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☆ As North Korea, Iran and China support Russia’s war, is a ‘new axis’ emerging?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-24 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The remains of an unidentified missile, which Ukrainian authorities claimed to be made in North Korea, is seen at a site of a Russian strike in Kharkiv, Ukraine on January 2. China, Russia and Iran have also held four joint naval drills since 2019, and China is by far Iran’s largest energy buyer. Beijing also carefully manages its relationship with North Korea – which is almost wholly economically and diplomatically dependent on China. “Russia, North Korea, Iran is the type of grouping that China least wants to openly associate itself with,” said Tong Zhao, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. An Iranian military boat patrols ahead of the start of a joint naval drill of Iran, Russia and China in the Indian Ocean in May.

Persons: They’ve, Lloyd Austin, George W, Bush’s, ”, Kim Jong, Kim, there’s, what’s, Bashar al, Assad, Israel –, Xi Jinping, Putin, Alex Gabuev, Sofiia Gatilova, Xi, Loup, “, Tong Zhao, Zhao, Sydney Seiler Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Korean, Moscow’s, US, North, West, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, China’s, National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Iranian Army, AP, UN, National Defense Strategy, NATO, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Hong Kong, Russia, Ukraine, United States, Tehran, China, Iran, North Korea, Washington, Europe, Pacific, Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Imperial Japan, Iraq, South Korea, Pyongyang, Syria, Beijing, Moscow, Berlin, Kharkiv, Kazan, Israel, Jean, South, Taiwan, “ Russia, ”, Iranian, Asia, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, North Asia, Sydney

☆ As confidence in China revives, the hope is that consumption will also pick up, CIO says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAs confidence in China revives, the hope is that consumption will also pick up, CIO saysRaymond Cheng, Chief Investment Officer of North Asia at Standard Chartered Wealth Solutions, discusses the latest market news on China.

Persons: Raymond Cheng Organizations: Standard Chartered Wealth Solutions Locations: China, Asia

☆ Asia markets open higher after China weekend briefing hints at more stimulus; economic data in focus
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-14 | by ( Anniek Bao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

"China's growth recovery and north Asia's earnings rebound in 2024 remain our key investment themes and overweight areas," Goldman Sachs' strategists, led by Timothy Moe, wrote in a Saturday note. Asia-Pacific markets opened higher Monday, as investors assessed China's weekend press briefing and awaited a slew of economic data this week from the region. Both metrics missed expectations of economists polled by Reuters, who estimated CPI to rise 0.6% and PPI to decline 2.5%. China is set to release its trade data for September on Monday, with exports expected to rise 6%, a slower growth than 8.7% in August, while imports are estimated to grow 0.9%, compared to 0.5% in August. China watchers also look ahead to the week with a busy set of economic data, including China's third-quarter GDP, September industrial output growth, retail sales and unemployment rate.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Timothy Moe, Finance Lan Fo'an Organizations: China's, Finance, Reuters, PPI Locations: Asia, Pacific, China

☆ The US is sending less natural gas to Europe, complicating Europe's plans to cut off Russian gas
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-01 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewEurope has pledged to wean itself from Russian natural gas following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, but it's still buying the fuel. Europe's monthly imports of Russian liquefied natural gas — the supercooled version of natural gas that can be transported on ships — have been holding relatively steady, in the 850,000 to 1.6 million metric ton range, since the invasion of Ukraine, per Bloomberg records. This continued import of Russian fuel shows the complications of cutting off Russian gas completely in the global energy market. AdvertisementBefore the invasion, Europe imported over 40% of its natural gas from Russia — its single largest supplier and a major energy producer — mainly via pipelines. At the end of January, Europe imported 5.2 million tons of LNG from the US and just 1.5 million tons from Russia.

