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☆ China's energy security push drives up fossil fuel approvals - research
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( David Stanway | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"China's government has put energy security and energy transition at odds with one another," said Greenpeace's Gao Yuhe, who led the research published on Thursday. "Beijing has clearly stated that coal power will still grow at a 'reasonable pace' into 2030," she said. China's National Energy Administration (NEA) did not immediately reply to a fax sent requesting a comment on the coal plants and their power generation policies. The increase in China's coal usage reflects a worldwide pattern. The International Energy Agency said last week that global coal consumption reached a record 8.3 billion tons in 2022, with strong growth in Asia offsetting declines elsewhere.

Persons: David Gray, Gao Yuhe, Xi Jinping, Gao, Jorrit Gosens, David Stanway, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Mongolia Autonomous, REUTERS, Companies Greenpeace, Greenpeace, National Energy Administration, International Energy Agency, National Development, Reform Commission, European, Global Energy Monitor, Australian National University, NEA, Thomson Locations: Baotou, China's, Mongolia, Mongolia Autonomous Region, SINGAPORE, China, Beijing, Asia, European Union

☆ China turns to rural tourism and smart appliances to boost consumption
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

On Monday, the central government announced 20 measures to support tourism, as well as spur consumption of electric cars and so-called smart appliances. The support measures announced included an entire section on spurring rural consumption. Specifics included subsidizing trade-ins for purchase of smart household appliances, improving delivery services and promoting rural tourism. Median disposable income for rural households rose by 6.1% in the first half of the year from a year ago, official data showed. But at 8,920 yuan ($1,245) in disposable income, rural households only had about 40% of what urban households had to spend.

Persons: Yang Bo, Xu Hongcai, Li Chunlin, Li, Nomura, Xu, Wang Jun Organizations: China News Service, Getty, China Association of Policy, National Development, Reform Commission, CNBC, Boston Consulting Group, U.S . Authorities, Huatai Asset Management Locations: Nanjing, China, BEIJING, Beijing, Hong Kong

☆ China Is Trying to Make Its Gloomy Consumers Spend More
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Keith Bradsher | More About Keith Bradsher | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Those were a few of a long list of measures detailed on Monday by the Chinese government in an effort to stimulate consumer spending. Li Chunlin, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, acknowledged at a news conference that consumers are wary. “Some consumers lack confidence and have many concerns,” he said. Real estate prices have tumbled, leaving many Chinese feeling poorer and less willing to spend. Youth unemployment reached 21.3 percent in June, leaving them and their nervous parents more cautious about spending.

Persons: Li Chunlin, ” Organizations: National Development, Reform Locations: Beijing, Real

☆ China's State Council issues measures to expand consumption
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, July 31 (Reuters) - China's State Council on Monday issued measures to restore and expand consumption in the automobile, real estate and services sector, aiming to give full play to the "fundamental role" of consumption in economic development. In an interview with state broadcaster CCTV published on Monday, unnamed officials from the National Development and Reform Commission said it will take the summer, Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays as an opportunity to expand holiday consumption. Last week, policymakers at a Politburo meeting pledged to step up policy support for the economy amid a tortuous post-COVID recovery, focusing on boosting domestic demand, signalling more stimulus steps. The world's second-largest economy grew at a sluggish pace in the second quarter as demand weakened at home and abroad. Reporting by Liangping Gao and Ryan Woo; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Christian SchmollingerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Liangping Gao, Ryan Woo, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: State, National Development, Reform Commission, Thomson Locations: BEIJING

☆ China PMI: factory sector contracts for fourth straight month, raising urgency for more stimulus
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Hong Kong CNN —China is preparing to announce new stimulus for its stumbling economy after the vast factory sector contracted for a fourth straight month, and a gauge of activity in its services sector slipped to a seven month low. The official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which measures activity level in the manufacturing sector, came in at 49.3 in July, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday. That result was slightly up compared with 49 in June but the index has nonetheless contracted each month since April. The official non-manufacturing PMI, which looks at activities in the services and construction industries, fell to 51.5 from 53.2 in June. “China’s official PMI data provides little encouragement that the economy is turning the corner,” said Robert Carnell, regional head of research for Asia-Pacific at ING Group.

