseas, could China step in?  Dialogue Earth

Politics

1 week ago How is China ramping up controls on critical mineral exports amid row with US?

Parts of China that are rich in critical minerals are stepping up enforcement of tighter export controls as the country doubles down on its dominance of world supplies in the face of increasing pressure from the United States. China, the world’s biggest producer of critical minerals, supplies 92 per cent of the refined rare earth elements that are essential in the production of consumer electronics, electric vehicles and hi-tech defence systems. Its export controls mean companies must obtain...

Politics

1 week ago US steps up contest with China in Africa by counting ambassadors’ business deals

The US State Department has introduced performance metrics for American ambassadors in Africa to evaluate them based on the number of business deals they make as part of the US government’s new “trade, not aid” approach. Within its first 100 days, President Donald Trump’s second administration secured 33 deals worth US$6 billion across the continent, announced Troy Fitrell, senior US official for the Bureau of African Affairs, at the launch of the bureau in mid-May. The US’ new commercial...

Politics

1 week ago Military mishap risks rise with PLA’s ‘grey zone operations’: Taiwan ex

The risks of a cross-strait military accident are on the rise as Beijing steps up pressure on Taiwan, a former Taiwanese defence official has warned, citing the lack of direct communication channels between the two sides. Andrew Yang Nien-dzu, who served as Taiwan’s deputy defence minister for four years and briefly held the role of minister, spoke to the South China Morning Post on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier security conference. Yang raised concerns over the...

Events

1 week ago UAE deposits instruments of accession to Beijing Convention and 2010 Protocol to strengthen global aviation security

UAE deposits instruments of accession to Beijing Convention and 2010 Protocol to strengthen global aviation security  وكالة أنباء الإمارات

Events

2 w. ago China Steps Up Cloud Seeding to Boost Rain in Dry Wheat Regions

China Steps Up Cloud Seeding to Boost Rain in Dry Wheat Regions  Bloomberg.com

Politics

2 w. ago Why remaining tariffs could clip Chinese airlines’ wings, and Boeing’s

Despite recent tariff cuts, remaining duties on imports from the US could force Chinese buyers of Boeing jets to pay millions of US dollars more than before and, along with worldwide delivery delays, contribute to a sharp slowdown in the growth of China’s aviation capacity, analysts said. Held back by tariffs and global supply chain constraints, China’s civil aviation passenger capacity is likely to grow by an average of 3.1 per cent a year until 2028, analysts at China International Capital...

Politics

2 w. ago 3rd Exhibition of Technology and Education in Civil Aviation kicked off in Beijing

3rd Exhibition of Technology and Education in Civil Aviation kicked off in Beijing  Global Times

Politics