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☆ China appoints Lan Foan as new finance ministry party chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

The sign of China's Ministry of Finance is pictured in Beijing, China August 23, 2018. REUTERS/Jason Lee/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 28 (Reuters) - China's Communist Party has appointed Lan Foan as the new finance ministry party chief, the ministry said in a statement on Thursday. Lan will replace Liu Kun as the party chief of the finance ministry, the statement said. Lan, 61, was previously the party chief of the northern Chinese Shanxi province. Reporting by Albee Zhang and Ella Cao and Beijing newsroom; Editing by Himani SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jason Lee, Lan Foan, Lan, Liu Kun, Liu, Albee Zhang, Ella Cao, Himani Sarkar Organizations: China's Ministry of Finance, REUTERS, Rights, China's Communist Party, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, Shanxi

☆ Tesla working on 'gigacasting' tech to mould underbody in one piece -report
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A staff member attends to customers inside a Tesla Model Y car at a showroom of the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker in Beijing, China February 4, 2023. The state-owned Chinese newspaper, which based its report after a recent visit to Tesla's Shanghai factory, did not say when and where the upgrade will happen. Reuters reported this month that Tesla was closing in on an innovation that would allow it to die cast nearly all of the underbody of an electric vehicle in one piece. Tesla has pioneered the use of huge presses with 6,000 to 9,000 tons of clamping pressure to mould the front and rear structures of its Model Y in its "gigacasting" process that has slashed production costs. Reporting by Zhang Yan, Albee Zhang and Bernard Orr; Editing by Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Florence, Tesla, Zhang Yan, Albee Zhang, Bernard Orr, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Tesla, U.S, REUTERS, Rights, Shanghai Securities, Reuters, HK, Zeekr, Shanghai Securities News, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, Shanghai

☆ China says willing to play 'constructive' role in APEC's success
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Sept 26 (Reuters) - China is willing to play a "constructive" role in the success of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, its top diplomat said on Tuesday, after President Xi Jinping's absence at the annual Group of 20 summit in India. "As the world's largest developing country and an important member of APEC, China is willing to comply with the expectations of the international community and play a constructive role in the success of APEC this year," said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Xi, with no official explanation, did not go to the G20 summit in New Delhi this month, with the Chinese premier, Li Qiang, attending in his place. That prompted the United States to say China was "giving up" on the G20 and was building an alternative world order. Dialogue between China and the United States has been gradually resuming despite tensions between the two superpowers, especially over Taiwan.

Persons: Xi, Wang Yi, Li Qiang, Wang, Biden, Washington's, Albee Zhang, Liz Lee, Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Economic Cooperation, APEC, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Asia, San Francisco, India, New Delhi, United States, Taiwan, Beijing, Pacific, Philippines

☆ China Says Willing to Play 'Constructive' Role in APEC's Success
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - China is willing to play a "constructive" role in the success of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, its top diplomat said on Tuesday, after President Xi Jinping's absence at the annual Group of 20 summit in India. "As the world's largest developing country and an important member of APEC, China is willing to comply with the expectations of the international community and play a constructive role in the success of APEC this year," said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Xi, with no official explanation, did not go to the G20 summit in New Delhi this month, with the Chinese premier, Li Qiang, attending in his place. That prompted the United States to say China was "giving up" on the G20 and was building an alternative world order. Dialogue between China and the United States has been gradually resuming despite tensions between the two superpowers, especially over Taiwan.

Persons: Xi, Wang Yi, Li Qiang, Wang, Biden, Washington's, Albee Zhang, Liz Lee, Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Economic Cooperation, APEC Locations: BEIJING, China, Asia, San Francisco, India, New Delhi, United States, Taiwan, Beijing, Pacific, Philippines

☆ China's Xi seriously considering South Korea visit, Yonhap reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING/SEOUL, Sept 23 (Reuters) - China's President Xi Jinping on Saturday said he will seriously consider visiting South Korea, Yonhap news agency reported, as part of efforts to support peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. Xi, who has not visited South Korea since 2014, held talks with Han in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou before the opening ceremony of the Asian Games on Saturday. Xi told Han he would welcome such a summit at an opportune time and would seriously consider visiting South Korea, Yonhap reported. China attaches great importance to the positive willingness of South Korea to commit to cooperation, Xi said, according to CCTV, and asked South Korea to meet it half way to maintain the direction of friendly cooperation. Tensions between the two countries rose after North Korea's Kim Jong Un made a week-long visit to Russia earlier this month, which angered the United States, Japan and South Korea.