Persons: Stringer, “, ”, Robert Carnell, Xi Jinping, Carnell Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, National Bureau, Statistics, PMI, Getty, ING Group, National Development, Reform Commission, Ministry of Industry, Information Technology, State, Information, Ministry of Commerce, Capital Economics Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Hangzhou, China's, Zhejiang, AFP, Asia, Pacific

☆ India’s opposition is uniting to unseat Modi in next year’s election. Should he be worried?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-28 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

But despite previous personality clashes and power ambitions, the 26 opposition leaders appear unified in one goal: to overturn Modi. India's opposition leaders announce their alliance in Bengaluru, India, July 18, 2023. APGathering of important partiesCoined to evoke a sense of nationalism ahead of the 2024 general election, the INDIA alliance in a statement last week emphasized its goal of upholding the country’s democratic institutions. Modi described the INDIA alliance as a “hardcore corruption convention,” adding the BJP was on course to clinch another victory in 2024. Sanchit Khanna/Hindustan Times/Getty ImagesNo clear leaderWhile the BJP can bank on the popularity of Modi, the INDIA alliance has not yet put forward a leader to challenge him next year.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Modi, Indira Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, ”, Niranjan Sahoo, PM Modi, tabling, “, Gilles Verniers, Sahoo, ” Sahoo, ” Rahul Gandhi, Sanchit Khanna, Gandhi, India’s, INIDA, shivers Organizations: New, New Delhi CNN, Developmental Inclusive Alliance, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, INDIA, Indian National Congress, Analysts, PM Modi’s BJP, New Delhi’s Observer Research Foundation, PM, Samajwadi Party, Aam Admi Party, Ashoka University and Co, Trivedi, Political, Congress, Ashoka University, Hindustan Times, Modi, Observer Research Foundation Locations: New Delhi, India, INDIA, Bengaluru, BJP, restive, Manipur, West Bengal, India’s, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Lok, Karnataka

July 28 (Reuters) - The United States and its partners are communicating with military leaders in Niger, a State Department spokesperson said on Friday, as Washington warned a military takeover could end U.S. cooperation with the nation. Coup leaders in Niger on Friday declared General Abdourahamane Tiani as the new head of state following the seventh military takeover in West and Central Africa in less than three years. Military leaders from ECOWAS nations and international partners including the United States are in communication with a broad array of military leaders in Niger," the State Department spokesperson said. So far in fiscal year 2023, the U.S. has provided nearly $138 million in humanitarian assistance for vulnerable populations in Niger, the State Department spokesperson said. The State Department spokesperson said there was no announcement about when she would travel to Niger.

Persons: Abdourahamane Tiani, John Kirby, Washington, Washington's, Biden, Kirby, Lloyd Austin, Kathleen FitzGibbon, Steve Holland, Daphne Psaledakis, Phil Stewart, Patricia Zengerle, David Ljunggren, Jonathan Oatis, Sandra Maler, Don Durfee, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: State Department, Friday, Military, White House, U.S . Agency for International Development, ., Pentagon, DoD, Department of Defense, The State Department, Thomson Locations: United States, Niger, Washington, West, Central Africa, U.S, Africa's, Niger . U.S

The new market-based pricing system will also encourage distributors like ENN and China Gas that are expanding into global gas trading to look at importing LNG. "The policy will help the whole (gas) distribution sector and restore utilities' profitability," said Tan Yuwei, general manager of capital management at China Gas Holdings. Shares for listed gas utility companies briefly reversed this year's trend downwards after the policy was announced, but they remain under pressure from lacklustre industrial demand and China's struggling economy. China in recent years has liberalized natural gas prices by allowing distributors to pass costs on to industrial and commercial customers, although Beijing maintained tight control over household prices to avoid a consumer backlash. "This policy reform will result in more reasonable downstream gas prices in China, which will encourage city gas utilities to increase purchases from upstream importers," said Yi Cui, an analyst with consultancy Rystad Energy, referring to Chinese national oil companies.

Persons: COVID, Tan Yuwei, Tan, Yi Cui, Chen Aizhu, Emily Chow, Andrew Hayley, Tom Hogue Organizations: ENN Energy Holdings, HK, China Gas Holdings, China Resources Gas, Shanghai Gas, Chongqing Gas, Changchun Gas, China Gas, National Development, Reform Commission, China Gas Association, Rystad Energy, Beijing, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, BEIJING, China, Changchun, Qingdao, Nanjing, Shijiangzhuang, Lanzhou, Hubei, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Beijing, Hebei, Singapore

And earlier this week, Russia targeted a Ukrainian port on the Danube River near NATO ally Romania. Now, Russia’s defense ministry has warned that ships sailing to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports will be viewed as military targets. Two thirds of the wheat that left Ukraine via the Black Sea ports went to developing countries, said Power. Russian drones attacked Ukraine's port infrastructure on the Danube river, targeting Ukrainian grain stocks and destroying storage hangars, the Ukrainian Army said. “We believe its targeting might also include attacks against civilian shipping in the Black Sea.

