China Takes the Helm of APEC 2026 China is preparing to host the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in 2026, positioning the event as a platform to reinforce regional stability and growth. Senior officials describe the gathering as an opportunity to project confidence at a time of global economic fragmentation. The meeting will…
Liquidity Surges While Productive Investment Stalls China’s financial markets are witnessing a powerful rally in metals prices, even as the real economy continues to struggle. With limited opportunities in property, equities, and consumer spending, surplus liquidity is flowing into commodities instead of productive investment. Copper, gold, and silver have all surged to record or near-record…
Beijing Targets Structure for a Rapidly Expanding Sector China is moving to formalize its fast-growing low-altitude economy, outlining plans to establish a comprehensive national standards system by 2027. The initiative is designed to support industries ranging from drones and autonomous aircraft to airspace infrastructure and safety supervision. Guidelines released this week signal Beijing’s intent to…
Beijing Frames Starmer’s Visit as Pragmatic Reset Chinese state media reacted cautiously but positively to the visit of Keir Starmer, portraying the trip as a pragmatic recalibration rather than an ideological realignment. The visit marked the first time in eight years that a British prime minister traveled to Beijing, underscoring its symbolic weight. Coverage emphasized…
China Enters 2026 Facing a Different Economic Reality As 2026 begins, China finds itself navigating an economic environment markedly different from the high-growth decades that defined its rise. Expansion continues, but at a slower and more uneven pace, challenging assumptions that rapid growth alone can sustain political legitimacy. Policymakers now confront a complex mix of…
Strategic Competition Shapes Early 2026 Politics The opening months of 2026 have underscored how deeply strategic competition now defines global politics. Relations between the United States, Russia, and China continue evolving within a landscape marked by mistrust, economic pressure, and security concerns. Rather than isolated disputes, tensions increasingly reflect systemic rivalry. Analysts describe the current…
China Reaches Growth Goal Against the Odds China reported economic growth of around 5% in 2025, narrowly meeting Beijing’s official target despite a visible slowdown in the final quarter. The outcome surprised some analysts who had expected weaker performance amid sluggish domestic demand and persistent deflationary pressures. Officials framed the result as evidence of economic…
Growth Holds Up Despite a Softer Finish China’s economy is on track to largely meet its official 2025 growth target, even as momentum slowed toward year-end. A Reuters poll estimates fourth-quarter GDP growth at 4.4%, down from 4.8% in the previous quarter and marking the weakest pace since late 2022. Full-year expansion is projected at…
Growth Takes a Back Seat to Stability China entered 2026 with a noticeably different economic mindset. Rather than pursuing ambitious growth targets, policymakers signaled that stability, predictability, and risk containment now outweigh rapid expansion. Official messaging has emphasized “high-quality growth” over headline GDP figures, reflecting a recalibration after years of volatility. This shift acknowledges mounting…
South Korea Enters the AI Sovereignty Race South Korea is positioning its domestic technology champions as strategic alternatives to U.S. and Chinese artificial intelligence platforms. Often described locally as the country’s answer to Google, leading Korean tech firms are accelerating efforts to build large-scale AI ecosystems rooted in local language, data, and regulation. The push…
