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☆ After life-changing losses, these millennials are now trying to help others preserve their loved ones' legacy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Nicholas Worley, founder of Inalife, with his three toddler sons at home in Hong Kong. Nicholas Worley | InalifeIt wasn't until he became a father that Nicholas Worley rekindled the idea of preserving memories of his loved ones and their legacies. The death of family members, a failed business partnership and the Covid-19 pandemic played a part in helping three millennials plunge into new businesses that help others memorialize relationships and preserve their family legacy. The company provides digital storage for photographs, video and audio clips of family members so the family can view them now or in the future. Nicholas Worley Founder of InalifeIn July last year, he finally launched Inalife, hoping to break even in about two years.

Persons: Nicholas Worley, Worley, granddad, Inalife Worley, he's, Haresh Tilani, Terence Chia, Tilani, Chia, It's Organizations: Inalife, Subscribers, University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School Locations: Hong Kong

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Risk aversion in vogue
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index edged up 0.1%., while mainland China markets remain shut for a public holiday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down Thursday 1.35% at 38,596.98 in its biggest loss since March 2023 and fourth-straight daily loss. The profit guidance for 6.6 trillion Korean won ($4.89 billion) exceeded even LSEG's estimate of 5.24 trillion won.

Persons: Korea's Kospi, Brent, nonfarm payrolls, Dow, Janet Yellen, Yellen, hasn't Organizations: CNBC, Japan, Federal Reserve, Nikkei, West Texas, Dow Jones, U.S . Federal, Treasury, American, of Commerce, Chips, Samsung Electronics, Tech, Apple Locations: Asia, China, China U.S, Guangzhou, California

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Safe havens in vogue
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down Thursday 1.35% at 38,596.98 in its biggest loss since March 2023 and fourth-straight daily loss. Trusting ZuckerbergMeta shares soared to an intraday record on Thursday, outperforming the broader market after Jefferies and RBC Capital analysts raised their price targets. [PRO] Pre-earnings upgradesAnalysts have become more bullish on six stocks from around the world this week, raising their price targets ahead of the quarterly earnings release season.

Persons: Brent, nonfarm payrolls, Dow, Zuckerberg, Meta, Jefferies Organizations: CNBC, Federal Reserve, West Texas, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, U.S . Federal, Ford, Jefferies, RBC Capital

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Disney wins proxy showdown
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Nick Caldwell, now chief product officer at Peloton, is claiming Musk and X "cheated" him and other executives out of a combined $200,000,000 in severance benefits. This lawsuit is similar to the one filed by other Twitter executives, including ex-CEO Parag Agrawal, claiming they were owed $128 million in unpaid severance. [PRO] Autos winnersA Tesla short-seller named two auto stocks that he believes have the potential to deliver 100% upside for investors.

Persons: Robert Iger, Mickey Mouse, Jerome Powell, Steve Cohen, David Einhorn, Elon Musk, Nick Caldwell, Parag Agrawal, Tesla Organizations: Walt Disney Company, New, Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, CNBC, Dow Jones, Intel, Nasdaq, Fed, U.S, Elon, Twitter Locations: Children's Hospital Los, Los Angeles , California

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Disney wins proxy fight
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Korea leads AsiaKorea led stock market gains in Asia-Pacific on Thursday, with markets in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan shut for a public holiday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is also due to visit China again later this year. [PRO] Autos winnersA Tesla short-seller named two auto stocks that he believes have the potential to deliver 100% upside for investors.

Persons: Robert Iger, Mickey Mouse, Korea's, Jerome Powell, Steve Cohen, David Einhorn, Henry V, Janet Yellen, Antony Blinken, Tesla Organizations: Walt Disney Company, New, Children's Hospital, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, CNBC, Nikkei, Dow Jones, Intel, Nasdaq, Fed, Treasury Locations: Children's Hospital Los, Los Angeles , California, Korea, Asia Korea, Asia, Pacific, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, U.S, Yellen, China U.S

☆ CNBC Daily Open: A projection is not a promise
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Spencer Platt | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesThis report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. What you need to know todayThe bottom lineU.S. Federal Reserve officials are dampening rate cut expectations again, and again. In comments echoing those of the Federal Open Market Committee's two weeks ago, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly said Tuesday she expects cuts this year — but wants to see more convincing evidence that inflation has been subdued. "Three rate cuts is a projection, and a projection is not a promise," Daly said.