Persons: —, Masanori Odaka Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Business, Brookings, Reuters Locations: wean, Ukraine, Europe, Russia, Asia, North Asia, Japan

☆ Singapore Airlines: This airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months’ salary
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Heather Chen | Diksha Madhok | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Hong Kong/New Delhi CNN —Singapore Airlines is setting the bar high when it comes to bonus payouts. Singapore Airlines did not respond to a request for comment. The Singapore flag carrier was named the world’s best airline last year, according to the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards. Dubai’s Emirates will pay its staff a bonus equivalent to 20 weeks’ salary, Reuters reported this week, citing an internal email. However, the coming year could be difficult for the sector, Singapore Airlines said in its earnings statement.

Persons: Choon Phong Organizations: Hong Kong / New Delhi CNN — Singapore Airlines, CNN, Singapore Airlines, SIA, Emirates, Reuters Locations: Hong Kong / New Delhi, North Asia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore

☆ Ancient DNA reveals what famed Chinese Emperor Wu may have looked like
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Ancient DNA recovered from the remains of a sixth century Chinese emperor who ruled during the country’s dark ages has shed some light on what the leader may have looked like. Emperor Wu ruled China as part of the Northern Zhou dynasty from 560 to 580 and is credited with unifying the northern part of ancient China during a particularly chaotic period. “Our analysis shows Emperor Wu had typical East or Northeast Asian facial characteristics.”The authors said they hoped ancient DNA might shed light on Wu’s cause of death. The genetic analysis showed that Emperor Wu intermarried with ethnically Han Chinese, China’s dominant ethnic group today. “It’s interesting to see the genetic study, but none of the findings of this genetic study are surprising at all,” Miller said.

Persons: Emperor Wu, Wu, ”, Shaoqing Wen, Tobias Houlton, University of Dundee , Houlton, Jeong Hoongwon, Jeong, ” Jeong, Franks, Bryan Miller, Miller, wasn’t, ” Miller, “ Organizations: CNN, Fudan University, University of Dundee, Seoul National University’s School of Biological Sciences, Han, Central, University of Michigan Locations: China, Mongolia, Shanghai, Seoul, North

☆ Asia's tech industry is recovering on chip boom amid global economic uncertainty, JPMorgan says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Sheila Chiang | In Sheilachiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

SINGAPORE – Asia-Pacific's tech sector has been growing on the back of the semiconductor boom even as other industries struggle amid global macro uncertainty, according to investment bank JPMorgan. "Tech has been recovering, that's why Asia has done reasonably well in the second half of last year. China industry benefited, North Asia obviously benefited more from it," Bruce Kasman, chief economist at JPMorgan said in a media briefing on Tuesday. Global tech spending weakened in 2023 while layoffs rose, said Deloitte in a report on tech industry's 2024 outlook. The recovery in tech is significant as other industries are still struggling.

Persons: Bruce Kasman, Deloitte, Ong Sin Beng Organizations: JPMorgan, Tech, Global, Deloitte, Nvidia Locations: SINGAPORE – Asia, that's, Asia, China, North Asia, U.S

☆ Airplane safety has hit a new record. But these ‘critical phase’ challenges are still a problem
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Now in its 60th year, the IATA Annual Safety Report - compiled by the International Air Transport Association - has been tracking the evolution of commercial aviation safety since 1964. But despite this, 2023 had the lowest fatality risk and “all accident” rate on record. North America has maintained a fatality risk of zero since 2020, says IATA. Greg Lovett/The Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network/Sipa USAThe 2023 “all accident” rate was better than the year before in all regions except North America and Asia Pacific. Europe has maintained a fatality risk of zero since 2018.

Persons: hasn’t, ”, Willie Walsh, Greg Lovett, haven’t Organizations: CNN, Alaska Airlines, IATA, International Air Transport Association, Yeti Airlines, Regional, Palm Beach International, USA, Tokyo Haneda, Japan Airlines Locations: Nepal, Florida, North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, North Asia, Tokyo

☆ L'Oreal shares down 7% on lower-than-expected sales, slowdown in Asia
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON — L'Oreal shares fell more than 7.3% in early deals Friday, before slightly paring losses, as the company reported lower-than-expected sales and pointed to a slowdown in demand in Asia. The world's largest beauty brand on Thursday reported fourth-quarter sales below estimates, rising 2.8% to 10.6 billion euros. Barclays analysts had anticipated a figure near 10.9 billion euros, according to Reuters. The company also logged a 7.6% increase in 2023 full-year sales to 41.18 billion euros ($44.37 billion). The quarterly shortfall was led by activity in North Asia, including China, where sales fell 6.2% over the three-month period.

