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☆ This technology could transform one of the world’s dirtiest industries. Experts say it’s way off pace
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-23 | by ( Rachel Ramirez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

This complex will be world’s first large-scale “green steel” project, according to H2 Green Steel, the Swedish company behind the multi-billion-dollar mill. Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg/Getty ImagesWhile projects like H2 Green Steel show momentum is growing, experts say the pace is far too slow. Northern Sweden is also home to the HYBRIT green steel pilot plant — which is one step ahead. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a visit to Hybrit Steel Plant in Lulea, Sweden, on May 30, 2023. But there’s also the challenge of producing large amounts of green hydrogen, which will require huge amounts of renewable energy.

Persons: Peter Boer, Dhiraj Singh, ”, Mohamed Atouife, Daniel Acker, ” Atouife, HYBRIT, Biden, Antony Blinken, Jonas Ekstromer, Martin Pei, SSAB, ” Pei, Chathurika, Caitlin Swalec, Jonathan Nackstrand, Pei, there’s, –, Philipp Verpoort, “ It’s, Princeton’s, Swalec, Chris Greig, ” Greig, RMI’s Gamage Organizations: CNN, Green Steel, Tata Steel, Bloomberg, Getty, Rourkela Steel, Princeton University, Volvo, Hybrit Steel, TT, Agency, AFP, “, Mountain Institute, Global Energy Monitor, Potsdam Institute, Climate Impact, Potsdam, Princeton University’s Andlinger Center for Energy, Workers, Jiangsu Shagang, Co, European Union Locations: Sweden, Boden, Swedish, Wijk aan, Netherlands, Odisha, India, Indiana, Portage , Indiana, Northern Sweden, Cleveland, Ohio, Middletown, Mississippi, Lulea, Luleå, AFP, China, Europe, Japan, Jiangsu, Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, European

Workers at the construction site of resettlement housing in Huai 'an city, Jiangsu province, China, June 17, 2024. Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty ImagesAsia-Pacific markets started the day mixed as investors awaited China's one- and five-year loan prime rates. The one-year loan prime rate serves as a benchmark for most corporate and household loans, while the five-year rate serves as a peg for property mortgages. The one-year LPR currently stands at 3.45%, while the five-year LPR is at 3.95%. Japan's Nikkei 225 and the broad-based Topix started the day with losses of 0.28% and 0.12%, respectively.

Persons: Huai, LPR, Korea's Kospi, Topix, Australia's Organizations: Getty, People's Bank of China, Nikkei, Reuters Locations: Jiangsu province, China, Asia, Pacific

☆ China's new home prices inch up for 9th month in May, survey shows
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A real estate complex under construction in Huai 'an city, Jiangsu Province, China, June 20, 2023. New home prices in China rose slightly for a ninth month in May, a private survey showed, driven higher by a slew of supportive steps to prop up the nation's crisis-hit property sector. The average new home price across 100 cities rose 0.25% on month in May, following a 0.27% gain in April, the data from real estate researcher China Index Academy showed on Saturday. China's property sector, a pillar of the economy, has lurched from one crisis to another since 2021 after a regulatory crackdown on high leverage among developers triggered a liquidity crisis. The government is struggling to boost home sales or increase liquidity by taking a series of stimulus and easing measures.

Persons: Huai Organizations: China Index, China Locations: Jiangsu Province, China

☆ A rare feather just sold for $28,000, making it worth 40 times as much as gold by weight
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewA single feather of an extinct bird was auctioned off in New Zealand on Monday for about $28,000, making it the most expensive feather ever sold worldwide. The huia feather sold at Webb's Auction House in Auckland was initially estimated to be worth around $1,830, but its sale price ballooned after 59 bids. Gold costs around $77 per gram in New Zealand, and the 9-gram huia feather is worth $3,153 per gram. Related storiesThe feather sold on Monday is framed under protective glass and is classified by the New Zealand government as a Y-registered object. The huia feather sale comes as auctions draw attention largely from sports and celebrity memorabilia sold at once-seemingly outlandish prices.