Persons: Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Xi, Han Duck, Han, Yonhap, Korea's Kim Jong Un, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, Joyce Lee, Mike Harrison, David Holmes Organizations: Rights, China Central Television, South Korean, Asian Games, South, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, SEOUL, South Korea, China, Hangzhou, Seoul, Japan, North Korea, Russia, United States, Beijing

☆ Even China's 1.4 billion population can't fill all its vacant homes, former official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

As of the end of August, the combined floor area of unsold homes stood at 648 million square metres (7 billion square feet), the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show. That would be equal to 7.2 million homes, according to Reuters calculations, based on the average home size of 90 square metres. "How many vacant homes are there now? Each expert gives a very different number, with the most extreme believing the current number of vacant homes are enough for 3 billion people," said He Keng, 81, a former deputy head of the statistics bureau. "All sorts of comments predicting the collapse of China's economy keep surfacing every now and then, but what has collapsed is such rhetoric, not China's economy," a spokesperson at the foreign ministry said at a recent news conference.

Persons: Keng, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, Jan Harvey Organizations: China Evergrande, HK, Garden Holdings, National Bureau of Statistics, China News Service, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Dongguan

☆ China, resource-rich East Timor upgrade bilateral ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

He said he would continue to foster a relationship with the United States, but added that East Timor would not be implicated in any rivalry between Beijing and Washington. East Timor welcomes strong ties with all countries, including its southern neighbour Australia, Ramos-Horta said last year. Upgrading their ties, China and East Timor agreed to cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative championed by Xi, that could open the way for investment in infrastructure. China sent its military-run hospital ship to the Pacific in July to visit countries including East Timor and the Solomon islands. In a joint declaration, released on state run China Central Television (CCTV) on Saturday, China said it would provide help for East Timor's economic and societal development.

Persons: Xanana Gusmao, Mast, Xi Jinping, Jose Ramos, Ramos, Horta, Xi, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Timor's, 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Rights, East Timor's, Asian Games, East, Washington . East Timor, Initiative, Pacific, China Central Television, Greater, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights BEIJING, China, East Timor, Beijing, Hangzhou, Horta, United States, Timor, Washington . East, Australia, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Solomon, Greater Sunrise

Dombrovskis, who is also the bloc's trade commissioner, is on a four-day visit to China seeking more balanced economic ties with the EU. Citing the bloc's trade deficit as an example, he added "the EU also needs to protect itself in situations when its openness is abused." LITMUS TESTThe EU blames its 400 billion euro trade deficit partly on Chinese restrictions on European companies. A "thousand" barriers to market access have propelled the trade deficit to its "highest in the history of mankind", EU Ambassador to China Jorge Toledo lamented at a forum in Beijing on Thursday. One with whom the EU wishes to work towards a more balanced trade and investment relationship."

Persons: Valdis Dombrovskis, Jason Xue, Dombrovskis, China Jorge Toledo, Lifeng, Moscow, Brenda Goh, Albee Zhang, Shri Navaratnam, William Mallard Organizations: European Commission, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, European Union, Bund Summit, EU, Global Times, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Moscow, Russian, Ukraine, Beijing, Dombrovskis

☆ China Willing to Work With South Korea Ahead of Summit With Japan - Xi
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - China is willing to work with South Korea to promote a strategic partnership to develop with the times, President Xi Jinping told South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Saturday, amid rising tensions surrounding Russia, the United States and North Korea. The commitment to cooperation came ahead of scheduled trilateral talks between China, Japan and South Korea in Seoul on Sept. 26, the first summit led by their senior officials in four years. Xi told Han that he welcomes the summit at an opportune time and he will seriously consider the matter of visiting South Korea, Yonhap reported on Saturday. China attaches great importance to the positive willingness of South Korea to commit to cooperation, Xi said, and asked South Korea to meet it half way to maintain the direction of friendly cooperation. Tensions between the two East Asian countries rose after North Korea's Kim Jong Un's weeklong visit to Russia earlier this month, which angered the United States, Japan and South Korea.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Han Duck, Xi, Han, Yonhap, Korea's Kim Jong, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, William Mallard, Mike Harrison Organizations: South Korean, Asian Games, China Central Television, South Locations: BEIJING, China, South Korea, Russia, United States, North Korea, Hangzhou, Japan, Seoul

☆ China willing to work with South Korea ahead of summit with Japan, Xi Jinping says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the plenary session of the 2023 BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa on August 23, 2023. GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 23 (Reuters) - China is willing to work with South Korea to promote a strategic partnership to develop with the times, President Xi Jinping told South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Saturday, amid rising tensions surrounding Russia, the United States and North Korea. The commitment to cooperation came ahead of scheduled trilateral talks between China, Japan and South Korea in Seoul on Sept. 26, the first summit led by their senior officials in four years. Xi told Han that he welcomes the summit at an opportune time and he will seriously consider the matter of visiting South Korea, Yonhap reported on Saturday. China attaches great importance to the positive willingness of South Korea to commit to cooperation, Xi said, and asked South Korea to meet it half way to maintain the direction of friendly cooperation.

