China

December 19, 2024 8:52 AM

India, China agree on resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, river cooperation, Nathula border trade

Following the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives, India and China reaffirmed their commitment to promote the resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, cross-border river cooperation and Nathula border trade. During the meeting, both sides agreed on measures to maintain peace and tranquility along the border, and strengthen mechanisms for diplomatic and military negotiations, with plans for a follow-up meeting in India next year. The 23rd Meeting of the Special Representatives (SRs) of In...

December 16, 2024 3:00 PM

Global markets wary of Fed rate plans, China retail disappoints

Shares around the world nudged lower on Monday on soft economic numbers from China and Europe and as surging bond yields challenged equity valuations, at the start of a week packed with central bank meetings and major economic data. Figures from China showed retail sales rose just 3.0% in November, compared with a year earlier, well below market forecasts of 4.6% and evidence of the need for much more aggressive stimulus. Industrial production was much as expected, while house prices were still...

December 4, 2024 5:46 PM

Nepal, China sign deal on Belt and Road plan, paving way for progress on projects

Nepal has signed a framework agreement with China on the Belt and Road initiative, after an initial pact was signed seven years ago but no progress made since, paving the way for cooperation on projects, its foreign ministry said on Wednesday. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has been in Beijing since Monday on a four-day visit, his first to a foreign country since his July swearing-in, breaking tradition by not making New Delhi, with which Kathmandu has centuries-old ties, his first foreign port...

November 29, 2024 8:49 PM

Nepal’s Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba meets Wang Yi in Chengdu

Nepal's Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on Friday. This marks Dr Deuba's first visit to China since her appointment. The visit comes at the friendly invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi and is aimed at laying the groundwork for Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's upcoming visit to China, scheduled for next week. Dr Deuba will return to Nepal on November 30. During her visit, Dr Deuba inspected the Con...

November 27, 2024 9:51 AM

Trump tariffs would harm all involved, US trade partners say

Officials from Mexico, Canada and China and major industry groups warned that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's threat of hefty tariffs on goods would harm the economies of all involved, cause inflation to spike and damage job markets. Trump's pledge announced on Monday roiled currency, bond and equity markets on Tuesday, as the three countries are the United States' largest trading partners. Mexico and Canada are particularly intertwined in U.S. auto production and energy output thanks to de...

November 17, 2024 10:05 AM

Why Russia – North Korea friendship upsets China

There’s bromance in the air and it’s between two unlikely pals — Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin. But, it has upset some, including, guess who, Xi Jinping. The Kim — Putin Bromance is the subject of much discussion and speculation. Kim’s 3 a.m. hug of Putin on the tarmac; gifting him two Pungsan dogs; and Putin in turn presenting Kim with a Russian-make Aurus limousine and taking Kim for a spin in it: Their carefully-choreographed appearances project a sense of camaraderie and bonhomie...

November 13, 2024 5:05 PM

India set to become ‘major producer’ of electric vehicles like China: Mark Mobius

India, which began its electric vehicle (EV) journey with two-wheelers, is set to become a “major producer" of electric vehicles like China in years to come, ace global investor Mark Mobius has said. The EV sales have seen a record surge under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, reflecting the growing momentum of EV adoption. Through initiatives like the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) and the PM E-DRIVE schemes, electric two-wheelers (e-2W) sales surged to 5,71,411 units in 2024-25. During the...

November 12, 2024 9:07 AM

US President-elect Trump selects Florida rep Waltz as national security adviser: Sources

US President-elect Donald Trump has selected Florida representative Mike Waltz as his national security adviser, Reuters reported, citing sources on Monday. Waltz, a former Army Green Beret and a prominent critic of China, has criticized their activity in the Asia-Pacific. He also voiced the need for the United States to be ready for a potential conflict in the region. He will be responsible for briefing Trump on key national security issues and coordinating with different agencies, Reuters repo...

November 9, 2024 2:51 PM

Apple plans 1st-ever research subsidiary in India amid diversification push

Strengthening its presence in India as part of a diversification effort away from China, Apple has established a new research and development (R&D) subsidiary in the country. The R&D facility will reportedly focus on research, design, testing, and providing support to third-party manufacturers. The move to set up an R&D facility in India is significant, as it will enable the tech giant to better connect with the local manufacturing ecosystem, players, and original equipment manufac...

November 9, 2024 10:43 AM

China unveils $1.4 trln local debt package but no direct stimulus

China unveiled a 10 trillion yuan ($1.40 trillion) debt package on Friday to ease local government financing strains and stabilise flagging economic growth, as it faces fresh pressure from the re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. president. The measures confirm last week's Reuters report, and mark a departure from the all-out stimulus strategies to revive growth China has deployed in the past. They aim to repair municipal balance sheets as a longer-term objective, rather than directly inject mon...