China’s April soybean imports slide on year
Jan-Apr imports down 1% on year to 28.36 mil mt Crush margins negative on poor hog margins China’s soybean imports in April fell 8.5% year on year to 8.08 million Continue Reading
China’s April steel exports miss trade estimates, unlikely to improve in May
Exports at 4.9 mil mt, down from estimated 6 mil-7 mil mt Logistics hurdles to weigh on buyers’ enthusiasm China’s finished steel exports rose 0.7% on the month to 4.977 Continue Reading
China’s Iranian oil imports ease on poor margins, lure of Russian oil
April imports estimated at 650,000 bpd – Vortexa Q1 Iran exports average 840,000 bpd, almost all to China – Kpler Independent refiners face shrinking margins Displaced Russian Urals crude heading Continue Reading
‘Go home!’ COVID-hit Shanghai, Beijing tell residents to avoid social contacts
China’s two biggest cities tightened COVID-19 curbs on their residents on Monday, raising new frustration and even questions about the legality of its uncompromising battle with the virus. As authorities Continue Reading
Analysis: Shanghai COVID crisis puts political spotlight on key Xi ally
If Shanghai Communist Party chief Li Qiang has been politically bruised by the city’s struggle to tame a COVID-19 outbreak that has infuriated residents and caused severe economic damage, there Continue Reading
China’s Imports From Russia Hit Record on Energy Price Rises
Chinese imports from Russia surged to a record in April, likely due to soaring global energy prices, while exports fell to the lowest level since the early months of the Continue Reading
Beijing Residents Keep Faith With Government’s Zero-Covid Strategy
For weeks, Beijing has teetered on the edge of a hard, Covid-induced lockdown. For the most part, citizens are unruffled, confident that the restrictions that have paralyzed Shanghai for six Continue Reading
CIA director says China ‘unsettled’ by Ukraine war
The director of the CIA said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has been “unsettled” by the war in Ukraine, which had demonstrated that the friendship between Beijing and Moscow had Continue Reading
China’s Covid Lockdowns Disrupt Global Supply Chains: Eco Week
China’s lockdowns to contain Covid have snarled operations at the world’s largest port in Shanghai and stalled activity in major cities, affecting the supply chains of businesses from Tesla Inc. Continue Reading
‘Stop asking why’: Shanghai tightens COVID lockdown, Beijing keeps testing
Shanghai authorities were tightening the city-wide COVID lockdown they imposed more than a month ago, prolonging into late May an ordeal that China’s capital Beijing was desperate to avoid by Continue Reading
China builds permanent COVID testing stations for life after lockdown
China is setting up thousands of permanent PCR testing stations, with 9,000 already completed in Shanghai alone, as authorities seek to “normalise” tough pandemic controls even after the current round Continue Reading
Chinese Tech Giants Quietly Retreat From Doing Business With Russia
Chinese tech companies are quietly pulling back from doing business in Russia under pressure from U.S. sanctions and suppliers, despite calls by Beijing for companies to resist overseas coercion. Several Continue Reading
Coronavirus pandemic far deadlier than official count, WHO estimate suggests
The number of people who died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic by the end of last year may be nearly three times higher than thought, according to estimates Continue Reading
COVID led to 15 million deaths globally, not the 5 million reported – WHO
Almost three times as many people have died as a result of COVID-19 as official data show, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report, the most comprehensive look Continue Reading
China stares at slower steel demand from manufacturing sector in May
Highlights China’s manufacturing activity further contracts in April Overseas demand for Chinese manufactured goods shrinks More easing expected in infrastructure, property sectors Steel demand from China’s manufacturing sector is expected Continue Reading
China’s Oil Giant Says It’s Not Seeking Discounted Russian Fuel
PetroChina said it plans to boost its exploration and production efforts. Bloomberg News PetroChina Co. isn’t seeking any discounted Russian oil and gas and is only purchasing fuel from the Continue Reading
Xi Jinping’s renewed commitment to zero-Covid rattles markets in China
