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Opinion Guest Essay Why the Pandemic Probably Started in a Lab, in 5 Key Points Illustration by Mike McQuade. Here’s what we now know:1 The SARS-like virus that caused the pandemic emerged in Wuhan, the city where the world’s foremost research lab for SARS-like viruses is located. Wuhan China Taiwan Laos South China Sea Thailand The pandemic started roughly 1,000 miles away, in Wuhan, home to the world’s foremost SARS-like virus research lab. Wuhan China East China Sea india Taiwan Myanmar Laos South China Sea philippines Thailand The pandemic started roughly 1,000 miles away, in Wuhan, home to the world’s foremost SARS-like virus research lab. In the United States, virologists generally use stricter Biosafety Level 3 protocols when working with SARS-like viruses.

Persons: Mike McQuade, Anthony Fauci, —, Shi Zhengli, Shi’s, Sarah Temmam et, Shi, coronavirus, EcoHealth, Peter Daszak, Biden, Daszak, Baric, Jesse Bloom, Fauci Organizations: Getty Images, National Institute of Allergy, Wuhan Institute of Virology, China East China, U.S, New York, Facebook Locations: United States, Wuhan, China, Yunnan, Southeast Asia, Laos, Yunnan province Taiwan Laos, Laos South China, Thailand, China East China, Taiwan Myanmar Laos South China, Laos philippines Thailand, Taiwan Laos South China, China East, philippines Thailand, Wuhan China Taiwan Laos South China, Wuhan China East China, China Wuhan East China, Covid, MERS

☆ Beijing Claims U.K. Recruited Chinese State Officials as Spies
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Daisuke Wakabayashi | Claire Fu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

China’s top security ministry accused Britain’s MI6 intelligence agency on Monday of persuading a married couple working for unnamed central Chinese government bodies to become spies for the British government, the latest in a volley of continuing espionage accusations between the two countries. The Chinese ministry said MI6 trained Mr. Wang to become a spy and ordered him to return to China to gather intelligence. It said that his wife, who has the surname Zhou, also agreed to spy for Britain. China said the matter was under further investigation, but it is not clear whether the couple are being detained by the Chinese authorities. This is the latest in a series of back-and-forth espionage accusations between Beijing and London, a source of escalating tension between the two countries.

Persons: Wang, Zhou Organizations: China’s Ministry of State Security Locations: British, Britain, China, Beijing, London

☆ American shoppers are tired. These companies are benefiting
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Just ask Ross Stores: America’s largest off-price retailer reported earnings and revenue that beat analysts’ forecasts last week. The US Labor Department releases April figures on job openings, quits, hires and layoffs. The US Commerce Department releases April figures on new orders for manufactured goods. The US Commerce Department releases April data on exports and imports. Friday: The US Labor Department releases May data gauging the state of the job market, including monthly payroll growth, wage gains and the unemployment rate.

Persons: Ross, “, ” Adam Orvos, ” TJX, TJ Maxx, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, ” Clayton Allison, Allison, ” Allison, Brown Forman, Campbell Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, Washington CNN, Companies, Ross Stores, Marshalls, Burberry, Prime Capital Investment Advisors, CNN, Walmart, P Global, Institute for Supply Management, CrowdStrike, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Body, US Labor Department, US Commerce Department, Bank of Canada, Autodesk, Smucker, DocuSign, Vail Resorts, European Central Bank Locations: Washington, North America, Europe, Australia, Americas, Zumiez

☆ China, Xi Jinping's Plan for AI Will Wreak Havoc on the World Economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Linette Lopez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +18 min

According to the CCP's plan, by 2020, China was supposed to have "achieved iconic advances in AI models and methods, core devices, high-end equipment, and foundational software." Censorship requirements may slow China's AI development and limit the commercialization of domestic models, but they will not stop Beijing from benefiting from AI where it sees fit. We're not seeing a huge gap between the models Chinese companies have been able to roll out. The current price war is a race to the bottom, similar to what we've seen in the Chinese technology space before. A race to the bottom may simply beggar China's AI ecosystem.

