JP Morgan raises China growth forecasts as country braces for Covid-19 spike December 15, 2022 JP Morgan has hiked its growth forecasts for China, after the sudden removal of its ‘zero-Covid’ laws paves the way for a brighter economy. The US bank now expects China’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 30 basis points to 4.3 per cent next year. “The most important development in the past month is [...]
Arm shies away from China over US and UK export controls on advanced chips December 14, 2022 British chip firm Arm has been taken off the roster for China’s semiconductor supply chain after the UK and US adopting stringent export controls on advanced chips to the country. It has reportedly left Chinese consumer technology giant Alibaba unable to get its hands on some of the most advanced chips in the sector, according [...]
China crafts £116bn chips support package as it tackles US curbs with WTO December 13, 2022 China is reportedly crafting a $143bn (£116.5bn) package to support its semiconductor industry, as it tackles new US trading curbs with the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The package would be a major pillar in sustaining its chips sector, which is currently fielding attempts from the US to slow its technological advances. Beijing plans to roll [...]
China hints at easing ‘zero-Covid’ approach following widespread protests December 1, 2022 China’s stance to Covid-19 is at a crossroad, following mass protests against its zero-tolerance approach to cases of the virus. One of the country’s most senior pandemic response officials said last night that China is entering a “new stage and mission”. According to state media, Sun Chunlan, China’s vice premier, said: “With the decreasing pathogenicity [...]
Warning on UK’s frosty China stance: Beijing could retaliate with supply chain disruption December 1, 2022 There are fresh warnings today about China’s ability to intentionally disrupt international supply chains, with claims the UK could be particularly vulnerable. The Evenstar Institute, a London foreign policy think tank, said in a new report today that “Beijing has repeatedly targeted direct trade for strategic purposes in recent years” and that “the UK is [...]
Inspiration Healthcare warns investors of hit to sales over China lockdowns November 28, 2022 Inspiration Healthcare has warned shareholders that sales will not exceed last year’s levels because of ongoing Covid-19 restrictions in China. The company’s China-based distributor has been significantly disrupted by the tough pandemic measures, which has curbed its “access to major customers”, the company said in a statement today. “As a result of this continued uncertainty, [...]
China Covid-19 cases hit record high as Beijing postpones ‘reopening’ November 24, 2022 Daily Covid-19 cases in China have hit a record high, cementing a fresh wave of concern that the country will not ‘open up’ after all. Wednesday saw 31,527 cases recorded compared with an April peak of 28,000. The figures are relatively small for the country of 1.4bn people. Beijing’s controversial ‘zero-Covid’ policies were hoped to [...]
Fears of tougher restrictions sweep China after first Covid death in months November 21, 2022 Fears of tougher restrictions have reignited across China today, after the country recorded its first Covid-19 death in six months. On Sunday, an 87-year-old man in Beijing died as infections across the country spike. Beijing has in recent days moved to confine some residents to their homes and ordered others to quarantine centres. Markets fell [...]
Tencent vows to ‘distribute’ $20.3bn Meituan shares to investors November 16, 2022 Tencent has vowed to give its shareholders $20.3bn (£17.4bn) worth of shares in Chinese food delivery firm Meituan as it seeks to reduce its holdings in China’s tech sector. The Shenzhen conglomerate’s “special dividend” comes as its sales dropped two per cent year-on-year, to £16.6bn, on the back of a five per cent drop in [...]
Airbus chief: A China-West economic divorce remains unlikely November 14, 2022 The economic relationship between China and the West will never be truly over, Airbus’s chief executive Guillaume Faury has said. According to the chief executive, despite current economic and political tensions, the two blocks are too intertwined to sever all ties, as this would lead to a global economic collapse. “I think a breakup of [...]