Persons: Xi Jinping, GIANLUIGI, Han Duck, Xi, Han, Yonhap, Korea's Kim Jong, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, William Mallard, Mike Harrison Organizations: Rights, South Korean, Asian Games, China Central Television, South, Thomson Locations: Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa, Rights BEIJING, China, South Korea, Russia, United States, North Korea, Hangzhou, Japan, Seoul

☆ China has issued some export licences for gallium and germanium
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

The flag of China is placed next to the elements of Gallium and Germanium on a periodic table, in this illustration picture taken on July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Some Chinese companies have obtained export licences for gallium and germanium products, the commerce ministry said on Thursday, after Beijing introduced new conditions for exports on Aug. 1. The Ministry of Commerce has approved applications from some companies that meet relevant requirements, spokesman He Yadong said at a regular press briefing. Reporting by Joe Cash, Albee Zhang, and Amy Lv in Beijing; editing by Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Florence Lo, Yadong, Joe Cash, Albee Zhang, Amy Lv, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, of Commerce, Thomson Locations: China, Rights BEIJING, Beijing

☆ China approves export licences for chip materials gallium, germanium
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The flag of China is placed next to the elements of Gallium and Germanium on a periodic table, in this illustration picture taken on July 6, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Some Chinese companies have obtained export licences for gallium and germanium products, the commerce ministry said on Thursday, after Beijing set new conditions on exports from Aug. 1. The comments came after China's exports of germanium and gallium items plunged in August, the first month of the export controls，customs data showed on Wednesday. China unveiled curbs that month on exports of eight gallium and six germanium products, starting from August. The new rules require exporters of germanium and gallium products to obtain an export licence for dual-use items and technologies, or those which have potential military and civilian uses.

Persons: Florence Lo, Yadong, Joe Cash, Albee Zhang, Amy Lv, Jason Neely, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: China, Rights BEIJING, Beijing, Washington

[1/2] Visitors look at displays of military aircraft and a ground-to-ground missile at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing, China October 8, 2022. A Chinese military expert told Reuters the high-powered engine, shown for the first time, is key to China's development of medium- and heavyweight helicopters. It could be used as an aircraft carrier escort. Western analysts have noted that China has lagged behind in anti-submarine warfare, which are vital to protect long-range aircraft carrier operations. A media report quoted a Chinese military expert as saying the new frigate can serve as a "mini destroyer".

Persons: Florence Lo, Albee Zhang, Greg Torode, Ryan Woo, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Military Museum of, REUTERS, NEW, Reuters, China, WS, PREPPING, People's Liberation Army Navy, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Taiwan, Tianjin, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, U.S, South Korea, Japan, Guam, Fujian

☆ Chinese navy seeks graduate students for warplane pilot roles
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Sept 21 (Reuters) - The Chinese navy wants to hire highly educated graduate students to fly shipborne aircraft, and is raising the age limit to expand its search, as it seeks to improve the qualifications of its air personnel and build a "strong army". In an advertisement on social media platform WeChat, the People's Liberation Army Navy said it was seeking graduate students who hold science and engineering master degrees and who are below 26 years old to pilot aircraft from ships, including China's growing fleet of aircraft carriers. "The need for high-quality military talent becomes more imperative day by day," the People's Liberation Army Navy said in the advert, published on Wednesday. "The mission and tasks of the navy continue to expand. Candidates must be male with a clean "political history" and have no legal or disciplinary history, according to the advertisement.

