2 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

2 h. ago Cheerleaders to critics: German machinery makers call for EU action on China

Germany’s iconic machine makers used to be among the loudest cheerleaders for ever-closer economic ties between China and Europe. Now, as exports dwindle and facing “increasingly strong [Chinese] competitors” beefed up by “unfair state subsidies”, the industry is demanding that Brussels put in place trade barriers to protect it. A new position paper published on Thursday by the Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), representing medium-sized manufacturers that help constitute...

Politics

2 h. ago Chinese worker requesting sick leave criticised for being weak and punished

A human resources supervisor in southeastern China triggered widespread public outrage and initiated a government investigation after verbally insulting an employee who requested sick leave for a fever, labelling her “too weak” and suggesting she seek psychiatric help. The controversy gained public attention on June 5, when a female employee – whose identity remains undisclosed – shared on social media that she had been verbally abused by her employer after asking for sick leave due to a...

Politics

4 h. ago China delays approval of $35bn US chip merger amid Donald Trump’s trade war

China delays approval of $35bn US chip merger amid Donald Trump’s trade war  Financial Times

Politics

7 h. ago Chinese solar firms bank on overseas expansion to survive amid US tariffs

Chinese solar and energy-storage companies will continue to press ahead with their overseas expansion with or without a long-term agreement on trade tariffs, as production abroad holds the key to their long-term survival, according to executives at China’s largest solar industry exhibition. Although the US and China reached a 90-day truce in their ongoing tariff war in May, solar panel exports from China and Southeast Asia to the US are still subject to tariffs of as much as 3,521 per cent, with...

Economics

8 h. ago Japan warns of collision risks after Chinese fighter jet manoeuvres

Japan has expressed serious concerns to Beijing through diplomatic and defence channels after a Chinese fighter jet from the aircraft carrier Shandong made “abnormal approaches” to a Japanese patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean. In a statement, Tokyo’s defence ministry said a J-15 fighter shadowed its P-3C patrol aircraft operating over the Pacific for about 40 minutes from 10.30am on Saturday and again for around 80 minutes from 2pm on Sunday. The ministry said the Chinese fighter approached...

Events

8 h. ago China’s Economy Withstood Trade Chaos But Momentum Likely Slowed

China’s Economy Withstood Trade Chaos But Momentum Likely Slowed  Bloomberg

Events

10 h. ago Trump seems to reverse course on Chinese students in US, saying he supports them

US President Donald Trump reiterated his support for Chinese students in America on Thursday and pledged to help them remain in the country after graduation, distancing himself from initiatives that his administration has announced to limit or block international students because of national security concerns. “I’ve always been strongly in favour of it. I think it’s a great thing,” Trump said on Thursday, referring to Chinese nationals seeking to study in the US. “It’s also good for our schools....

Politics

10 h. ago Trump cannot hope to solve a China ‘problem’ he has misdiagnosed

Amid a US-China trade truce, negotiators in London reached a “framework” agreement to activate the Geneva deal, raising hopes for an immediate alleviation of the trade conflict, including potentially a US commitment to revoke some of its tech embargoes in return for China’s relaxation of rare earth export restrictions. The full details of the London agreement are expected to be available after both US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping have approved it. The two-day London...

Politics

10 h. ago Trump’s fundamental mistake is in seeing China as America’s problem

Amid a US-China trade truce, negotiators in London reached a “framework” agreement to activate the Geneva deal, raising hopes for an immediate alleviation of the trade conflict, including potentially a US commitment to revoke some of its tech embargoes in return for China’s relaxation of rare earth export restrictions. The full details of the London agreement are expected to be available after both US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping have approved it. The two-day London...

Politics

11 h. ago Trump’s China Trade Framework Mostly a Reset to Earlier Terms

Trump’s China Trade Framework Mostly a Reset to Earlier Terms  Bloomberg

Politics

11 h. ago China ‘always’ raises this issue in deals with the US, trade rep says

China ‘always’ raises this issue in deals with the US, trade rep says  Fox News

Politics

12 h. ago Trump's China trade 'deal' returns the U.S. right back to where it started

Trump's China trade 'deal' returns the U.S. right back to where it started  MSNBC News

Politics

12 h. ago Toyota is teaming up with China’s biggest tech giants to gain an edge in EVs

Toyota is teaming up with China’s biggest tech giants to gain an edge in EVs  Electrek

Politics

13 h. ago US, China trade truce: Beijing affirms pact, says both must abide by deal

US, China trade truce: Beijing affirms pact, says both must abide by deal  The Economic Times

Economics

16 h. ago Trump Says Trade Deal With China is ‘Done,’ Imposes 55% Tariff

Trump Says Trade Deal With China is ‘Done,’ Imposes 55% Tariff  TechRepublic

Politics

17 h. ago China says it will remove all tariffs on African exports to boost trade

China says it will remove all tariffs on African exports to boost trade  Reuters

Politics

17 h. ago China strikes cautious tone after Trump claims trade deal is 'done'

China strikes cautious tone after Trump claims trade deal is 'done'  Sky News

Politics

18 h. ago China eyes stronger cooperation with ECB amid global trade tensions

China eyes stronger cooperation with ECB amid global trade tensions  Reuters

Events

19 h. ago Hongkongers may have to pay higher tolls at Aberdeen Tunnel, Shing Mun Tunnels

Hongkongers may have to pay more to use the Aberdeen Tunnel and the Shing Mun Tunnels under a government proposal to raise tolls from HK$5 (64 US cents) to HK$8 to help recoup some of their hefty annual losses, the Post has learned. The tunnels’ current flat fee of HK$5 for all vehicles has remained unchanged for 34 years. A source said on Thursday that authorities were planning to raise the toll to HK$8. The Shing Mun Tunnels recorded a deficit of HK$52 million in the 2023-24 financial year,...

Politics