While naysayers have painted a doomsday scenario for Hong Kong since the plummeting of the Hang Seng Index, EAI senior research fellow Yu Hong points to Hong Kong’s strong fundamentals, the vitality of the Greater Bay Area and the knock-on effects of the recovery of the mainland economy. He notes that as long as the mainland economy continues to grow, the Hong Kong stock market will remain attractive to regional and global investors.
Economy
Economy
Given the current challenges to China’s economy, such as the soft property market and weak domestic demand, how achievable is China’s growth target of 5% for this year? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing tells us more.
Economy
Chinese property giant Vanke has avoided defaulting on its publicly traded bonds so far even during the prolonged market crisis. But its balance sheet has been weakened by falling sales of new homes and fragile market sentiment, and it has resorted to offloading assets to repay its debts on time.
Society
Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu notes that the recent public outcry against the heads of two prominent private enterprises for apparent transgressions in the name of “patriotism” does not bode well for the authorities’ efforts in support of the private sector.
Economy
Not only did the US manage to stave off a decline in 2023, it even achieved an annual GDP growth of 2.5%, with its stock market soaring to an all-time high. Commentator Jin Jian Guo notes that the history of the development of the US economy proves how crucial the entrepreneurial spirit is for an economy, helping the US keep its spot as the leading economy in the world.
Economy
Japanese academic Sukegawa Seiya notes that with the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement and the Thai government’s aggressive promotion policies, the Thai auto market and even the global auto market could soon be filled with China EV brands that are made in Thailand.
Politics
Cambodia’s push to build Techo Canal, a waterway linking the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port to its coastal province Kep, means cargo ships may bypass the Vietnamese port of Cai Mep. Cambodian commentator Sokvy Rim weighs up the impacts of such a prospect.
Economy
Launched in 2013 as a place for users to share things like travel and beauty tips, and acting as a conduit for lifestyle reviews, Xiaohongshu is again reshuffling its e-commerce ventures, hoping to transform into an e-commerce platform.
Politics
Commentator Chen Kuohsiang says that China’s politics have become even more opaque and rigid since the announcement that the premier’s press conference will no longer be held at the end of the National People’s Congress. With no room left to express personal will or position, the Chinese premier has been reduced to the general secretary’s political implementer.