Persons: Xi Jinping, China doesn't, there's, Beijing's, Reva Goujon, We're, It's, ChatGPT, Xie Huanchi, couldn't, you'll, —, Kenneth DeWoskin, it's, Matt Sheehan, they're, chatbot, Sheehan, Ernie Bot, There's, Alibaba, ByteDance's, Paul Triolo, Albright, we've, haven't, DeWoskin, Sam Altman, Elon Musk Organizations: Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Intelligence, Cyberspace Administration, Getty, Freedom, University of Michigan, Deloitte, CAC, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Baidu, Bloomberg, Companies, Brookings Institution, Beijing, The Commerce Department Locations: China, Beijing, China's, Hong Kong, Xinhua, , Washington, Brussels, Berlin, Taiwan, US, Xinjiang

☆ A Chinese spacecraft lands on moon’s far side to collect rocks in growing space rivalry with U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A Chinese spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon Sunday to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side. The landing module touched down at 6:23 a.m. Beijing time in a huge crater known as the South Pole-Aitken Basin, the China National Space Administration said. The mission is the sixth in the Chang'e moon exploration program, which is named after a Chinese moon goddess. It is the second designed to bring back samples, following the Chang'e 5, which did so from the near side in 2020. The moon program is part of a growing rivalry with the U.S. — still the leader in space exploration — and others, including Japan and India.

Persons: — Organizations: China National Space Administration, U.S, NASA Locations: Beijing, Aitken, China, Japan, India, United States, America

☆ China’s growing e-commerce market is creating a new set of winners
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

"Improving domestic ecommerce market share should lead to better monetization eventually," Yao said. The investment firm expects Douyin to match PDD's market share of 21% next year, and surpass it by reaching 22% in 2026. Tencent's WeChat Video Account platform is expected to retain about 2% to 3% of GMV market share through 2026, the Goldman analysis said. The video streaming platform last month reported e-commerce GMV grew by 28.2% year-on-year in the first quarter to 288.1 billion yuan ($40,55 billion). The firm forecasts Kuaishou's e-commerce GMV revenue will grow by 25% this year, although livestreaming revenue — which has accounted for about a third of total revenue — is expected to drop due to a high base.

Persons: James Yang, Bain, Joe Tsai, Emily Tan, Yang, Alibaba, Goldman Sachs, Ronald Keung, David Ma, China's, Morgan Stanley, Eddy Wang, Kenneth Fong, JD, David Beckham, Alex Yao, monetization, Yao, Tmall's GMV, Douyin, Alibaba's, Tencent's, Goldman, Sophie Huang, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Bain and Company, PDD Holdings, Goldman, UBS, JPMorgan China, ByteDance, Hong Locations: China, Hong Kong, Asia, U.S, Alibaba, 2Q24, 2Q24E

☆ A bizarre comment stirred speculation India may try to match China's carrier fleet
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

During an interview with an Indian newspaper regarding plans to construct a third aircraft carrier, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said India would build yet more. "He was only trying to dispel suggestions that the government is resistant to a proposal for a third aircraft carrier." They would also be less expensive, with the third Indian carrier estimated at around $5 billion, compared to $13 billion for a Ford-class carrier. On the other hand, there is a reason why America builds enormously expensive aircraft carriers. Despite its drawbacks, the aircraft carrier's aura and impact in peacetime operations are unmatched."