Persons: Spencer Platt, Mary Daly, Daly, Loretta Mester, Vishnu Varathan, —, Jeff Cox Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, Getty, CNBC, Federal Reserve, Federal, San Francisco Fed, Cleveland Federal, Malaysian, U.S Locations: New York City, U.S, Asia, Japan

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Fights in the House of Mouse
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Actors dressed as Walt Disney characters Mickey Mouse (left) and Minnie Mouse (right) perform during a press preview for the "Minnie Besties Bash!" This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our new, international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Rumbling signs of lifeThe IPO market in the U.S. is showing signs of revival after more than two years. CNBC previously reported that United would pause pilot hiring this spring for the same reason.

Persons: Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Minnie Besties, Jerome Powell's, Slack, Matt Orton Organizations: Tokyo Disneyland, CNBC, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, European Commission, United Airlines, Boeing Locations: Tokyo, Urayasu, Japan, U.S

☆ Singapore convicts first suspect in record money laundering case
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A Porsche 911 Targa vehicle seized by police at a residence of Su Jiafeng, one of the suspects in the S$2.8 billion money-laundering case, in Singapore, on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. Singapore on Tuesday sentenced the first person to plead guilty in the Southeast Asia island-state's biggest money laundering scandal to a 13-month imprisonment. Public prosecutors went ahead with two counts of money laundering after an agreement to consider the remaining nine charges for sentencing. The Singapore police said it has seized around 6 million Singapore dollars ($4.44 million) worth of assets from Su. The value of all assets seized to date now exceeds more than 3 billion Singapore dollars, according to court documents.

Persons: Su Jiafeng, Su Wenqiang, Mercedes, Dior, Su Organizations: Cambodian, Public, Singapore, CNBC, United Overseas Bank Locations: Singapore, Southeast Asia, Philippines

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Fights in Mickey's club house
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Actors dressed as Walt Disney characters Mickey Mouse (left) and Minnie Mouse (right) perform during a press preview for the "Minnie Besties Bash!" This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our new, international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. U.S. stocks got off to a tentative start for the second quarter as Treasury yields rose on Monday. [PRO] Top 2Q betsBank of America names its top picks for the second quarter, including one Big Tech company.

Persons: Walt Disney, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Minnie Besties, Korea's, Jerome Powell's Organizations: Tokyo Disneyland, CNBC, Asia Hong, Japan's Nikkei, CSI, U.S, Rapidus Corporation, of America, Big Tech Locations: Tokyo, Urayasu, Japan, Asia Hong Kong, Asia, Pacific, U.S, Beijing, China, Korea, Taiwan, Hokkaido

☆ Caixin survey shows China's March factory activity at its most robust in 13 months
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

China's factory activity in March expanded by its strongest pace in more than a year, a private survey showed on Monday, in signs of stabilizing growth in the world's second-largest economy. The Caixin/S&P Global China manufacturing purchasing managers' index was 51.1 in March — its strongest since February 2023 — after coming in at 50.9 in February. Economists had expected the reading to hit 51, according to a Reuters poll. This reading corroborates another official survey of manufacturing activity that surpassed market expectations and came at its strongest in 11 months. The official survey for non-manufacturing activity in China recorded its most robust reading since June, adding to encouraging recent export and retail sales data.

Persons: Wang Zhe Organizations: P Global, Caixin Insight, China's National Bureau of Statistics Locations: P Global China, China

☆ Japan bucks private equity slowdown in Asia-Pacific with deal value soaring 183% last year
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

An editorial picture of the Japan flag set against an economic trend graph and images associated with the stock market, finance and digital technology. Japan though, was an outlier, with deal value jumping 183% in 2023 from a year earlier, making it the largest private equity market in Asia Pacific for the first time, according to Bain's 2024 Asia-Pacific Private Equity Report released Monday. Overall, deal value in the Asia-Pacific region declined more than 23% to $147 billion from a year earlier. Greater China accounted for 89% of the IPO exit value in Asia Pacific, with a vast majority listing in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Excluding Greater China IPOs, the total Asia-Pacific exit value was $65 billion.