Persons: Barbara Woodward, Moscow’s, United Nations Linda, Thomas Greenfield, “, ”, Samantha Power, Antony Blinken, António Guterres, Bulgaria –, Power, Kees Huizinga, Huizinga, ” Katherine Brucker Organizations: CNN, United Nations, NATO, European, US Agency for International Development, UN, Romania, European Commission, Aspen Security, AP, U.S . Agency for International, Biden, Ukrainian Army, Ukraine Operational Command, European Union, Organization for Security, Cooperation Locations: Ukraine, United, Russia, Odesa, Ukrainian, Turkey, Kerch, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, West, United States, Europe

LONDON/JOHANNESBURG, July 25 (Reuters) - Gabon launched what is set to be Africa's first debt-for-nature swap on Tuesday, with a plan to buy up at least $450 million of its government debt and switch it to an eco-friendly blue bond. The February 2031 maturity rose 2.203 cents to 83.702 cents and November 2031 maturity jumped 2.129 cents to 83.573 cents, compared to Gabonese government's offer to buy back the bonds for 85 cents per $1 of the bond. ,The 2025 maturity rose 1.194 cents to 95.4 cents, also still below the offer price of 96.75 cents.. Ecuador pulled off a record $1.1 billion debt-for-nature swap in May, freeing up $18 million annually for the next 20 years for conservation of the Galapagos Islands. The African Development Bank and European Investment Bank are interested in providing credit guarantees.

Persons: Marc Jones, Rachel Savage, Gerauds Wilfried Obangome, Karin Strohecker, Ed Osmond, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: London Stock Exchange, Republic, Industry, U.S . International Development Finance Corporation, African Development Bank, European Investment Bank, Bank of America, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, Gabon, Gabonese, Ecuador, Belize, Galapagos, Sri Lanka, Indian, Libreville

☆ China's state planner unveils steps to spur private investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, July 24 (Reuters) - China's state planner on Monday unveiled measures that seek to promote, encourage and spur private investment in some infrastructure sectors and said it will strengthen financing support for private projects. In the guidelines released last week, China said it will create a "traffic light" system to make clear the areas in which private investors are able to invest. "Significance of improving private investment should be fully recognised" and the NDRC will strive to keep the proportion of private fixed-asset investment among all investment at a "reasonable level," the statement said. Private fixed-asset investment shrank by 0.2% in the first six months from a year earlier, in contrast to an 8.1% rise in investment by state entities, official data showed last week, highlighting weak private sector confidence. A special fund from central government budget will be set up by the NDRC to give annual support for 20 cities with high private investment growth and strong policy implementation, the statement said.

Persons: NDRC, Ellen Zhang, Bernard Orr, Kim Coghill Organizations: Communist Party, National Development, Reform Commission, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China

☆ China vows to 'adjust and optimize' property policy in 'tortuous' economic recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The post-pandemic economic recovery will proceed in a "wave-like" fashion in a "tortuous" process, it added. On Tuesday, Hong Kong and mainland China stock markets cheered the Politburo's policy pledges, outperforming broader Asia-Pacific benchmarks. The Chinese property sector saw some of the strongest percentage gains in Hong Kong, with developer Country Garden rebounding more than 14% from a nine-month low. By some calculations, the country's property sector still accounts for up to a quarter of China's annual economic activity. Expanding domestic demandLate Monday, China's top leaders pledged to "actively expand domestic demand" and to "expand consumption by raising income levels."

