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☆ China censors COVID-related content online as New Year's Eve prompts reflection by some
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Eduardo Baptista | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

BEIJING, Dec 31 (Reuters) - New Year's Eve in China prompted an outpouring of reflection online, some of it critical, about the strict zero-COVID policy the country adhered to for almost three years. One Weibo hashtag about the video garnered almost 4 million hits before it disappeared from platforms around noon on Saturday. China has massively reduced its reporting of nationwide figures on COVID-19 infections. Cumulative infections in China likely reached 18.6 million in December, UK-based health data firm Airfinity estimated on Thursday. The infections have prompted international concern, particularly regarding the possibility of a new, stronger variant emerging out of China.

[1/2] Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., December 7, 2022. In currencies, the dollar, a beneficiary of rising U.S. interest rates, fell on the day but was on track for a 2022 gain of roughly 8%, its biggest annual increase since 2015. The U.S. U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose on Friday and closed out the trading year with its biggest annual increase in decades, pushed higher by aggressive Fed rate hikes. U.S. crude oil futures registered a second straight annual gain after a wildly volatile year marked by tight supplies due to the Ukraine war and then sliding demand from China, the world's top crude importer. Gold was showing its biggest quarterly gain since June 2020, while the Fed's fast-paced tightening cycle had tempered bullion's progress for the full year.

[1/2] Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., December 7, 2022. The dollar, a beneficiary of rising U.S. interest rates, was down slightly on Friday but on track for a 2022 gain of 8%, its biggest annual percentage increase since 2015. The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield rose on the day and was poised to close out the trading year with its biggest annual increase in decades, pushed higher by aggressive Fed rate hikes. In stocks, battered growth stocks and Nasdaq leading declines dragged Wall Street's main indexes lower. The dollar index fell 0.173%, with the euro up 0.12% to $1.0674.

With liquidity lower due to holidays, the dollar index was down around 0.3% on the day at 103.720 . "But for the near-term outlook we’re looking for some more performance in the euro versus the dollar." The euro was up 0.2% on the day at $1.0681 , on track for a 6.2% annual loss versus the dollar, compared to last year's 7% drop. The British pound was down 0.1%, set for a 11% annual drop . Still, it was set for an 8.6% annual drop, hurt by dollar strength and a domestic economic slowdown.

The dollar, a beneficiary of rising U.S. interest rates, was on track for its best annual performance in seven years. The dollar index , which measures the greenback against six major currencies, fell 0.4% to a two-week low. Sterling was set for its worst performance against the dollar since 2016, when Britain voted to leave the European Union. U.S. Treasuries and German bonds, the benchmarks of global borrowing markets, lost 16% and 24% respectively in dollar terms this year as rates rose. Ten-year German Bund yields rose 4 bps to 2.51% and two-year yields hit their highest since 2008 after data showing Spanish core inflation rose in December.

Summary U.S. dollar up 8.6% so far in 2022Euro set for 6.2% annual lossLONDON/SINGAPORE, Dec 30 (Reuters) - The dollar was on track for its biggest annual gain since 2015 on Friday, in the last trading day of a year dominated by Federal Reserve rate hikes and fears of a sharp slowdown in global growth. In thin trading, the dollar index was down around 0.1% on the day at 103.900 . The euro was flat on the day at $1.066 , on track for a 6.2% annual loss versus the dollar, compared to last year's 7% drop. The Bank of Japan's ultra-dovish stance has seen the dollar gain 14.5% versus the yen so far this year, in the yen's worst performance since 2013. The onshore yuan was set for its worst annual performance in 28 years, hurt by dollar strength and a domestic economic slowdown.

The dollar, a beneficiary of rising U.S. interest rates, was on track for its best annual performance in seven years. The dollar index , which measures the greenback against six major currencies, dipped 0.16%. Sterling was set for its worst performance against the dollar since 2016, when Britain voted to leave the European Union. "Averting a downturn is a tall order," said Vishnu Varathan, head of economics and strategy at Mizuho Bank, noting that the odds are stacked against economies emerging unscathed from global policy tightening. U.S. Treasuries and German bonds, the benchmarks of global borrowing markets, lost 16% and 24% respectively in dollar terms this year.

☆ Dollar powers through, eyes best year since 2015
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. dollar index , which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, has surged more than 8% this year, the most since 2015. "I expect the king dollar to lose its crown and the dollar to make a more decisive turn by the middle of next year," Bank of Singapore currency strategist Moh Siong Sim said. It has fallen more than 13% year to date, its worst performance since 2013. The single currency had dipped below parity against the dollar earlier this year for the first time in almost two decades. The kiwi , which has fallen more than 7% year to date, the worst since 2015, slipped 0.31% to $0.6330.