Persons: —, huia, Diego Maradona Organizations: Service, Zealand Geographic, Business, The Guardian, New, New Zealand Geographic Locations: New Zealand, New, Auckland

☆ China's sweeping measures to prop up the property sector will need time to show results
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A real estate construction site in Wanxiang City, Huai 'an City, East China's Jiangsu province, May 17, 2024. Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty ImagesBEIJING — China's sweeping moves on Friday to increase support for real estate will take time to show results, analysts said. Despite the news, S&P is still sticking to its base case from earlier in the month that China's property market is likely still "searching for a bottom," Edward Chan, director, corporate ratings, said during the firm's webinar on Monday. But he pointed out that for real estate to see significant stabilization, homebuyers' demand and confidence will need to improve after a market downturn of nearly three years. "We believe Beijing is headed in the right direction with regard to ending the epic housing crisis," Nomura's Chief China Economist Ting Lu said in a report Monday.

Persons: Huai, Edward Chan, Ting, Nomura, Goldman Sachs, Chief China Economist Hui Shan, Ting Lu, P's Chan Organizations: Future Publishing, Getty, BEIJING, Chief China Economist, China Locations: Wanxiang City, City, East China's Jiangsu, Hong Kong, Beijing, Ting Lu, China

☆ China retail sales, investment data miss expectations in April
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING — China reported data Friday that pointed to slower growth on the consumer side while industrial activity remained robust. Retail sales rose by 2.3% in April from a year ago, the National Bureau of Statistics said. That was less than the 3.8% increase forecast by a Reuters poll, and slower than the 3.1% pace reported in March. But fixed asset investment rose by 4.2% for the first four months of the year, lower than the 4.6% expected increase. Statistics bureau spokeswoman Liu Aihua pointed out that last year, the multi-day May 1 Labor Day holiday had included two days in April.

Persons: Liu Aihua, Liu Organizations: National Bureau of Statistics, China's Ministry of Commerce, Labor, Statistics, Oxford Locations: Huai'an, China, BEIJING — China

☆ China pledges $42 billion in a slew of measures to support the struggling property sector
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

China announced "historic" steps to stabilize the crisis-hit property sector on May 17, 2024, allowing local governments to buy "some" apartments, relaxing mortgage rules and pledging to deliver unfinished homes. These and other measures announced Friday marked Beijing's latest efforts to address issues in the massive real estate sector. The real estate companies can then use funds earned from those sales to complete construction on other apartments, the central bank said. Pre-sold, unfinished homesFor years, many apartments in China tended to be sold before construction was finished. Nomura estimated last year there were around 20 million such pre-sold, unfinished apartments in China.

Persons: Zhu Ning, Tao Ling, Xiao Yuanqi, Larry Hu, Dong Jianguo, Lifeng, Zhu, Nomura Organizations: China, Nurphoto, Getty, Tsinghua University, People's Bank of China, National Financial Regulatory, Macquarie, CNBC, of Housing, Housing, Future Publishing Locations: BEIJING, Wanxiang City, Huai'an City, East China's Jiangsu, China

Photo taken on January 21, 2024 shows a real estate project under construction in Huai 'an city, Jiangsu province, China. Asia-Pacific markets rebounded from Friday's sell-off as investors look to fresh data points out of China, Japan and South Korea this week. On Friday, markets in the region tumbled after Israel launched a strike at Iran, causing stocks to fall and safe-haven assets to climb. On Monday, investors will monitor China's one-year and five-year loan prime rates. The five-year LPR will be closely watched, as it acts as the peg for most property mortgages.