Persons: Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, China Vanke, Goldman Sachs, China's, Julian Evans, Pritchard Organizations: Getty, Communist, Xinhua, Barclays, Index, CSI, Longfor, China Overseas, Observers, Citi, People's Bank, China's, National, Capital Economics Locations: China, Hong Kong, outperforming, Asia

☆ China has announced a slew of measures to bolster its economy. Here's what we know so far
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Here are some of the key measures released by the Chinese government in recent weeks. Private businessesOn Monday, China's economic planning agency announced a series of measures to promote private investment. Julian Evans-Pritchard Capital EconomicsThe NDRC said it will support private investment in sectors — such as transportation, water conservancy, clean energy, new infrastructure, advanced manufacturing and modern agriculture facilities. The agency is also encouraging private investment projects to issue real estate investment trusts (REITS) in the infrastructure sector to promote asset diversification and further broaden investment and financing channels for private investment. Business sentiment has generally soured amid lackluster economic growth after China's initial recovery following its exit from "zero Covid" faltered.

Persons: Julian Evans, Pritchard Organizations: Afp, Getty, China, Private, Communist Party, National Development, Reform, Pritchard Capital, People's Bank of China, State Administration of Foreign Exchange, China Economics, Capital Economics, Household, Commerce Locations: China, Beijing, Shanghai

☆ Opinion | What I Learned in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Bret Stephens | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

I learned that every member of the American Embassy staff in Kyiv, led by our courageous and cleareyed ambassador, Bridget Brink, volunteered for the duty. I learned what it was like to sit in conference rooms and walk along corridors that would soon be shattered by Russian ordnance. I learned that Ukrainians have no interest in turning their victimization into an identity. I learned that, for all the aid we’ve given Ukraine, we are the true beneficiaries in the relationship, and they the true benefactors. NATO countries are paying for their long-term security in money, which is cheap, and munitions, which are replaceable.

Persons: Bridget Brink, general’s, Samantha Power, Power, Anatoliy Fedoruk, ”, aren’t, Ben Wallace, Britain’s Organizations: American Embassy, Marshall, United States Agency for International Development, Port Authority, Serbian, NATO Locations: Kyiv, Odesa, Belgrade, Kosovo, Bucha, Moscow, Budapest, Russia, Minsk, Ukraine

☆ China announces steps to boost sales of cars, electronics
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO-People enter the SEG E-Market at Huaqiangbei electronics market in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China June 8, 2023. REUTERS/David Kirton/File PhotoBEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese authorities announced a raft of measures on Friday to help boost sales of automobiles and electronics, and warned local governments from rolling out policies that would fuel vicious competition, as they seek to shore up a slowing economy. As China’s post-pandemic economic recovery slows, policymakers have identified the country’s automobile sector as a key lever which they want to use to shore up growth. In June, they unexpectedly extended a purchase tax break on new energy vehicles (NEVs) until 2027. A separate statement on supporting sales of electronics products said authorities would encourage scientific research institutes and market entities to actively apply domestic artificial intelligence (AI) technology to improve intelligence levels of electronic products.

Persons: David Kirton, Tesla Organizations: SEG, REUTERS, National Development, Reform Locations: Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, BEIJING, Regions

☆ China's steps to boost sales of cars, electronics disappoint market
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FILE PHOTO-People enter the SEG E-Market at Huaqiangbei electronics market in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China June 8, 2023. REUTERS/David Kirton/File PhotoBEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese authorities announced measures on Friday intended to help boost sales of automobiles and electronics with the goal of shoring up a sluggish economy, but the steps failed to impress investors who have been clamouring for stronger stimulus. The Friday statement aimed at encouraging automobile consumption echoed this. “These supports will unlikely significantly boost consumption when people are still generally reluctant to spend as they lack confidence in the economic recovery,” UBS said in a note on Friday. Investors have said they are disappointed by China’s weak second quarter growth and want to see stronger stimulus, with some pinning their hopes on the Politburo meeting later this month.

Persons: David Kirton, Tesla, ”, China’s Organizations: SEG, REUTERS, National Development, Reform, ” UBS Locations: Shenzhen, Guangdong province, China, BEIJING

☆ China announces steps to boost sales of cars and electronics
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Employees work on the assembly line of new energy vehicles (NEVs) at a workshop of China FAW Group's Hongqi Fanrong Plant on July 5, 2023 in Changchun, Jilin Province of China. Chinese authorities announced measures on Friday intended to help boost sales of automobiles and electronics with the goal of shoring up a sluggish economy, but the steps failed to impress investors who have been clamoring for stronger stimulus. In June, they unexpectedly extended a purchase tax break on new energy vehicles until 2027. A separate statement on supporting sales of electronics products said authorities would encourage scientific research institutes and market entities to actively apply domestic artificial intelligence technology to improve intelligence levels of electronic products. Investors have said they are disappointed by China's weak second quarter growth and want to see stronger stimulus, with some pinning their hopes on the Politburo meeting later this month.