Persons: —, that's, it's, Rajnath Singh, Abhijit Singh, India's, Imtiyaz Shaikh, Queen Elizabeth, Singh, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Indian Navy, Business, Indian, Defense, Observer Research Foundation, Getty, India, Soviet, Nimitz, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: India, New Delhi, China, Djibouti, Ream, Cambodia, Gwadar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kyaukpyu, Myanmar, Fujian, Forbes

☆ US vs. Chinese aircraft carriers: How the world's top flattops stack up
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Benjamin Brimelow | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +16 min

Liaoning and ShandongAircraft carrier Liaoning set out for sea trials at Dalian shipyard with the help of tugboats. A J-15 fighter takes off from aircraft carrier Shandong during the combat readiness patrol and military exercises around Taiwan. Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford sails in the Adriatic Sea. China has no experience operating carrier catapults on its warships (though it did study carrier catapults when it purchased the decommissioned Australian carrier HMAS Melbourn from Canberra in 1985 under the guise of scrapping). AdvertisementChina's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, docks in Shanghai with a Chinese flag seen in the foreground.

Persons: —, Kuznetsov, Pu, Gerald R, Ford, George H.W, George H.W . Bush, Smith, Jackson Adkins, John F, Kennedy, Doris Miller, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Jacob Mattingly, Li Gang, Timothy Heath, Heath, China's, Benjamin Brimelow Organizations: Service, US Navy, Business, Shandong Aircraft, Getty, People's Liberation Army Navy, Getty Images Fujian, EA, Jiangnan Shipyard, Getty Images, PLAN, Xinhua News Agency, Nimitz, Ford, Aircraft, Greyhound, Navy, Carrier, USS Enterprise, Pacific Fleet, Shandong, RAND Corporation, US, Global Affairs, Fletcher School of Law, Diplomacy, Modern, Institute Locations: Shanghai, Fujian, China, China's, Liaoning, Dalian, Shandong, Soviet, Ukraine, Taiwan, Xinhua, Getty Images China, George H.W ., Adriatic, Melbourn, Canberra, Sanya, Hainan Province, West

☆ China’s Chang’e-6 probe successfully lands on far side of the moon
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s Chang’e-6 lunar lander successfully touched down on the far side of the moon Sunday morning Beijing time, in a significant step for the ambitious mission that could advance the country’s aspirations of putting astronauts on the moon. China’s most complex robotic lunar endeavor to date, the uncrewed mission aims to return samples to Earth from the moon’s far side for the first time. The landing marks the second time a mission has successfully reached the far side of the moon. The probe will spend two days on the far side of the moon, and 14 hours to collect moon soil samples, Xinhua reported. Last year, India landed a spacecraft on the moon for the first time, while Russia’s first lunar landing mission in decades ended in failure when its Luna 25 probe crashed into the moon’s surface.

Persons: China’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, China National Space Administration, Xinhua, Luna, NASA Locations: Hong Kong, Beijing, Aitken, China, United States, Mongolia, India, Japan, Texas

☆ Philippine president says killing of a Filipino in South China Sea clash would be ‘very close’ to act of war
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a speech during the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on May 31, 2024. The president said should such an incident happen by willful action, it would "increase the level of response [by the Philippines]," and come "very, very close to what we define as an act of war." In late March, the Philippines accused a China Coast Guard vessel of utilizing its water cannon on a Filipino ship travelling to the Second Thomas Shoal, injuring three Filipino sailors. Earlier that month, the China Coast Guard was accused of a water cannon attack that left four Filipino crew members injured by broken glass. Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea as its waters, despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that said that China's claims has no basis under international law.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Marcos, Thomas Shoal Organizations: Chinese Coast Guard, Guard, U.S ., Philippines Mutual Defense, China Coast Guard, China's coastguard Locations: Philippines, Singapore, South, U.S, Manila, South China, China