Persons: Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, Miral Organizations: People's Liberation Army Navy, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Fujian

☆ China, EU to hold high-level economic and trade dialogue in Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

An attendant walks past EU and China flags ahead of the EU-China High-level Economic Dialogue at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China June 25, 2018. REUTERS/Jason Lee/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 21 (Reuters) - The 10th China-European Union High-Level Economic and Trade Dialogue will be held in Beijing on Sept. 25, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Thursday. Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng will co-chair the meeting with European Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis. Reporting by Joe Cash, Albee Zhang and Ethan Wang; Editing by Neil Fullick and Himani SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jason Lee, Lifeng, Joe Cash, Albee Zhang, Ethan Wang, Neil Fullick, Himani Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European, Trade Valdis, Thomson Locations: China, EU, Beijing, Rights BEIJING

Retail sales, a gauge of consumption, also increased at a faster 4.6% pace in August aided by the summer travel season, and was the quickest growth since May. The upbeat data suggest that a flurry of recent measures including property support policies to shore up a faltering economic recovery are starting to bear fruit. "Despite signs of stabilisation in manufacturing and related investment, the deteriorating property investment will continue to pressure economic growth," said Gary Ng, Natixis Asia Pacific senior economist. Ng said confidence remains the root of most problems requiring larger "constructive policy and regulatory changes" to boost growth momentum. For August, property investment extended its fall, down 19.1% year-on-year from a 17.8% slump the previous month, according to Reuters calculations based on NBS data.

Persons: Gary Ng, Ng, Albee Zhang, Liangping Gao, Kevin Yao, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, National Bureau of Statistics, Natixis Asia Pacific, Thomson Locations: Wuhan, Hubei province, China, BEIJING, U.S

☆ China August industrial output, retail sales growth beat expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An employee inspects a circuit board on the controller production line at a Gree factory, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei province, China August 16, 2021. The data released on Friday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) beat expectations for a 3.9% increase in a Reuters poll of analysts, and marked the quickest rate since April. Retail sales, a gauge of consumption, also grew at a faster 4.6% pace in August aided by the summer travel season, and was the quickest growth since May. Fixed asset investment expanded 3.2% in the first eight months of 2023 from the same period a year earlier, versus expectations for a 3.3% rise. Reporting by Albee Zhang, Ellen Zhang and Joe Cash Editing by Shri NavaratnamOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Albee Zhang, Ellen Zhang, Joe Cash, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, National Bureau of Statistics, Thomson Locations: Wuhan, Hubei province, China, Rights BEIJING, U.S

☆ Qualcomm China signs MOU with Baidu to work on XR technology
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Qualcomm logo is seen in this illustration taken, May 8, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Qualcomm China has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with China's Baidu (9888.HK) to work on extended reality (XR) technology, the company said in a statement on its social media account on Friday. They will work together on areas including XR technology and generative artificial intelligence to build a new generation of metaverse infrastructures, said the statement from Qualcomm. Reporting by Albee Zhang and Brenda Goh; Editing by Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Baidu, Albee Zhang, Brenda Goh, Tom Hogue Organizations: Qualcomm, REUTERS, Rights, Qualcomm China, HK, Thomson Locations: Rights BEIJING

☆ More Chinese cities lift home-buying curbs to revive demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Two major cities in eastern China lifted all curbs on home purchases and selling on Monday, joining several other cities in dropping restrictions to attract buyers and revive a largely frozen property market. Qingdao previously limited the number of homes that could be purchased in two districts. Last week, three cities - Nanjing in eastern Jiangsu province and Dalian and Shenyang in northeastern Liaoning province - became the first group of big cities to eliminate curbs on home buying. Smaller Chinese cities, whose property markets tend to have a larger share of their local economies, have already begun dismantling curbs. Jiaxing city, a relatively small city in the eastern province of Zhejiang, announced it would lift all curbs in the city in late August, according to a local media report.

Persons: Thomas Peter, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, Neil Fullick, Emelia Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, Jinan, Qingdao, China's, Shandong, Nanjing, Jiangsu, Dalian, Shenyang, Liaoning, Jiaxing, Zhejiang

☆ China hones anti-submarine capabilities amid South China Sea tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Aug 31 (Reuters) - China's military said it had recently held intensive anti-submarine exercises in the strategically important South China Sea as part of efforts to hone its capabilities amid rising maritime tensions with its neighbours and their allies. It was one of several such drills this year and was part of broader activities the Chinese military has conducted in the Indo-Pacific region. The United States and its allies have also stepped up military activities, especially in the South China Sea, most of which is claimed by Beijing. Last week, the U.S. and Indonesian defence chiefs said China's territorial claims in the South China Sea were "inconsistent with international law". "Japan and the United States have frequent submarine activities in the region," said Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping, but those activities were not disclosed.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Song Zhongping, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Community Emergency, Team, REUTERS, Rights, Southern Command Theatre, China's, Liberation Army, Beijing, U.S . Navy, Seventh Fleet, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, Rights BEIJING, South China, United States, U.S, Philippine, Japan, Australia, Britain