☆ Asia stocks gain as investors find foothold at end of brutal 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) rose 0.71%, but is set to end the year down 19% - its worst performance since 2008. Reuters GraphicsFutures indicated European stocks were unlikely to retain the end-of-year cheer, with the Eurostoxx 50 futures down 0.16%, German DAX futures 0.13% lower and FTSE futures down 0.01%. China's blue-chip CSI 300 Index (.CSI300) and the Shanghai Composite Index (.SSEC) were both up 0.6%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (.HSI) rose nearly 1%. In the currency market, the U.S. dollar was on track for its best annual performance in seven years. Sterling was set for its worst performance against the dollar since 2016, when the UK voted to leave the European Union.

[1/2] A Hainan Airlines aircraft is seen at Beijing Capital International Airport, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Beijing, China December 27, 2022. About 62% of tickets to and from China were sold by Chinese carriers and 38% by foreign carriers in 2019, ForwardKeys data shows, reflecting the strong outbound market dominating traffic flows. "Foreign airlines don't have that flexibility and it will be hard for them to forecast and project how fast demand returns on their China routes," he added. Many foreign carriers also retired large numbers of widebody planes during the pandemic and have struggled to add capacity even before China opened. TIMING OF REBOUNDThe Chinese travel industry had expected a border opening around March and was not prepared for the Jan. 8 date, according to a research note from Tianfeng Securities.

☆ Asia stocks rise as investors find foothold at end of brutal 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) rose 0.71% and was set to end December flat. The index is set to end the year down 19% - it's worst performance since 2008. Japan's Nikkei (.N225) rose 0.22%, while Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index (.AXJO) rose 0.34%. China stocks (.SSEC) were 0.63% higher, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index (.HSI) rose 1.5%. Sterling was set for its worst performance against the dollar since 2016, when the UK voted to leave the European Union.

☆ Oil set to end turbulent 2022 modestly higher
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Florence Tan | Emily Chow | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

FILE PHOTO: A view shows Chao Xing tanker at the crude oil terminal Kozmino on the shore of Nakhodka Bay near the port city of Nakhodka, Russia August 12, 2022. Brent looked set to end the year with a 7.6% gain, after jumping 50.2% in 2021. So I think oil prices may fall to $60 next year,” he said. Oil prices cooled quickly in the second half this year as central banks across the world hiked interest rates to fight inflation, boosting the U.S. dollar. Also, China’s zero-COVID restrictions, which were only eased in December, squashed oil demand recovery hopes for the world’s No.

☆ Dollar eyes best year since 2015; Fed rate path, China reopening to set tone
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Rae Wee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. dollar index , which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, has surged more than 8% this year, the most since 2015. But expectations that the central bank may not have to raise rates as high as previously feared have caused the greenback to unwind its towering rally. Conversely, an ultra-dovish Bank of Japan in the face of a hawkish Fed, has spelled pain for the Japanese yen . Policymakers from the European Central Bank and the Bank of England have signalled more rate hikes to come next year, in a bid to tame inflation even at the risk of hurting their economies. "The issue is whether the rapid reopening (in China) triggers fresh waves in some countries or regions, and that may lead to fresh restrictions.

☆ WHO urges China to share specific data regularly on COVID situation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 30 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization on Friday once again urged China's health officials to regularly share specific and real-time information on the COVID-19 situation in the country, as it continues to assess the latest surge in infections. The agency has asked Chinese officials to share more genetic sequencing data, as well as data on hospitalizations, deaths and vaccinations. COVID infections have risen across China this month after Beijing dismantled its zero-COVID policies including regular PCR testing on its population. The United States, South Korea, India, Italy, Japan and Taiwan have all imposed COVID tests for travellers from China in response. Senior Chinese health officials exchanged views with the WHO on the new coronavirus via a video conference, China's National Health Commission said in a statement earlier on Friday.

☆ COVID travel curbs against Chinese visitors 'discriminatory' -state media
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Bernard Orr | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Global spending by Chinese visitors was worth more than $250 billion a year before the pandemic. China's official death toll of 5,247 since the pandemic began compares with more than 1 million deaths in the United States. UK-based health data firm Airfinity said on Thursday around 9,000 people in China are probably dying each day from COVID. Airfinity expects China's COVID infections to reach their first peak on Jan. 13, with 3.7 million cases a day. China has said it only counts deaths of COVID patients caused by pneumonia and respiratory failure as COVID-related.

☆ South Korea to impose mandatory COVID tests for travellers from China -News1
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Dollar slides as traders weigh China outlook, U.S. jobless claims, article with imageMarkets category · December 29, 2022The dollar slipped on Thursday with investors on edge at the end of the year as initial optimism over China's reopening fizzled out and as markets processed a readout of U.S. jobless claims.