Persons: Tesla, China's Organizations: China FAW Group's Hongqi, National Development, Reform Locations: Changchun, Jilin Province, China

The audit has not changed the U.S. Treasury's view that the bank must make reforms before the department will support disbursements from the Afghan Fund to Da Afghanistan Bank, or DAB, as the central bank is known, said a U.S. Treasury official on condition of anonymity. It also must prove that it has "adequate" controls against money-laundering and terrorism financing and install a "reputable" independent monitor, said the Treasury official. A Taliban administration spokesman and a spokesperson for the Afghan central bank did not respond to request for comment. Afghanistan remains mired in grave humanitarian and economic crises that some experts say has been worsened by U.S. restrictions hampering DAB's ability to perform key central bank functions, such as ensuring stable exchange rates and prices. Calling the audit a "preliminary assessment," the Treasury official said its "limitations" suggested that "more comprehensive third-party assessment efforts may be needed."

Persons: ”, disbursements, Shah Mehrabi, Mehrabi, Anwar ul, Haq Ahady, Jonathan Landay, Charlotte Greenfield, Don Durfee Organizations: U.S ., Afghan, Da, Da Afghanistan Bank, Treasury, Federal Reserve Bank of New, DAB, U.S . Agency for International Development, USAID, U.S, Afghan Fund, State Department, The State Department, Reuters, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, ISLAMABAD, U.S, Da Afghanistan, Swiss, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Afghan, Washington, United States, Afghanistan, American

☆ China says two policies to support business coming soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A view of high-rise buildings is seen along the Suzhou Creek in Shanghai, China on July 5, 2023. BEIJING — China's economic planner said Thursday that two new policies for supporting non-state-owned businesses will be launched soon. While it did not specify a date, the policy plans come a day after China's top party and government leadership announced lengthy "opinions" on supporting non-state-owned businesses. Business sentiment has generally soured amid lackluster economic growth after China's initial recovery from the pandemic. The two forthcoming policies will focus on promoting business investment and their overall development, Li Chunlin, deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, said in Mandarin, translated by CNBC.

Persons: Li Chunlin Organizations: National Development, Reform, CNBC Locations: Suzhou, Shanghai, China, BEIJING, Beijing

☆ Ukrainian air defenses in Odesa outgunned as Russia targets global grain supply
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Ivana Kottasová Olga Voitovich Mick Krever Alex Marquardt Scott Mcwhinnie Sebastian Shukla | Ivana Kottasová | Olga Voitovich | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine’s Air Force said it destroyed just five of 19 Russian cruise missiles fired at the country overnight into Thursday. “Systems such as Patriot or SAMP-T could provide protection for this region.”Ukraine has received at least two Patriot systems in April, one from the United States and one from Germany. Grain infrastructure targetedMoscow launched an intense campaign of bombardment against Odesa, Mykolaiv and other settlements in southern Ukraine on Monday when Ukraine struck the key Crimea bridge. Moscow announced on Monday that it was suspending its participation in an agreement that allowed the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. “Not only they withdraw from the grain agreement in order to export grain from Ukraine, but they are burning the grain.

Persons: That’s, Oleh Kiper, Yurii Ihnat, ”, hasn’t, Volodymyr Zelensky, Samantha Power, Putin, Power, Josep Borrell, ” Borrell Organizations: Kyiv CNN —, Ukraine’s Air Force, CNN, Firefighters, Air Force Command, Ukraine’s Armed Forces, “ Systems, Ukraine’s, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Patriot, Monday, Russia’s Defense Ministry, Moscow, U.S . Agency for International Development Locations: Kyiv, Kyiv CNN — Ukraine, Odesa, Moscow, Russian, Ukraine, United States, Germany, Mykolaiv, Crimea, Russia, Africa, Asia

☆ World Bank chief Banga unveils new plans to boost lending 'firepower'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 18 (Reuters) - World Bank President Ajay Banga unveiled new plans on Tuesday to stretch the bank's balance sheet and help countries tackle climate change and other challenges, but said a capital increase would still eventually be needed. The new steps, still being discussed with shareholder countries, come on top of initial steps approved in April that will boost World Bank lending by up to $50 billion over the next decade. "We are building a better bank, but eventually we will need a bigger bank." It proposes to absorb more risk and expand lending by widening conditions for callable capital - money pledged by governments but not currently "paid-in." And it plans to expand very low or zero-interest lending, including through a new $6 billion crisis facility set up for the poorest countries through the International Development Association.