Organizations: LONDON, L'Oreal, Barclays, Reuters Locations: Asia, London, North Asia, China, Europe, North America

☆ Red Sea crisis could jeopardize inflation fight as shipping costs spike globally
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

In this article HLAG-DEMAERSK.B-DK Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTA ship transits the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea on January 10, 2024 in Ismailia, Egypt. Sayed Hassan | Getty ImagesU.S. shipping costs are spiking as attacks in the Red Sea disrupt global trade, raising fears that inflation might pick up again if the disruption persists. But the Red Sea crisis is now having a significant impact further afield with shipping costs between Asia and the U.S also spiking. Shipping rates from North Asia to the U.S. East Coast have jumped 137% to $5,100 for a 40-foot container from early October, according to S&P Global. JPMorgan told clients on Tuesday that the fight against inflation could stall in the coming months if shipping costs push the price of goods higher.

Persons: Sayed Hassan, John Kirby, Kirby, Biden, Chris Rogers, Mark Hopkins, we're, Hopkins, It's, Balika Sonthalia, Sonthalia Organizations: Getty, P Global Market Intelligence, P, U.S ., U.S . East Coast, U.S . West Coast, JPMorgan, Federal Reserve, . National Security, White, Moody's, CNBC, Kearney, The New, The New York Federal, HSBC Locations: Suez, Ismailia, Egypt, South Africa, Asia, Europe, North Asia, Israel, U.S, U.S . East, U.S . West, The New York, Panama

Snow covered transfer lines are seen at the Dominion Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Lusby, Maryland March 18, 2014. The November figure will also be a slight increase from the 21.41 million metric tons from the same month last year. India, Asia's fourth-biggest LNG buyer, is expected to import 1.3 million metric tons in November, down from 1.85 million in October. More U.S. LNG is also heading to Asia, with November imports slated at 1.97 million metric tons, up from 1.83 million in October. This leaves the spot price at the mercy of demand, and while there has been some uptick in both Asia and Europe, it hasn't been enough to drive spot prices higher.

Persons: Snow, Gary Cameron, Europe hasn't, Asia's, Diane Craft Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, world's, LNG, U.S, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lusby , Maryland, Rights LAUNCESTON, Australia, Asia, Europe, United States, October's, China, Japan, India, Russia, Ukraine, Qatar, U.S, Western Australia

☆ Singapore Airlines posts record half-year profit as air travel demand soars
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A Singapore Airlines plane is seen among the planes in the static display at the Singapore Airshow in Singapore, February 16, 2022. "The robust demand for air travel continued into the Northern Summer travel season, led by the rebound in passenger traffic to North Asia with the full reopening of China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, and Taiwan," the airline said in a statement. Singapore Airlines and its budget arm, Scoot, carried around 17.4 million passengers during the half-year, an increase of 52.3% year-on-year. The firm also intends to redeem 50% of the zero-coupon mandatory convertible bonds (MCBs) that it issued in June 2021 to support its balance sheet amid an almost total shutdown of air travel during the pandemic. ($1 = 1.3543 Singapore dollars)Reporting by Rishav Chatterjee and Nausheen Thusoo in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane VenkatramanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Caroline Chia, Rishav Chatterjee, Nausheen, Janane Organizations: Singapore Airlines, Singapore, REUTERS, Companies, India, Air India, India's Tata Group, Thomson Locations: Singapore, Asia, North Asia, China , Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Taiwan, Bengaluru