☆ Malaysia to screen inbound travellers, including from China, for fever
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Malaysia on Friday said it will screen all inbound travellers for fever and test wastewater from aircraft arriving from China for COVID-19 as part of fresh measures to prevent an outbreak following Beijing's decision to lift strict zero-COVID policies. The Health Ministry is taking preventative measures as the country faces a risk of an influx of coronavirus cases from abroad, Minister Zaliha Mustafa said in a statement. Malaysia joins countries like United States, India, Italy and Japan in taking new measures as a wave of infections erupted across China after Beijing's abrupt decision to dismantle COVID restrictions. Zaliha said Malaysia will screen body temperatures of all inbound travellers, including those from China, and those detected with fever or other symptoms will be tested for COVID-19. Reporting by Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Kanupriya KapoorOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ France to impose mandatory COVID tests for travellers from China
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Dec 30 (Reuters) - France will require travellers from China to provide a negative COVID-19 test result less than 48 hours before departure, the health and transport ministries said on Friday. The test will be required on all flights from China, including flights with stopovers. Travellers on airplanes arriving from China will also have to wear masks. From Jan. 1, France will also carry out random PCR COVID tests upon arrival on some travellers coming from China, a government official told reporters. South Korea and Spain on Friday joined a growing list of countries, including the United States, India and others, which have imposed COVID tests for travellers from China.

☆ EU urges more checks for COVID variants given surge in China
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The commissioner's letter, dated Dec. 29, followed an online meeting of over 100 representatives from EU members, EU health agencies and the World Health Organisation to discuss how to deal with the outbreak in China. Italy has urged the rest of the European Union to follow its lead and test travellers from China, but most EU members have said they saw no need to do so. Kyriakides said some EU members had proposed measures such as the random testing of travellers. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says it does not currently recommend measures on travellers from China. It said the variants circulating in China were already in the European Union, EU citizens had relatively high vaccination levels and the potential imported infections were low compared to the number of daily infections in the EU, with health care systems currently coping.

☆ World Health Organization needs more information on China COVID situation - Tedros
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

ZURICH, Dec 30 (Reuters) - The World Health Organization needs more information to assess the latest surge in infections in China, Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. COVID infections have risen across China this month after Beijing dismantled its zero-COVID policies including regular PCR testing on its population. The United States, South Korea, India, Italy, Japan and Taiwan have all imposed COVID tests for travellers from China in response. "In order to make a comprehensive risk assessment of the COVID19 situation on the ground in #China, WHO needs more detailed information," Tedros said in a tweet late on Thursday. Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

[1/2] The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, December 27, 2022. With markets thin, China and Hong Kong stocks fell, and MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) was down 0.7% at 1223 GMT. U.S. stock index futures pointed to a more upbeat tone on Wall Street, with Nasdaq 100 e-minis up 0.6% and S&P 500 e-minis up 0.4% . Risk appetite was subdued for much of 2022 as global central banks raised interest rates in an attempt to bring down inflation. The Fed raised interest rates by 50 bps earlier in December after delivering four consecutive 75 bps hikes in the year, but it has said it may need to keep higher interest rates for longer.

SINGAPORE/LONDON, Dec 29 (Reuters) - The dollar slipped on Thursday after rising in the previous session, with investors on edge at the end of the year as initial optimism over China's reopening fizzled. The yen was last 0.56% higher at 133.72 against the dollar. That followed a 0.73% fall on Wednesday which saw the yen hit a one-week low of 134.50. It climbed as high as $1.206 earlier in the session but gave up some of its gains. Against a basket of currencies, the U.S. dollar index fell 0.08% to 104.26, having climbed 0.18% in the previous session.

[1/2] The German share price index DAX graph is pictured at the stock exchange in Frankfurt, Germany, December 27, 2022. The United States, India, Italy, Japan and Taiwan said they would require COVID-19 tests for travellers from China. At 0951 GMT, the MSCI world equity index (.MIWD00000PUS), which tracks shares in 47 countries, was down 0.1% on the day. Risk appetite was subdued for much of 2022 as global central banks raised interest rates in an attempt to bring down inflation. The Fed raised interest rates by 50 bps earlier in December after delivering four consecutive 75 bps hikes in the year, but it has said it may need to keep higher interest rates for longer.

SINGAPORE/LONDON, Dec 29 (Reuters) - The dollar slipped on Thursday after rising in the previous session, with investors on edge at the end of the year as initial optimism over China's reopening fizzled. The Japanese yen was last 0.64% higher at 133.66 against the dollar. That followed a 0.73% fall on Wednesday which saw the yen hit a one-week low of 134.50. Analysts warned against reading too much into price moves amid low trading volumes as markets head into the new year. Against a basket of currencies, the U.S. dollar index fell 0.11% to 104.23, having climbed 0.18% in the previous session.

☆ Asian shares slip as COVID surge in China makes investors uneasy
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

SINGAPORE, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Asian equities weakened slightly on Thursday as soaring COVID cases in China unsettled investors and cast doubt over chances of a swift recovery for the world's second biggest economy after the relaxation of stringent COVID curbs. Around half the passengers on two flights from China to Milan's main airport, Malpensa, tested positive for COVID on Wednesday. China shares (.SSEC) fell 0.3%, while Hong Kong's stock market (.HSI) slid 1%. State Street's Investor Confidence Index, which analyses buying and selling patterns of institutional investors, fell to 75.9 in December, the lowest since the pandemic began three years ago. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes was down 2.2 basis points to 3.864%, not far off six-week high of 3.89%.

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