Persons: Huai Organizations: Israel Locations: Jiangsu province, China, Asia, Pacific, Japan, South Korea, Iran

☆ China needs a narrative that house prices are going to rise, Nomura's Koo says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Pictured here is a real estate project under construction in Huai 'an city, Jiangsu province, China, on April 8, 2024. BEIJING — China needs to convince people that home prices are on their way up in order for economic activity to pick up, Richard Koo, chief economist at Nomura Research Institute, told CNBC's Steve Sedgwick last week. In other words, as Koo warned last year, China may be entering a "balance sheet recession," similar to what Japan experienced during its economic slump. "For them to come back and borrow money, we need a narrative that says, okay, this is the bottom of the prices, the prices will start going up from this point onwards," Koo said. Koo and other analysts have pointed out that in China's policy-driven economy, house prices have not fallen as much as expected given declines in other aspects of the property market.

Persons: Huai, Richard Koo, CNBC's Steve Sedgwick, Goldman Sachs, Koo, " Koo Organizations: Nomura Research Institute, Japan Locations: Jiangsu province, China, BEIJING

☆ China policymakers will struggle to give markets what they want, chief strategist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Photo taken on January 21, 2024 shows a real estate project under construction in Huai 'an city, Jiangsu province, China. CFOTO | Future Publishing | Getty ImagesPolicymakers are doing little to soothe concerns surrounding China's ailing economy, Brian McCarthy, chief strategist at Macrolens told CNBC's "Street Signs Asia" on Wednesday. The latest monetary policy announcement from the People's Bank of China (PBOC) saw the central bank cut the benchmark 5-year loan prime rate by 25 basis points earlier this week. Many observers saw the move as an effort to boost the country's struggling property market, as the majority of mortgages are pegged to this rate. The 5-year loan prime rate cut was a more "aggressive" move within these decisions, he added.

Persons: Huai, Brian McCarthy, Macrolens, CNBC's, Wei Yao, Générale, stabler, McCarthy Organizations: Getty, People's Bank of China, CSI Locations: Jiangsu province, China, Asia

☆ IMF expects new housing demand in China to drop by around 50% in the next decade
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesBEIJING — Demand for new housing in China is set to drop by around 50% over the next decade, making it harder for Beijing to quickly bolster the country's overall growth. China's real estate sector and related industries have accounted for about a quarter of the country's gross domestic product. Zhang said China's housing demand would remain large, and policy support would gradually kick in. "Therefore, a significant decline in housing demand is very unlikely to happen," he said. The IMF report compared housing demand and new starts from the 2012 to 2021 period with estimates for 2024 to 2033.

Persons: Zhengxin Zhang, Zhang, Evergrande, Sonali Jain, Chandra, Nir Klein Organizations: Nurphoto, Getty, International Monetary Fund's, IMF, U.S ., People's Bank of China Locations: Huai'an, China, BEIJING, Beijing, Evergrande, Hong Kong, Asia, Pacific

☆ China's property 'inventory overhang' could take more than 10 years to correct, economist says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-04 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The site of a real estate building under construction in Huai 'an city, Jiangsu province, China, December 26, 2023. "If you look at the inventory overhang situation — at this sales rate — it will take about two years to clear all the inventory that is outstanding in the market," Hong told CNBC Street Signs Asia on Thursday. At the same time, one has to find new growth spots for the economy to go forward, instead of just relying on just the property sector and property investment for economic growth," Hong said. One has to find new growth spots for the economy to go forward, instead of just relying on just the property sector and property investment for economic growth. "This time around, it seems to us that the property sector has peaked and the long cycle is coming down.

Persons: Huai, Hao Hong, Hong, China's Organizations: Getty, Investment, CNBC, Beijing, Economic Work Locations: Jiangsu province, China

☆ Copper could skyrocket over 75% to record highs by 2025 — brace for deficits, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-03 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Copper prices are set to soar more than 75% over the next two years amid mining supply disruptions and higher demand for the metal, fueled by the push for renewable energy. In a December report, the investment bank forecast that the higher renewable energy targets would boost copper demand by extra 4.2 million tons by 2030. This would potentially push copper prices to $15,000 a ton in 2025, the report added, way higher than the record peak of $10,730 per ton scaled in March last year. "This assumes a very soft landing in the U.S. and Europe, an earlier global growth recovery, significant China easing," Citi analysts said, while also emphasizing on continued investments in the energy transition sector. A growing economy tends to boost demand for copper, which is used in electrical equipment and industrial machinery.