☆ L'Oreal sales up despite muted recovery in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Third quarter sales at L'Oreal rose 11.1%, led by growth in Europe and the United States but missing expectations for a strong rebound in China. In mainland China, where the beauty market is "broadly stable" despite a "muted recovery," the company said sales grew 7.7% and it continued to gain market share. China, where high youth unemployment and a property crisis have complicated the country's post-pandemic rebound, has been a key focus for investors. L'Oreal, which accounted for the biggest share of the country's $78.9 billion beauty and personal care market last year, has been gaining market share there in recent months, and its luxury division is the market leader in high end cosmetics. Reporting by Mimosa Spencer; Editing by Aurora EllisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Prada, Mimosa Spencer, Aurora Ellis Organizations: L'Oreal, Barclays, Thomson Locations: Europe, United States, China, The Paris, Lancome, North Asia

The usual seasonal pattern for the spot price is a rally heading into the northern winter and summer peak demand periods, followed by a lull in the shoulder seasons in between. This figure already exceeds the 20.22 million metric tons from October last year and is likely to be revised upwards as more cargoes are assessed. Demand in top importer Japan is still following the usual seasonal pattern, which generally sees soft arrivals in October followed by strength as the colder weather arrives. India's imports have been trending higher, with September arrivals of 2.15 million metric tons the most since October 2021. Europe's LNG imports are also showing signs of life, with Kpler estimating October arrivals at 8.58 million metric tons, up from 7.4 million in September.

Persons: Snow, Gary Cameron, Wheatstone, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Japan, LNG, El, Chevron, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lusby , Maryland, Rights LAUNCESTON, Australia, Asia, Ukraine, China, Japan, South Korea, Europe, EUROPE, El Nino, Western Australia, Israel, Persian, Qatar, United States

☆ Mongolian cricket takes step back as records tumble in loss to Nepal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Ian Ransom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HANGZHOU, China, Sept 27 (Reuters) - The windswept nation of Mongolia has rarely been known for cricket but now has a place in the record books after suffering the biggest defeat in T20 internationals through a 273-run hiding by Nepal at the Asian Games on Wednesday. His batting partner Dipendra Singh Airee also came off with the record for the fastest fifty in T20 internationals, reaching the milestone in nine balls in his unbeaten 52 which included eight sixes. Mongolia were dismissed for 41, the biggest contribution from 23 extras, including 16 wides by the Nepali bowlers. The north Asians will have a chance to atone when they play the Maldives in their second match on Thursday. Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kushal Malla, strode, South Africa's David Miller, India's Rohit Sharma, Wickramasekara, Dipendra Singh Airee, Mongolia's, Sandeep Lamichhane, Ian Ransom, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Asian Games, Zhejiang University of Technology, South, Thomson Locations: HANGZHOU, China, Mongolia, Nepal, Hangzhou, Czech, Afghanistan, Ireland, West Indies, South Africa, Maldives

"We've certainly seen Australia's reputation being affected as some existing buyers expressed interest in diversifying their suppliers for long-term supply," said Ryhana Rasidi, LNG analyst at analytics firm Kpler. "Australia is the closest gas supplier we can get. By far, Australia, U.S. and Qatar are the three pillars in LNG supply chain. As well as its political stability, its proximity to Asia might be Australia's saving grace, industry analysts say. "Ties are very strong between North Asia and Australia as a legacy supplier, so many participants are keen to continue the relationship," said Kaushal Ramesh, LNG analyst at Rystad Energy.

Persons: Inpex, Resources Madeleine King, We've, Ryhana, Jane Liao, Kaushal Ramesh, Emily Chow, Yuka Obayashi, Muyu Xu, Andrew Hayley, Joyce Lee, Lewis Jackson, Florence Tan Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Rights, Workers, Japan's Kyushu Electric Power, Chevron's, Woodside Energy, West Shelf, South, Resources, Taiwan, Tohoku Electric Power, Kyushu Electric Power, Osaka Gas, Rystad Energy, Thomson Locations: Chevron, Barrow Island, Australia, Rights SINGAPORE, TOKYO, Qatar, United States, Western Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, Oman, U.S, Asia, Singapore, Tokyo, Beijing, Seoul, Sydney

☆ Biden’s Success in North Asia . . .
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-success-in-north-asia-japan-south-korea-ccp-china-military-aid-trilateral-summit-12ad6081

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: asia, japan, korea, ccp

☆ William Pesek discusses trilateral summit of U.S., Japan, South Korea
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailU.S. solidifying its presence in North Asia at a time when China doesn't have the bandwidth: AuthorWilliam Pesek, author of "Japanization: What the World Can Learn from Japan's Lost Decades," discusses the trilateral summit of the United States, Japan and South Korea in relation to the economic headwinds that China is facing.