Persons: Ajay Banga, Banga, David Malpass, Janet Yellen, Andrea Shalal, Sonali Paul Organizations: Mastercard, World Bank, Bank, Treasury, International Development Association, Thomson Locations: Banga, Gandhinagar, India, U.S

[1/5] A worker sweeps a street in the Central Business District on a rainy day in Beijing, China, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas PeterBEIJING, July 18 (Reuters) - China is entering an era of much slower economic growth, raising a daunting prospect: it may never get rich. He expects growth to slow to 3%, which "will feel like an economic recession" when youth unemployment is already above 20%. The April-June data puts 2023 growth on track for roughly 5%, with slower rates thereafter. But China's annual growth averaged around 7% last decade, and more than 10% in the 2000s.

Persons: Thomas Peter BEIJING, Desmond Lachman, year's, Wang Jun, Zheng Shanjie, Zheng, Richard Koo, Juan Orts, Xi Jinping's, Zhao, Cai Fang, Zhu Ning, Koo, Liangping Gao, Ellen Zhang, Ziyi Tang, Kevin Yao, Joe Cash, Marius Zaharia, David Crawshaw Organizations: Central Business District, REUTERS, American Enterprise Institute, Reuters, Communist, Huatai Asset Management, Reform Commission, Overseas, Nomura Research Institute, Fathom Consulting, Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Japan, United States, Young, Africa, Latin, U.S, Central

☆ China vows to 'restore and expand' consumption to boost growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

China's top economic state planner vowed Tuesday to "restore and expand" consumption in a wide-ranging plan to bolster growth in the world's second-largest economyChina's top economic state planner vowed Tuesday to "restore and expand" consumption in a wide-ranging plan to bolster growth that includes boosting household income, improving business environment for private firms and stabilizing youth employment. "Consumer purchasing power and expectations are relatively weak, while consumption infrastructure and environment need to be improved," Jin added. On Monday, a raft of weaker-than-expected economic data provided more basis for market watchers to renew calls for policy support to bolster growth. "We will promptly formulate and introduce policies to restore and expand consumption, and issue policies to stabilize large scale consumption, promote the consumption of automobile and electronic products, expand rural consumption, and optimize the consumption environment" Jin added. Within hours, Commerce Ministry followed with an announcement of an 11-point plan to boost the domestic consumption of household consumer goods and services.

Persons: China's, Jin Xiandong, Jin Organizations: National Development, Reform, CNBC, Consumer, Commerce Locations: Beijing, Shanghai

☆ Indian opposition parties form alliance called "INDIA" for 2024 elections
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/2] India's main opposition Congress party’s leader Rahul Gandhi holds a news conference, after he was disqualified as a lawmaker by India's parliament on Friday, at party’s headquarter in New Delhi, India, March 25, 2023. REUTERS/ Anushree Fadnavis/file photoNEW DELHI, July 18 (Reuters) - More than two dozen Indian opposition parties said on Tuesday that they had joined hands to form an alliance called "INDIA" to take on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in parliamentary elections next year. The decision was announced at the end of a two-day meeting of 26 parties in the southern city of Bengaluru. Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the main opposition Congress party, said INDIA stood for "Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance". Reporting by YP Rajesh; editing by Tanvi MehtaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Rahul Gandhi, Anushree, Narendra Modi's, Mallikarjun Kharge, YP Rajesh, Tanvi Mehta Organizations: REUTERS, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, INDIA, Developmental, YP, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, Bengaluru, Mallikarjun

☆ China takes major step in regulating generative AI services like ChatGPT
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

China also urges platforms to “participate in the formulation of international rules and standards” related to generative AI, it said. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT have taken the world by storm. Generative AI refers to the technology that underpins platforms like ChatGPT. In the global race to build guardrails for how governments tap AI, China had gained a significant head start, US Senator Mark Warner warned last month. So far, Baidu, Alibaba and JD.com’s generative AI services are either in the trial stage or being tested by corporate users.

Persons: —, Olivier Morin, Mark Warner, ” Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Cyberspace Administration, Ant, Baidu, Getty, China, Politico’s Global Tech Summit ., ” Citi, National Development, Reform Commission Locations: Hong Kong, China, Beijing, AFP, United States

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