The meeting, between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and China’s Minister of National Defense Adm. Dong Jun, is the first face-to-face talks between the two defense chiefs and Austin’s first such discussions with a Chinese counterpart since late 2022. The meeting, on the sidelines of an annual defense conference in Singapore, takes place against a fraught regional backdrop. Austin is expected to raise concerns with Dong about China’s support for Russia, US officials said ahead of the meeting. Talks between Austin and Dong are not expected to see substantive progress towards resolving many entrenched issues between them. Several weeks later, US and Chinese top generals spoke in a video call, paving the way for this week’s in-person meeting between the defense chiefs.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Dong Jun, Austin’s, China’s, Austin, Dong, Nancy Pelosi, Li Shangfu, Li, won’t, Xi Jinping’s, Xi, Joe Biden Organizations: Singapore CNN, US, National Defense, South China Seas, Communist Party, Coast Guard, Defense, Washington, Russia, America, East, Communist, Central Military Commission Locations: Singapore, Asia, Pacific, Taiwan, Beijing, East, South, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, China, South China, American, Russia, Ukraine, Austin, Asia –, San Francisco

☆ The US accused China of offering Russia 'every support behind the scenes' for its war on Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewThe US has accused China of covertly supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and suggested that further US and NATO sanctions would be leveled against it. "What we've seen from China to Russia is not a one-off or a couple of rogue firms involved in supporting Russia," Campbell said, according to Reuters. "This is a sustained, comprehensive effort that is backed up by the leadership in China that is designed to give Russia every support behind the scenes." While many Western countries have put sanctions on Russia, China has remained a close economic ally, which has helped Russia finance its war. AdvertisementWhile Ukraine has support from many allies, including the US, UK, and Germany, their support has come in waves that have been disrupted by politics.

Persons: —, Kurt Campbell, Campbell, he'd, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping Organizations: Service, NATO, Business, Reuters, North Atlantic Council, US Locations: China, Ukraine, Belgium, Russia, Europe, Beijing, Iran, North Korea, Germany

☆ CNBC Daily Open: Dow drops, Nvidia couldn't save Nasdaq
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Abid Ali | ) 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. Treasury yields weigh on Wall StreetThe S&P 500 snapped its three-day winning streak as Treasury yields climbed. Despite Nvidia's continued rise since its earnings report last week, the tech giant couldn't prevent the Nasdaq Composite from falling. Peltz dumps Disney stakeActivist investor Nelson Peltz has sold his entire stake in Disney, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Persons: Nvidia's, Salesforce, Nelson Peltz, Peltz, Jay Rasulo, Bob Iger, Robert Isom, Vasu Raja, Raja, Korea's Kospi, Hang Seng, CNBC's Brian Evans Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, CNBC, Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Disney, American Airlines, Treasury, Nikkei, China's CSI, Dow Locations: New York City, Disney, Asia, Pacific, Japan, South Korea, China

☆ Gold subdued as U.S. dollar, yields firm; traders await inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An employee holds one kilogram gold bullion at the YLG Bullion International Co. headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023. Gold prices edged lower on Wednesday as the U.S. dollar and Treasury yields held firm ahead of key inflation data, which could offer more clarity on the Federal Reserve's interest rate trajectory. The dollar firmed 0.1%, making gold less attractive for other currency holders, while benchmark U.S. 10-year bond yields rose to multi-week peaks. "Investors will try to position themselves in gold because overall long-term fundamentals are looking pretty strong for gold at the moment." While gold is used as a hedge against inflation, rate hikes raise the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding bullion.

Persons: Soni Kumari, Tim Waterer Organizations: Co, U.S ., Treasury, ANZ, KCM, Traders, BHP, Monetary Fund Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, U.S, China

☆ AI-driven boost in PC and smartphone upgrades benefits these 5 stocks
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Morgan Chittum | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

At its annual Worldwide Developers Conference next month, it's believed that Apple will share more information about an expected AI-integrated iPhone. Jim Cramer has said that new AI capabilities on devices and for devices will usher in the " greatest refresh cycle in history ." Wireless stands to benefit from the expected increase in iPhone sales because Apple is one of Broadcom's largest customers. If there's a surge in PC sales, in particular, this could boost both Nvidia's Gaming and Professional Visualization segments. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