Persons: China doesn't, William Pesek Locations: North Asia, China, United States, Japan, South Korea

It's likely that workers at the Chevron (CVX.N) plants will join their Woodside colleagues in authorising industrial action, which could then be launched with a seven-day notice period. The worst-case scenario is that industrial action is prolonged and forces a total shutdown of the three plants. The most likely outcome for the time being remains limited industrial action, ongoing negotiations and an eventual settlement that sees the unions get some of what they want, most likely in exchange for some longer-term guarantees. LNG imports by Asia, Europe vs spot Asia priceASIA IMPORTS RISINGAsia's imports for August are expected to lift to 22.86 million metric tons, according to data compiled by commodity analysts Kpler. This would be up from 21.61 million metric tons in July and would be the strongest month since January's 23.37 million.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, It's, Europe's, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Woodside Energy, West, Offshore Alliance, Chevron, Woodside, Kpler, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Rights LAUNCESTON, Australia, Woodside, Western Australia, Asia, Europe, North Asia, ASIA, Japan, South Korea, South, Russia, Ukraine

A general view shows a special ship, "Neptune", the floating liquefied natural gas terminal, during the inauguration of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal 'Deutsche Ostsee' in the port of Lubmin, Germany January 14, 2023. REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File PhotoLAUNCESTON, Australia, Aug 14 (Reuters) - The comfort that had characterised natural gas markets in Asia and Europe in recent months was shown to be a mere illusion by the threat of strike action at three major Australian liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants. Benchmark Dutch natural gas prices jumped 28.3% from the close on Aug. 8 to the finish on Aug. 10 as reports of the looming strike action spooked the market. Woodside and Chevron are engaging in talks with labour unions at the LNG facilities, and it's not yet clear what form any strike action would take, assuming no agreement can be reached. Europe's LNG imports in contrast have been trending lower as the continent's natural gas storages remained elevated and demand shifts structurally lower as countries move to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Persons: Annegret, Tom Hogue Organizations: REUTERS, Woodside Energy, Chevron, West Shelf, Benchmark, South Korea, China, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Lubmin, Germany, LAUNCESTON, Australia, Asia, Europe, Western Australia, North Asia, Woodside, Chevron, Ukraine, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, United States

☆ Most stock markets in Gulf track oil prices higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Ateeq Shariff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

An investor monitors a screen displaying stock information at the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange June 25, 2014./File PhotoAug 13 (Reuters) - Most stock markets in the Gulf ended higher on Sunday in the wake of Friday's rise in oil prices, with the Saudi index gaining for a third consecutive session. Oil prices - a key catalyst for the Gulf's financial markets - edged higher on Friday after the International Energy Agency forecast record global demand and tightening supplies, propelling prices to their seventh straight week of gains, the longest such streak since 2022. Prospects for the oil market look healthy for the second half of the year, OPEC said. Saudi Arabia's benchmark index (.TASI) advanced 1.1%, rising for a third consecutive session, led by a 1.6% leap in oil giant Saudi Aramco (2222.SE). In Qatar, the index (.QSI) added 0.4%, with petrochemical maker Industries Qatar (IQCD.QA) putting on 0.8%.

Persons: Ateeq, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Abu, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, International Energy Agency, Organization of, Petroleum, Saudi, Saudi Aramco, Aramco, Industries Qatar, Thomson Locations: Abu Dhabi, Saudi, North Asia, Qatar, Egypt, Ateeq Shariff, Bengaluru

Russia remained the top supplier to China, with pipeline and seaborne arrivals of 2.04 million bpd in July, which was down from June's 2.56 million bpd. However, it was still enough to exceed imports from Saudi Arabia, which Refinitiv estimated at 1.82 million bpd in July, down from 1.94 million bpd in June. It's also worth noting that much of the strength in China's crude imports is because of massive inflows into commercial or strategic storages. India's refiners continue to gorge on discounted Russian crude, with arrivals in July estimated at an all-time high of 2.08 million bpd. Japan's July oil imports are estimated at 2.49 million bpd, up from June's 2.11 million bpd, while South Korea's are put at 2.76 million bpd, up from 2.53 million bpd in June.