Persons: Bain Organizations: Asia Pacific, Bain & Company, Pacific, Equity, Japan Inc, China IPOs Locations: Japan, Asia, Asia Pacific, Pacific, Greater China, Shanghai, Shenzhen, China

☆ 'Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong': Beijing hits back at U.S. for 'slandering' city's new security law
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-21 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The flags of China and Hong Kong displayed in rows. China's embassy hit back against U.S. criticism of Hong Kong's new national security law on Thursday, saying the U.S. should "respect China's sovereignty." Hong Kong lawmakers passed a new national security law on Tuesday which critics say grants the government more power to quash dissent. "Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong. Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs, which no country is in the position to point fingers at or interfere in," a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Persons: Hong, Hong Kong's, Vedant Patel, John Lee, Wang Yi, — CNBC's Evelyn Cheng, Clement Tan Organizations: U.S . State Department, Kong's Legislative, China's, Beijing, China - Locations: China, Hong Kong, U.S, China's, Hong Kong . Hong Kong, Kong's, China - U.S

☆ 'Mr Yen' says Japan could intervene if yen falls to 155
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-20 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Japanese authorities may intervene if the yen sinks to 155 to 160 against the dollar, according to a former top foreign exchange official Eisuke Sakakibara. The Bank of Japan's decision on Tuesday to exit the world's last remaining negative rates regime sparked a sell-off in the Japanese currency as Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated monetary conditions will stay loose for the time being — given the fragile recovery in the Japanese economy. He also didn't commit to a terminal rate level. On Wednesday, ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate decision later in the day, the yen touched its weakest in four months against the dollar, falling to around 151 and tumbling against the euro to its lowest since 2008.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda Organizations: U.S Locations: U.S . Federal

☆ Bank of Japan hikes rates for the first time in 17 years in a historic shift, abolishes yield curve control
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Japan's central bank raised interest rates on Tuesday for the first time since 2007, ending the world's last negative rates regime on early signs of robust wage gains this year. The BOJ raised its short-term interest rates to around 0% to 0.1% from -0.1%, according to its statement at the end of its two-day March policy meeting. Japan's negative rates regime had been in place since 2016. The BOJ also announced the abolition of its radical yield curve control policy for 10-year Japanese government bonds, which the central bank has employed to target longer-term interest rates by buying and selling bonds as necessary. The Bank of Japan expects higher salaries to lead to a virtuous spiral with domestic demand fueling inflation.

Persons: BOJ, Kazuo Ueda Organizations: Japan Inc, Bank of Japan Locations: Japan, Japan's

The BOJ will now look to utilize its short-term interest rate as its primary policy tool. It will employ an interest rate of 0.1% to current account balances held by financial institutions at the central bank from March 21, while encouraging the uncollateralized overnight call rate (another interest rate used as a policy lever by the bank) to remain at around 0 to 0.1% — effectively raising interest rates from -0.1% previously. It would resort to "nimble responses" in the form of increased Japan government bond purchases and fixed-rate purchases of JGBs, among other things, if there is a rapid rise in long-term interest rates. Japanese investors have looked elsewhere for better returns given years of artificially depressed interest rates in their home market. The Fed is due to announce its own interest rate decision on Wednesday.

Persons: Japan Alexander Spatari, Kazuo Ueda, Rob Carnell, BOJ, Ueda, Michael Brown, —, JGBs, Vishnu Varathan, Hayden Briscoe, Briscoe Organizations: Japan's, Japan Inc, Asia, ING, CNBC, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group, Bank of America, Barclays, U.S . Federal, UBS Asset Management Locations: Dotonbori, Japan, Japan's, U.S, Mizuho's, Asia

☆ Goldman Sachs now expects the Bank of Japan to hike rates Tuesday
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Goldman Sachs now expects the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates for the first time in 17 years at its March meeting this week, bringing forward its previous forecast for an April decision. Ota said he expects the BOJ to abolish its yield curve control policy, which the central bank employs to target longer-term interest rates, by buying and selling bonds as necessary. Still, he expects the central bank will "not explicitly commit" to the size of its Japanese government bond purchases or the cessation of its ETF purchases. While the central bank has effectively loosened its yield curve control policy over longer term interest rates over the past 16 months, it has kept interest rates at -0.1% and still maintains an upper limit for 10-year Japanese government bond yield at 1% as a reference. While BOJ Governor Kazuo Ueda meets with his other eight board members eight times a year, the central bank updates its economic outlook only four times: in January, April, July and October.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Tomohiro Ota, Ota, Kazuo Ueda Organizations: Bank of Japan Locations: Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan

(Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)At Japan's highly anticipated "shunto" spring wage negotiations this year, the world's largest automaker Toyota agreed to the biggest annual pay increase for workers in 25 years. Market speculation reached fever pitch this week as various corporate giants announced robust negotiated salary increments that in some instances exceeded what unions petitioned for. Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda has repeatedly said the outcome of this year's wage negotiations will influence the central bank's decision on when to exit the world's last negative interest rate policy. Japan's largest trade union grouping, known as Rengo, will announce the first collation of ongoing wage negotiations on Friday. Here's what you need to know about this year's spring wage talks, which takes place annually in March.

Persons: Kazuhiro NOGI, KAZUHIRO NOGI, Kazuo Ueda Organizations: Bank of Japan, The Bank of Japan, Getty, Toyota Locations: Tokyo, AFP

☆ Bank of Japan may exit its negative rate policy next week. Here's what you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Speculation is swirling that the Bank of Japan may move to exit the world's last negative rate policy as early as next week, when policymakers gather for their March meeting. "We continue to expect that the BOJ will terminate NIRP in April," Goldman Sachs economists led by Tomohiro Ota wrote in a Tuesday note, referring to the negative interest rate policy. "While a March rate hike cannot be ruled out, we believe that the BOJ's communications at this juncture are not clear enough to justify assuming the March hike as the base case scenario." "The Bank of Japan has no right to keep monetary policy where [they are now]. The economy is not in any shape or form to have that ultra-loose monetary policy and quantitative easing, which we have been calling a major policy error," Amir Anvarzadeh, a market strategist at Asymmetric Advisors, told CNBC Tuesday.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Tomohiro Ota, Kazuo Ueda, Amir Anvarzadeh Organizations: Bank of Japan, Asymmetric Advisors, CNBC Locations: NIRP, Japan

☆ Japan averts technical recession as revised fourth-quarter data shows economy grew 0.4%
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Japan averted a technical recession as revised official data on Monday showed the economy returned to growth in the the October-December period last year. Japan's gross domestic product expanded 0.4% in the fourth quarter compared with a year earlier. Provisional data last month had showed GDP contracting 0.4%. The Japanese economy also expanded 0.1% in the fourth quarter from the previous three months, compared with the provisional data that showed a 0.1% contraction. The economy had shrunk 0.8% in the third quarter from the previous three months.

Persons: Kazuo Ueda Organizations: Provisional, Bank of Japan, Ministry of Finance, Reuters, Bank of Locations: Japan, Bank of Japan

☆ India inks 'watershed' $100 billion free trade deal with four non-EU nations
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

India flag, stock market, exchange economy and Trade, oil production, container ship in export and import business and logistics. India will lift most tariffs on four nations in Europe in a "watershed" deal that is expected to yield $100 billion worth of investment over 15 years and one billion jobs for the world's fifth-largest economy. The trade deal with European Free Trade Association nations, not part of the EU, was inked ahead of the country's general elections due in the next few months that may give Prime Minister Narendra Modi a third-straight term in office. This "marks a new turn and watershed moment in the bilateral relationship between India and [European Free Trade Association] countries of Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein," India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in comments shared on X, formerly Twitter. India expects this free trade agreement to stimulate its key exports in IT services, business services, audio-visual services among others, said Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Piyush Goyal Organizations: European Free Trade Association, Free Trade Association, Twitter, Commerce, Industry Locations: India, Europe, Great Britain, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in 2019. Mark Kauzlarich | ReutersBEIJING — China's top diplomat slammed the U.S. for worsening bilateral tensions, while reiterating Beijing's support for peaceful resolutions to the Israel-Palestine and Russia-Ukraine conflicts. Wang said the U.S. has been devising "new ways to suppress China," saying U.S. accusations against China had reached an "unbelievable degree." While he said he sees a way forward for both countries, Wang said communication between both countries may only continue by respecting and recognizing differences. After the unexplained dismissal of Qin Gang as foreign minister in July last year, Wang reassumed the role.