Persons: Matty Zhao Organizations: U.S, BMI, Fitch Solutions, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of America Securities, CNBC, Citibank, Citi Locations: Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, China, Asia, Pacific, U.S, Europe

☆ China bill aims to make preschool more accessible amid flagging birth rate
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The draft Preschool Education Law includes measures to curb excessive profit-seeking by preschool providers, the state-backed China news service reported. Children applying for preschool places should not be subject "to any form of examination or testing except for necessary physical examinations," the official Xinhua news agency reported. The draft law comes as China's fertility rate is estimated to have dropped to a record low of 1.09 in 2022, one of the world's lowest alongside South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Concerned about its rapidly ageing population, Beijing is urgently trying an array of measures to lift the birth rate, including financial incentives and improved childcare facilities. The draft preschool law will now be reviewed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

Persons: Huai Jinpeng, Farah Master, Conor Humphries Organizations: Xinhua, of, South, National, Thomson Locations: Xujiashan, Haitang, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province, China, HONG KONG, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing

☆ China's property giant Evergrande files for bankruptcy protection in Manhattan court
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Future Publishing | Future Publishing | Getty ImagesChina's heavily indebted property developer Evergrande group on Thursday filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection in a U.S. court. In a filing to the Manhattan bankruptcy court, the firm sought recognition of restructuring talks under way in Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands. The Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection allows a U.S. bankruptcy court to intervene in cross-border insolvency case involving foreign companies that are undergoing restructuring from creditors. Tianji Holdings, an affiliate of Evergrande, and its subsidiary Scenery Journey, also filed for Chapter 15 protection in a Manhattan bankruptcy court, according to the filing. The firm has also suspended trading in at least 10 of its mainland-China traded yuan bonds, according to Reuters.

Organizations: Future Publishing, British Virgin Islands, CNBC, Tianji Holdings, Evergrande, ., Reuters Locations: Huai'an, Jiangsu, China, U.S, Manhattan, Hong Kong, Cayman Islands, British Virgin

☆ Ancient reptile was riddled with parasites, fossilized poop reveals
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Mindy Weisberger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Researchers didn’t find the parasites in phytosaur bones or teeth; rather, they retrieved them from a nugget of fossilized feces, known as a coprolite. For example, certain fish with spiraling intestines poop out what eventually become spiral-shaped coprolites, according to Nonsrirach. “Studying the remains of parasites in coprolites is important since it provides us with rare insights into ancient parasite-host relationships,” Qvarnström said. “This event raises interesting questions about how prey animals and parasites interact with each other. It suggests that parasites may have been inside the bodies of prey before they were eaten,” Nonsrirach said.

Persons: didn’t, ”, Thanit Nonsrirach, “, Nonsrirach, Coprolites, Martin Qvarnström, Qvarnström, ” Qvarnström, ” Nonsrirach, ” Mindy Weisberger Organizations: CNN, Mahasarakham, Uppsala University, University of California Museum of Paleontology, Scientific Locations: Thailand, Asia, Kham Riang, Sweden, Berkeley, coprolites

☆ Thai zoo breeds endangered vultures hoping to see them soar again
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( Napat Wesshasartar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand, April 25 (Reuters) - Four times a day, Thai conservationist Watchiradol Phangpanya puts on a black, long-sleeved shirt, red gloves, and a red balaclava, hoping to imitate an endangered red-headed vulture feeding its baby. [1/3] A new born red-headed vulture is pictured at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, Thailand, April 15, 2023. As a scavenger, the red-headed vulture used to play a crucial role in the ecosystem by consuming animal carcasses. After nearly two decades of trying to increase the red-headed vulture population, the zoo is starting to see results, with another egg being incubated by its parents in conservation. "We would like to see the Asian king vulture soar once again through the skies of Thailand," he said.