Persons: Satya Nadella, it's, Jim Cramer, It's, Tim Cook, Jim, iPhones, Jim Cramer's, Eugene Mymrin Organizations: Microsoft, Developers Conference, Apple, Broadcom, Nvidia, Computing, Windows, Revenue, Shareholders, China Academy of Information, Communications Technology, Broadcom Wireless, Broadcom's Semiconductor, Nvidia's Gaming, Club, HP Inc, Dell, CNBC Locations: China

☆ How the world got into $315 trillion of debt
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Nessa Anwar | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

In 2024, global gross domestic product — or GDP — amounted to $109.5 trillion dollars — slightly over a third of that global debt number. So, with global debt at a record high, should you be concerned? The first debt wave originated from Latin America in the 1980s, which led 16 countries in that region to restructure their borrowings. Global debt rose to 256 percent of GDP in 2020, a 28-percentage point increase - and the biggest one-year debt rise since the Second World War. The fourth wave has been the biggest, fastest and most wide-ranging rise in debt we've seen since World War II.

Persons: we've Organizations: World Bank, International Monetary Fund, United Locations: Prussian, Civil, United States, America, Asia, U.S, Europe, Zambia, Japan, China, India, Mexico

☆ Hess shareholders to vote on Chevron deal as dispute with Exxon over Guyana assets creates uncertainty
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Exxon filed for arbitration in March to defend the rights it claims under the joint operating agreement. Chevron and Hess have told investors that the pending deal would terminate if Exxon prevails in the dispute. Hess shareholders would bear the risk if the deal terminates because Chevron is not obligated to pay a termination fee, according to ISS. Exxon is seeking to confirm its rights under the joint operating agreement and find out the value placed on Hess' Guyana assets under the deal, Woods said. Chevron has repeatedly maintained that the Exxon's claims under the joint operating agreement do not apply to its acquisition of Hess.

Persons: Hess, Glass Lewis, Mike Wirth, Darren Woods, Woods, Wirth Organizations: Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Mobil, Exxon, China National Offshore Oil Corporation, Institutional, Services, Hess, ISS, CNBC, Federal Trade Commission Locations: York, Guyana, China

☆ Israeli Troops Keep Up Assault on Rafah After Condemnation of Deadly Strike
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Lauren Leatherby | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

The strike was conducted using two munitions with small warheads suited for this targeted strike. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military’s spokesman, insisted that their munitions alone, used in a strike in Rafah, could not have ignited the deadly fire that killed dozens of people at a camp. Those statements, however, did little to quell a chorus of voices demanding accountability and a halt to the fighting, which came amid reports of another deadly strike in nearby Al-Mawasi on Tuesday. Credit... Hatem Khaled/Reuters Still, he gave no indication that the Israeli military’s operation in Rafah would be interrupted. Israeli officials have argued that the ruling allowed it to continue fighting in Rafah because the military would not inflict such conditions.

Persons: Daniel Hagari, —, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, Mawasi, David Cameron, Admiral Hagari, Hatem Khaled, China “, ”, “, Mao Ning, ” —, Alexandra Stevenson Organizations: Credit, Israel Defense Forces Israel’s, ., Reuters, International Court, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Locations: Blaze, Rafah, Al, Israeli, Gaza, Rafah’s, China, Israel, “

☆ Japanese fighters tracked a Chinese supersonic drone spying on its bases
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A Chinese supersonic spy drone was intercepted by Japan over the East China Sea. The WL-10/WZ-10 drone is a reconnaissance/attack drone with electronic warfare capabilities. The drone's flight path indicates it was flying near a Japanese base key to US airpower in the region. AdvertisementJapan intercepted the Chinese supersonic WL-10/WZ-10 drone over the East China Sea for the first time on Monday. The drone, which appears to mainly serve as a reconnaissance and electronic warfare platform with some strike capabilities, was flying near Japanese air defenses and a key base hosting US airpower.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Japan, East China, Japan's, Staff Office, Business Locations: Japan, East, China