Persons: Wang Yi, Mark Kauzlarich, Joe Biden's, Biden, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Wang, Qin, Wang reassumed, hasn't, Xi's, Lai Ching Organizations: Reuters, Reuters BEIJING —, China -, CNBC, Communist Party of, Qin Gang, United Nations, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Reuters BEIJING, Israel, Palestine, Russia, Ukraine, China, China - U.S, San Francisco, South China, U.S, Gaza, Beijing, Taiwan, South

(Photo by WANG Zhao / AFP) (Photo by WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images)BEIJING — China's top securities regulator vowed to "strictly" crack down on market manipulators, while stating that protecting small investors was a "core task." Wu outlined measures deemed necessary to improve the quality of listed companies and increase returns on investment. They include: encouraging listed companies to improve stability, timeliness and predictability of dividend payouts, stricter delisting rules, and expanding inspections of listed companies. "China's market is the second largest in the world, but it's not as strong," Wu said, adding the recent market volatility exposed deep-seated issues. At the same press conference, Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People's Bank of China, also pledged support for overseas listings for high-quality Chinese companies.

Persons: Wu Qing, WANG Zhao, WANG ZHAO, Wu, it's, Pan Gongsheng Organizations: China Securities Regulatory Commission, National People's Congress, Getty Images, People's Bank of Locations: China, Beijing, AFP, BEIJING, People's Bank of China

☆ China may have to resort to a tried-and-tested tactic to power its 'new leap forward'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Liu Liqun | Corbis Documentary | Getty ImagesChina may want a "new leap forward" in "productive forces" — but President Xi Jinping may need to resort to an old tactic to hit the country's ambitious growth target this year, one economist warns. While scant on specifics, the work report appears to suggest Beijing is refraining from the aggressive, bazooka-like stimulus that some markets observers were expecting. China has historically resorted to infrastructure building as a short-term fix to boost growth, particularly after the 2008-09 financial crisis. Goldman Sachs economists said that this pledge is the "most important positive surprise" from this year's government work report. Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivers a speech during the opening of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress at The Great Hall of People on March 5, 2024 in Beijing, China.

Persons: Liu Liqun, Xi Jinping, Wang Dan, Wang, Erica Tan, Goldman Sachs, Li Qiang, Li, Lintao Zhang Organizations: Bund, Getty, Hang Seng Bank, CNBC, China Investment Corporation, Maybank, Seng Bank, National People's Congress, of People Locations: China, Beijing, overcapacity, Covid, Gorges

China's central bank governor said there was room to further cut banks' reserve requirements, and pledged to utilize monetary policy to prop up consumer prices. BEIJING — China's central bank governor said there was room to further cut banks' reserve requirements, and pledged to utilize monetary policy to "mildly" prop up consumer prices. This is part of Beijing's broader economic policy "adjustments" so the economy can hit its growth target of around 5% for the year, while adhering to a 3% fiscal deficit. For investors in the near term, the primary concern remains how much China's policymakers are focused on ensuring growth. "If China's economy encounters unexpected shocks in the future, or the international environment undergoes unexpected changes, we still have tools in reserve in our policy toolbox," he said.

Persons: Gongsheng, Huang Shouhong Organizations: People's Bank of, State, CNBC Locations: BEIJING, People's Bank of China, China

☆ China says military spending growth in 2024 to stay the same as last year at 7.2%
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Clement Tan | In Clemtan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

This year's military budget announcement comes against the backdrop of several generals from the People's Liberation Army, including the country's previous Defense Minister Li Shangfu, losing their positions amid President Xi Jinping's broad anti-corruption probe in the past year. China's 2024 military budget expansion follows a 7.2% increase last year, a 7.1% spike in 2022, 6.8% increase in 2021, 6.6% climb in 2020 and 7.5% growth in 2019, according to official data. China's official military budget is second only to the United States in the world, though some unofficial estimates suggest the scale of Beijing's military spending may be larger than officially claimed. China maintains its claims over self-governed Taiwan and President Xi Jinping regards reunification as a "historical inevitability." Beijing has also taken offence at joint exercises and patrols that U.S. and other Western naval powers have conducted with various Asian nations in international waters that Beijing claims as its own.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Xi, Xi Jinping, — Organizations: Reuters, People's Liberation Army Locations: China, Beijing, United States, Taiwan, The Hague, South China, India, South

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