Persons: Amit Dave LAUNCESTON, It's, China doesn't, India's refiners, Brent, Clyde Russell, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, Refinitiv Oil Research, Brent, OPEC, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Vadinar, Gujarat, India, Australia, China, Asia, Russia, June's, Saudi Arabia, OPEC, Angola, Oman, East, Iraq, Moscow, South, North Asia

Asia's imports of the super-chilled fuel were estimated at 21.85 million metric tons in July by commodity analysts Kpler, up from June's 21.28 million and the most since January. Europe's imports were estimated at 8.72 million metric tons in July, down from June's 9.06 million and lowest monthly total since August last year. The Kpler data point to an increase of just 570,000 metric tons in Asia's imports in July, while Europe saw a drop of 340,000. Among Asia's major importers, China's demand remains muted with Kpler estimating July arrivals at 5.88 million metric tons, down from 6.20 million in June. South Korea, the world's third-biggest LNG buyer, saw July imports of 2.81 million metric tons, a small decline from June's 2.92 million.

Persons: Robert Birsel Organizations: LNG, Europe's, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LAUNCESTON, Australia, Europe, June's, Asia, Ukraine, Japan, China, South Korea, India, U.S, United States, Europe's U.S

SEOUL/SHANGHAI, July 31 (Reuters) - Chinese battery materials firms are ramping up investment in South Korea, announcing projects worth at least $4.4 billion this year to try to meet U.S. electric vehicle (EV) tax credit rules aimed at lowering reliance on China's supply chains. The IRA, designed to wean the U.S. off the Chinese supply chain for electric vehicles (EVs), will also eventually bar tax credits if any EV battery components were manufactured by a "foreign entity of concern", a provision aimed at China. South Korea has a free-trade agreement with the United States that would likely make batteries manufactured in the North Asian nation and later installed in U.S.-manufactured electric cars eligible for the federal tax credits. SK On and its supplier EcoPro Co (086520.KQ) also announced a joint venture with China's Green Eco Manufacture to make battery precursors in South Korea. POSCO Holdings (005490.KS) said last month it would cooperate with China's CNGR Advanced Material (300919.SZ) on nickel refining and precursor production in South Korea.

Persons: Kang Dong, hasn't, China's, 1,274.0000, Heekyong Yang, Zoey Zhang, Miyoung Kim, Tom Hogue Organizations: SK, U.S, Hyundai Motor Securities, China JV, U.S . Treasury Department, South, New Energy Technology, Reuters, Zhejiang, LG Chem, LG Energy, EcoPro, China's, POSCO Holdings, LG, Samsung SDI, EV, Thomson Locations: SEOUL, SHANGHAI, South Korea, United States, China, U.S, Korea, Ningbo, Seoul, South Korean, Korean, KS, Shanghai

China, the world's second-biggest LNG buyer, is estimated to have imported 5.96 million metric tons of the super-chilled fuel in June, according to data compiled by Refinitiv. While Asia's overall LNG imports are showing a relatively steady picture, Europe's have been trending lower amid ample stockpiles of natural gas. Europe imported 9.50 million metric tons in June, the lowest monthly total since August and down from 12.11 million in May, according to Refinitiv. Asia's imports of U.S. LNG rose to 1.34 million metric tons in June, the most since February and up from 1.21 million in May. In contrast, Europe's imports of U.S. LNG dropped to 4.15 million metric tons in June, the least since September and down from 5.63 million tons in May.

Persons: Refinitiv, Brent, Robert Birsel Organizations: LNG, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LAUNCESTON, Australia, China, Asia, Ukraine, Europe, ASIA, EUROPE, Refinitiv, Japan, South Korea, India, United States, U.S

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