☆ Credit Agricole launches China M&A and investment banking business
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HONG KONG, March 27 (Reuters) - Credit Agricole (CAGR.PA), France's second-biggest listed bank, has become the latest foreign lender to boost its China investment banking operations with the launch of a new unit. The new unit, Credit Agricole (Beijing) Advisory Services, focuses on cross-border merger and acquisition, encompassing purchases, disposals and capital raising, it said in a statement on Monday. The unit which began operations on March 10 is overseen by Huai Yang as head of the operation, the bank said. Previously, the bank served its Chinese advisory clients from its offshore base. Some global banks are accelerating their expansion in China with the government granting a few major licences since earlier this year.

China's four new vice premiers:Ding Xuexiang, 60, is the first-ranked vice premier who also sits in the ruling Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee, China's top echelon of power. Wang Zhigang, 65, remains minister of science and technology. Huai Jinpeng, 60, remains minister of educationPan Yue, 62, remains head of the National Ethnic Affairs CommissionWang Xiaohong, 65, remains minister of public securityChen Yixin, 63, remains minister of state security. Considered a Xi ally, he had worked with Xi when the latter was party chief of Zhejiang province from 2002-2007. Tang Dengjie, 63, remains minister of civil affairsHe Rong, 60, remains minister of justiceWang Xiaoping, 59, remains minister of human resources and social securityWang Guanghua, 59, remains minister of natural resourcesHuang Runqiu, 59, remains minister of ecology and environmentNi Hong, 60, remains minister of housing and urban-rural developmentLi Xiaopeng, 63, remains minister of transportLi Guoying, 63, remains minister of water resourcesTang Renjian, 60, remains minister of agriculture and rural affairsHu Heping, 60, remains minister of culture and tourismMa Xiaowei, 63, remains head of the National Health CommissionPei Jinjia, 59, remains minister of veterans affairsWang Xiangxi, 60, remains minister of emergency managementHou Kai, 60, remains auditor-general of the National Audit OfficeReporting by Yew Lun Tian, Ziyi Tang, additional reporting by Albee Zhang; Editing by Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Evergrande’s Foreign Bondholders Push Back as Hearing Looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Frances Yoon | Alexander Saeedy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The developer was one of the first victims of China’s property slump. Property developer China Evergrande Group is struggling to reach a deal with foreign bondholders, raising the possibility that a court will tell the company to wind down. Evergrande, once China’s largest property developer by sales, sold more than $20 billion of dollar bonds during a debt-fueled spending spree. The company defaulted on its foreign debt in late 2021, and has since been embroiled in a difficult negotiation with international bondholders. The latest bone of contention: whether Evergrande should be allowed to use its assets outside of China to pay debt incurred within the mainland.

☆ China's reopening could boost global growth — and worsen inflation
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

London CNN —China’s swift reopening after nearly three years of strict coronavirus controls could provide a much-needed boost to global economic growth, but may also stoke inflation just as it has shown signs of falling back. The revival of the world’s second largest economy — and its biggest consumer of commodities — threatens to push up global prices for fuel, industrial metals and food this year. The speed of the reopening, as well as indications that infections may have already peaked, has been surprising, analysts told CNN. Yet, if global food and energy prices start rising again, that could feed through into higher consumer prices. China’s reopening could bump up demand for agricultural goods, while the world is still in the grips of the worst food crisis in modern history.

☆ Housing might be struggling in China but there are green shoots in commercial property
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-13 | by ( Su-Lin Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Commercial property is a bright spot in Chinese real estate, in contrast with the doom and gloom of the residential housing market. Likewise, property group CIFI Holdings posted a 23% year-on-year drop in home sales in China for the first half, but reported a 69.5% lift in its property investment revenue. While some investors sold assets to stay liquid, Spiro said the commercial sector generally has more supportive government and fiscal policies. All in all, the Chinese commercial property sector's resilience lies in its ability to rebound faster than its residential counterpart. Down but not outBut unlike housing, the commercial sector is rebounding particularly after lockdowns ended and government incentives kicked in, CBRE said.

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