☆ America’s military has the edge in space. China and Russia are in a counterspace race to disrupt it
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

Direct-ascent anti-satellite missiles are fired from Earth to take out a satellite target in space. Since then, China is believed by analysts to have conducted multiple, nondestructive missile tests that could advance its ability to target satellites. Illustration by CNNThat’s because the US has done extensive non-offensive testing of technologies to approach and rendezvous with satellites, including close approaches of its own military satellites and several Russian and Chinese military satellites, SWF says. Chance Saltzman explained why the US felt it needed to be able to counter other countries’ space capabilities. Its tenets may be more relevant now than ever – but potentially under greater threat amid a new focus on military and space.

Persons: –, Russia’s, ”, Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, Zang Jihui, Chance Saltzman, ” Saltzman, Juliana Suess, Kamala Harris, Etienne Laurent, SpaceX’s, Tong Zhao, ” Zhao, doesn’t, RUSI’s Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Russian, CNN, Getty, Sputnik, Center for Security, Strategy, Technology, Observer Research, Foundation, China, US Space Force, Liberation Army, PLA, Space Force, Washington, CNN That’s, Space, China’s PLA, US Space Command, Vandenberg Space Force, Bloomberg, Union of Concerned, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Modern Defense Technology ”, United Nations Security, US Locations: Hong Kong, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, Europe, United States, China, Moscow, North Korea, Iran, Beijing, AFP, Soviet, Soviet Union, America, New Delhi, India, CNN China, Washington, Japan, Guam, France, Australia, Israel, Gaza, London, California, Honolulu, Hawaii, powerlines

☆ US lawmakers vow to bolster Taiwan’s defense with bipartisan visit days after China’s ‘punishment’ military drills
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —US lawmakers vowed to bolster Taiwan’s deterrence against China on Monday during a bipartisan congressional visit to the self-governing democracy just days after Beijing surrounded the island with massive military exercises. US Representative Michael McCaul, Republican-Texas, has vowed to bolster Taiwan's deterrence against China. China’s military drills, he said, were “to express their displeasure with President Lai, a president democratically elected by the people of Taiwan.”But he added they had another objective. The delegation also met with Lai, Taiwan’s new leader, on Monday morning. China responded with a show of military force and later imposed sanctions on McCaul.

Persons: Lai Ching, Michael McCaul, ”, McCaul, Lai, ” McCaul, China’s, Xi Jinping, Xi, “, Mao Ning, Michael Brochstein, Lin Chia, ” “ It’s, ” Lin, Taiwan’s, “ Taiwan’s, ” Lai, Ronald Reagan’s, Tsai Ing, Nancy Pelosi’s Organizations: CNN, China, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Taiwan, US, Party, Republican, Ministry, Taiwan’s Locations: Beijing, China, Taiwan, Taipei, Ukraine, Taiwan Strait, Texas, United States, America, People’s Republic of China

☆ China's gold rush shows the Chinese still have money to spend — they're just not into Starbucks or Gucci
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

It also reflects that there's money in the system — but Chinese consumers are just really not that keen on dropping their hard-earned cash at Starbucks or Gucci. China's demand for gold jewelry softened in the first quarter of this year due to the surge in gold prices but was still holding up well, according to the council. Gen Z Chinese consumers ditch luxury for goldUnlike the rush into gold assets, Chinese consumers are not running out to buy even more stuff, particularly foreign imports. China's savings rate was around 32% last year — compared to around 4% in the US, according to a McKinsey analysis of official data. "Chinese households are increasingly confronted by the weak long-term Chinese growth outlook and the slumping prices in China's residential real estate market," said Biswas.