☆ China's biggest salt maker urges public not to panic buy after Fukushima discharge
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant after it started releasing treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean, seen from the nearby Ukedo fishing port in Namie town, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan August 25, 2023. REUTERS/Tom Bateman Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Aug 25 (Reuters) - China's biggest salt producer urged people against panic buying after Japan began discharging treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant on Thursday, despite firm opposition from Beijing. "We are working overtime to produce, distribute and making all efforts to guarantee market supply," the National Salt Industry Group said in its statement. The national salt group said sea salt only accounts for 10% of the salt people consume, the rest are well and late salt, which are safe from contamination. The group said its salt supply is ample and the stock shortfall would be temporary.

Persons: Tom Bateman, Albee Zhang, Brenda Goh, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Japan, Salt Industry Group, International Atomic Energy Agency, Thomson Locations: Fukushima, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, Rights BEIJING, Beijing, China, Shanghai

Construction workers take a nap in front of a wall of a construction site during their lunch break in Beijing, China, May 5, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon /File PhotoAug 15 (Reuters) - China suspended publication of its youth jobless data on Tuesday, saying it needed to review the methodology behind the closely watched benchmark, which has hit record highs in one of many warning signs for the world's second-largest economy. Fu Linghui, a spokesman for the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said the release of data would be suspended while authorities look to "optimise" collection methods. "The declining availability of macro data may further weaken global investors' confidence in China," said Ting Lu, chief China economist at Nomura, adding that youth unemployment was expected to have risen in July. The most recent NBS data on youth unemployment, published last month, showed the jobless rate jumping to a record high of 21.3% in June.

Persons: Kim Kyung, Fu Linghui, Fu, Ting Lu, Tuesday's, Laurie Chen, Albee Zhang, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Sam Holmes, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, National Bureau of Statistics, Nomura, China News Service, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Weibo

Nomura analysts were equally downbeat on China's economic outlook. Most economists see downside risk to Chinese growth but they don't expect a recession. It was the slowest growth since December 2022, and shows just how much of a challenge authorities face as they try to make consumption the key driver of future economic growth. MORE STIMULUSAsian stocks stalled at one-month lows, the yuan hit a 9-month nadir while the dollar held broadly firm after the weak Chinese data and latest policy easing measures. But we do need to lower our expectations for China's growth."

Persons: Julian Evans, Pritchard, Nomura, Nie Wen, Robert Carnell, Liangping Gao, Albee Zhang, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: National Bureau of Statistics, Capital Economics, Retail, Hwabao Trust, Investment, Reuters, ING, NBS, Nomura, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Beijing, China, Asia, Pacific

Asian stocks were down and the dollar held firm after the weak Chinese data and latest policy easing measures. Investment in the property sector tumbled 8.5% year-on-year in January-July, after shrinking 7.9% in January-June, extending its fall for the 17th consecutive month. Demand for the property sector, once a pillar of economic growth, has remained weak in recent weeks. The nationwide survey-based jobless rate climbed slightly to 5.3% from 5.2% in June. After the youth jobless rate rose to record high of 21.3% in June, NBS spokesperson Fu Linghui said at Tuesday's press conference the bureau will suspend publishing the survey-based jobless rate for the 16-24 years old from August, adding China will further improve its employment statistics.

Persons: Julian Evans, Pritchard, Bruce Pang, Jones Lang Lasalle, Fu Linghui, Albee Zhang, Liangping Gao, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: National Bureau of Statistics, Retail, Capital Economics, Jones, Investment, Communist Party, NBS, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China

☆ China defence minister to visit Russia, Belarus Aug 14-19
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, Russia, April 16, 2023. Sputnik/Pavel Bednyakov/Pool via REUTERS/File PhotoBEIJING, Aug 14 (Reuters) - China's defence minister Li Shangfu will visit Russia and Belarus from Aug. 14-19, the ministry said in a statement on Monday. While in Russia, Li will attend an international security meeting and make a speech there, according to the statement. During his visit to Belarus, he will meet with the Belarus' head of state and military. Li will also visit military departments in Belarus.

Persons: Li Shangfu, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Shoigu, Pavel Bednyakov, Li, Albee Zhang, Liz Lee, Kim Coghill Organizations: Defence, Sputnik, Thomson Locations: Moscow, Russia, BEIJING, Belarus, China, Beijing

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