Xi Jinping has reaffirmed his commitment to China’s controversial zero-Covid strategy, warning against “any slackening” in the effort and vowing to crack down on criticism of the policy despite signs Continue Reading
China’s unvaccinated elderly keep onerous zero-covid policy in place
On a sweltering afternoon in this southern Chinese city, a young woman sat at a stand of giveaways aimed at convincing some of the city’s remaining unvaccinated residents to get Continue Reading
Hong Kong’s Retail Sales Plunge Again in March on Virus Curbs
Hong Kong’s retail sales plummeted 13.8% in March, the first back-to-back contraction in more than a year as stringent virus restrictions weighed heavily on the economy and crushed consumer spending. Continue Reading
China’s Services Sector Is in the Doldrums as Covid-19 Lockdowns Bite
Activity in China’s services sector fell in April to its weakest level since the early days of the pandemic, according to one indicator, as lockdowns aimed at containing Covid-19 shut Continue Reading
China demand worries dull oil price impact of EU’s Russian embargo plan
The European Commission on Wednesday proposed one of the most sweeping changes to global energy flows in history. But the oil price barely responded. Brent, the international benchmark, rose 3.8 Continue Reading
India releases 2020 death data ahead of WHO COVID mortality study it objects
India registered about 475,000 more total deaths in 2020 than the previous year, government data released months ahead of schedule on Tuesday showed, as the World Health Organization readies its Continue Reading
China’s independent refiners start buying Russian oil at steep discounts
China’s independent refiners have been discreetly buying Russian oil at steep discounts as western countries suspend their own purchases and explore potential embargoes because of the war in Ukraine. An Continue Reading
Beijing curbs public transport as COVID spreads in China
The Chinese capital Beijing shut dozens of metro stations and bus routes on Wednesday in its campaign to stop the spread of COVID-19 and avoid the fate of Shanghai where Continue Reading
North Korea mobilises office workers to fight drought amid food shortages
North Korea’s office workers and factory laborers have been dispatched to farming areas around the country to join a fight against drought, state media reported on Wednesday, amid concerns over Continue Reading
Central Chinese city of Zhengzhou imposes new COVID movement curbs for May 4-10
The central Chinese city of Zhengzhou announced on Tuesday it would impose new COVID-related movement curbs for May 4-10. Schools in the main city district will go online, while employees Continue Reading
Some in Shanghai get out for a rare stroll; Beijing tightens COVID curbs
Some of Shanghai’s 25 million people managed to get out on Tuesday for short walks and shopping after enduring more than a month under a COVID-19 lockdown, while China’s capital, Continue Reading
China’s efforts to limit oil product exports gain speed in quest for net-zero
Highlights New gasoline, gasoil, jet fuel quota allocations unlikely until H2 Beijing aims to issue new fuel oil export quotas soon Refineries will increasingly need to adjust product slates China Continue Reading
U.S. relieved as China appears to heed warnings on Russia
Two months after warning that Beijing appeared poised to help Russia in its fight against Ukraine, senior U.S. officials say they have not detected overt Chinese military and economic support, Continue Reading
Setback for Shanghai’s COVID battle; Beijing focuses on mass testing
China’s commercial capital of Shanghai was dealt a blow on Monday as authorities reported 58 new COVID-19 cases outside areas under lockdown, while Beijing pressed on with testing millions of Continue Reading
Shanghai lockdown sends chill down meat trade
The protracted lockdown in Shanghai, China’s financial hub, is slowing the nation’s normally booming meat trade, with stringent COVID-19 measures causing logistics logjams across the food industry in a sign Continue Reading
China Contagion Threatens to Derail the World’s Emerging Markets
China Maintains Covid Fight as Lockdowns Pummel Economy A widespread selloff in China is rippling through emerging markets, threatening to snuff out growth and drag down everything from stocks to Continue Reading
CATL Retains Top Position as World’s Biggest EV Battery Maker
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. easily maintained its pole position as the world’s biggest maker of electric-car batteries as of the end of March with its share edging slighter higher Continue Reading