Persons: —, Rajiv Biswas, Gen, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Laxman Narasimhan, Nomura, Lynn Song, Jean, Jacques Guiony, Biswas, McKinsey Organizations: Service, Gucci, Business, World Gold, Bloomberg, Starbucks, Huawei, Nomura, ING, McKinsey Locations: Japan, China, American, Greater China

☆ Dollar firm ahead of global inflation data
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The dollar made a steady start to the week, as investors were focused on U.S., European and Japanese inflation data to guide the global interest rate outlook. The euro , which gained 0.9% on the dollar last week, was in the middle of a range it has held for more than a year at $1.0846. German inflation on Wednesday and euro zone readings on Friday will be watched for confirmation of a European rate cut that traders have priced for next week. The dollar had fallen back after data showed a slowdown in consumer price rises in April and disappointing retail sales, before strengthening last week thanks to better-than-expected PMI survey data. China's yuan finished last week weaker than 7.24 per dollar, its lowest level since early May.

Persons: Sterling, Bob Savage, BNY, China's, Scott Gold, would've, Justin D'Anethan Organizations: New, U.S, Federal, Swiss, Tokyo CPI Locations: Britain, United States, U.S, Asia, New York

☆ Americans are expected to splurge on travel this summer — again
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-26 | by ( Bryan Mena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Analysts are expecting the Memorial Day weekend to usher in yet another summer of strong consumer spending on travel and other leisure activities. “We haven’t seen Memorial Day weekend travel numbers like these in almost 20 years,” Paula Twidale, senior vice president at AAA Travel, said in a release. Spending this summer will likely be a little softer than last year’s, they said, but still strong. The bank’s consumer travel survey showed that 72% of people said they’re planning to travel, with 36% saying they’ve already planned their trip. Even among respondents making less than $75,000 a year, more than 60% said they’re planning to travel this summer.

Persons: ” Paula Twidale, Royal Caribbean’s, ” David Tinsley, they’ve, Joelle, aren’t, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu “, Atsuko Sato, ”, Sato, ” Kabosu, Kabosu, Shiba, Loretta Mester, Neel Kashkari, Lisa Cook, Robin, John Williams, Raphael Bostic, Lorie Logan Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, Washington CNN —, Transportation Security Administration, AAA, AAA Travel, Bank of America Institute, Bank of America, Japan, Europe, New York Fed, Public Policy Research, Mizuho Financial, Federal, Global, Index, Board, HP, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Abercrombie, Fitch, Eagle Outfitters, Costco, Dell, Dollar, Hormel, US Commerce Department, US Labor Department, National Association of Realtors, China’s National Bureau of Statistics, Atlanta Fed Locations: Washington, Caribbean, South Korea, Switzerland, Colombia, Costa Rica, Canada, Mexico, Domestically , California, Florida, California, “, Sakura, CAVA, Chewy, Burlington, Birkenstock, Nordstrom, Kohl’s

☆ Bipartisan congressional delegation visits Taiwan following days of Chinese military drills around island
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-26 | by ( Avery Lotz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on Sunday following the election of the island’s new president and after days of Chinese military drills. The US will continue to stand by our steadfast partner and work to maintain the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. US officials condemned the drills, with the State Department urging the Chinese to “act with restraint.”Two years ago, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island, marking the first time a US House speaker had traveled to Taiwan in 25 years. Her visit was met with days of large-scale military drills and warnings of a “severe impact” on US-China relations from the Chinese government. In April 2023, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy similarly defied threats from China, presenting a united front with then-President Tsai Ing-wen in a California meeting.

Persons: Michael McCaul, Lai Ching, China’s, Putin, Xi, ” McCaul, Xi Jinping, ”, Nancy Pelosi, Kevin McCarthy, Tsai Ing, “, Antony Blinken Organizations: CNN — House Foreign, Communist Party, US, Taiwan, House Foreign Affairs Committee, ” CNN, State Department Locations: Taiwan, Beijing, Ukraine, Israel, Iran, “ Taiwan, Taiwan Strait, America, Asia, China, California

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