China’s Economy Appears to Be Stalling, Threatening to Drag Down Global Growth
Covid-19 lockdowns in Shanghai have added pressure to supply-chain issues. Throttled by Beijing’s zero-tolerance approach to Covid-19, China’s economy is facing a spell of slower growth. Economists are toying with Continue Reading
Shanghai Residents Protest Lockdown With Marches, Smashed Vegetables and Art Projects
Discontent has been widespread on Chinese social media ever since Shanghai started a rigid lockdown in late March. Now, it is moving into the real world. Sharply falling case numbers Continue Reading
Beijing teeters on edge of Covid lockdown
The coronavirus pandemic is creeping closer to the halls of power in Beijing as authorities rush to avoid an uncontrolled Shanghai-style Omicron outbreak in China’s capital. Beijing is tightening coronavirus Continue Reading
Covid-19 Live Updates: Beijing News and More
Coronavirus cases are surging again in South Africa, and public health experts are monitoring the situation, eager to know what’s driving the spike, what it says about immunity from previous Continue Reading
Beijing Reopens Mass Isolation Center In Attempt to Avoid Broad Lockdown
The authorities in Beijing on Monday said that they had reopened a mass coronavirus isolation center, the latest in a raft of measures to try to stave off a citywide Continue Reading
China state planner sets out irregular price-pushing behaviours for coal
China’s state planner warned domestic thermal coal producers and traders on Saturday not to hoard stock or engage in a list of other practices that it said amounted to pushing Continue Reading
Macau Gaming Income Falls to New Low on China Omicron Outbreaks
Macau’s gaming revenue slump deepened in April, plunging 68% from a year earlier to the lowest level in about 18 months as the world’s biggest gambling hub suffers from a Continue Reading
China’s ‘zero-COVID’ restrictions curb May 1 holiday travel
Many Chinese are marking a quiet May Day holiday this year as the government’s “zero-COVID” approach restricts travel and enforces lockdowns in multiple cities. All restaurants in Beijing are closed Continue Reading
China meets banks to discuss protecting assets from US sanctions
Chinese regulators have held an emergency meeting with domestic and foreign banks to discuss how they could protect the country’s overseas assets from USled sanctions similar to those imposed on Continue Reading
Western multinationals sound alarm over China’s Covid lockdowns
Covid-19 lockdowns across China are shaking western multinationals’ production lines, snarling supply chains and threatening financial forecasts as Beijing steps up its effort to contain a surge in coronavirus cases. Continue Reading
Inside China’s Zero-Covid Fortress, Xi Admits No Doubts
As the lockdown of Shanghai and outbreaks in Beijing and elsewhere batter the economy, China’s leader keeps a distance from the politically charged issue. A worker registering for a Covid Continue Reading
China Is Racing To Control The Global EV Supply Chain
China and the United States are racing for control over the global electric and autonomous vehicle supply chains. The countries that take the lead in this race may very well Continue Reading
Covid-19 Cases Rise in the U.S., With Limited Impact
As new Omicron variants further infiltrate the U.S., a jumble of signals suggest the latest increase in Covid-19 infections hasn’t sparked a commensurate surge in severe illness even as risks Continue Reading
China’s Economy Slows Rapidly as Covid Zero Lockdowns Bite
China’s economic activity contracted sharply in April as the lockdown of Shanghai and other areas around the country to contain a widespread Covid-19 outbreak closed factories, snarled roads and stopped Continue Reading
Cases are rising in nearly every corner of the United States.
Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations are rising in a majority of American states, in what appears to be the first widespread increase since the peak of the Omicron surge in January. Reports Continue Reading
Iran Boosts Oil Exports As Its Key Buyer China Cuts Russian Purchases
Iran’s oil exports jumped by 30 percent from last year to 870,000 barrels per day (bpd) in the first quarter of 2022, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing Continue Reading
No quick recovery for China oil demand as COVID battle grinds on
China’s oil demand is expected to stay weak heading into May as COVID-19 lockdowns across the country curtail travel plans during the Labour Day holiday season, analysts and traders say. Continue Reading