China ramps up economy-boosting rhetoric ahead of critical conference
By Frank Chen
China’s top leadership has made “critical choices at a critical juncture” for the economy, a Xinhua commentary proclaimed on Wednesday as economic officials guiding the world’s second-largest economy were readying for their annual conclave to flesh out policies for 2025.
“The economy had fluctuations this year, particularly in the second and third quarters, but critical choices made by the top leadership headed by [President] Xi Jinping have got growth back on track,” said the 7,109-word article, which also ran on the front page of Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily.
“China is at a critical stage of transformation and upgrading for high-quality development, national rejuvenation and modernisation, but challenges are also mounting,” the article said, stressing that the policy choices, therefore, carry considerable weight at such a consequential time.
Analysts said the commentary aimed at ramping up emphasis on the nation’s economy and major decisions made by the top leadership recently, with more decisions expected at the central economic work conference. But they added that Beijing will continue to make hard choices and decisions next year as challenges are far from over.
“Beijing has the conviction that its slew of critical choices since September are paying off for the economy, but next year it will have to make more hard decisions and take concrete action,” said Li Xuenan, a finance professor with the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business.
“The commentary is a detailed account of troubles, and of how the top leadership is viewing and tackling them. Initial results are encouraging, but the critical juncture facing the economy is far from over, with Donald Trump’s new trade war looming and stubbornly weak consumption at home.”
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By Frank Chen
China’s top leadership has made “critical choices at a critical juncture” for the economy, a Xinhua commentary proclaimed on Wednesday as economic officials guiding the world’s second-largest economy were readying for their annual conclave to flesh out policies for 2025.
“The economy had fluctuations this year, particularly in the second and third quarters, but critical choices made by the top leadership headed by [President] Xi Jinping have got growth back on track,” said the 7,109-word article, which also ran on the front page of Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily.
“China is at a critical stage of transformation and upgrading for high-quality development, national rejuvenation and modernisation, but challenges are also mounting,” the article said, stressing that the policy choices, therefore, carry considerable weight at such a consequential time.
Analysts said the commentary aimed at ramping up emphasis on the nation’s economy and major decisions made by the top leadership recently, with more decisions expected at the central economic work conference. But they added that Beijing will continue to make hard choices and decisions next year as challenges are far from over.
“Beijing has the conviction that its slew of critical choices since September are paying off for the economy, but next year it will have to make more hard decisions and take concrete action,” said Li Xuenan, a finance professor with the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business.
“The commentary is a detailed account of troubles, and of how the top leadership is viewing and tackling them. Initial results are encouraging, but the critical juncture facing the economy is far from over, with Donald Trump’s new trade war looming and stubbornly weak consumption at home.”
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Why China is taking on more responsibility in Central Asia
By Nigel Li
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Central Asian counterparts in Chengdu, Sichuan province, earlier this month as part of the fifth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The outcomes of the event underscore Beijing’s growing presence in Central Asia.
Following their independence in 1991, the Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan grappled with challenges ranging from domestic strife and cross-border tensions – such as those between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – to the threats posed by Islamic extremism. While the region seems to be trending towards stability, the underlying causes of instability persist.
The war in Ukraine, now nearing its third year, has shifted some of Moscow’s attention away from Central Asia. The symbiotic relationship China and Russia each have with Central Asia has been characterised as Moscow holding the gun while Beijing holds the wallet. However, this dynamic has evolved, with Beijing inheriting the responsibilities of financial investor and security guarantor.
Beijing views strengthened economic and trade ties with Central Asia as a strategic pathway to guaranteed stability. By fostering regional integration and deepening cooperation, China aims to create an environment of shared prosperity that supports broader security objectives.
China’s trade with Central Asia surpassed US$70 billion in 2022 and reached US$90 billion in 2023. It has replaced Russia as the region’s top trade partner. Kazakhstan is China’s primary partner in the region, with the volume of imports and exports hitting US$41 billion last year.
The region is also a major recipient of Belt and Road Initiative investments. As of 2023, the cumulative turnover of completed projects in the region was nearly US$64 billion. Central Asia plays an important geographic role as a transit hub for China.
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By Nigel Li
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Central Asian counterparts in Chengdu, Sichuan province, earlier this month as part of the fifth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The outcomes of the event underscore Beijing’s growing presence in Central Asia.
Following their independence in 1991, the Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan grappled with challenges ranging from domestic strife and cross-border tensions – such as those between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – to the threats posed by Islamic extremism. While the region seems to be trending towards stability, the underlying causes of instability persist.
The war in Ukraine, now nearing its third year, has shifted some of Moscow’s attention away from Central Asia. The symbiotic relationship China and Russia each have with Central Asia has been characterised as Moscow holding the gun while Beijing holds the wallet. However, this dynamic has evolved, with Beijing inheriting the responsibilities of financial investor and security guarantor.
Beijing views strengthened economic and trade ties with Central Asia as a strategic pathway to guaranteed stability. By fostering regional integration and deepening cooperation, China aims to create an environment of shared prosperity that supports broader security objectives.
China’s trade with Central Asia surpassed US$70 billion in 2022 and reached US$90 billion in 2023. It has replaced Russia as the region’s top trade partner. Kazakhstan is China’s primary partner in the region, with the volume of imports and exports hitting US$41 billion last year.
The region is also a major recipient of Belt and Road Initiative investments. As of 2023, the cumulative turnover of completed projects in the region was nearly US$64 billion. Central Asia plays an important geographic role as a transit hub for China.
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Jimmy Lai denies instigating US move to revoke Hong Kong’s special economic status
By Brian Wong
Former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has denied instigating a US government move to revoke Hong Kong’s special economic status in 2020, but said Washington was “right” to do so as a way to compel Beijing to “come to terms” with America’s demands.
Lai said on Wednesday he did not initially think it necessary for the US to rescind Hong Kong’s trade privileges as he felt the city would be “finished anyway” after Beijing’s imposition of the national security law.
But he later changed his mind and said he believed that punishing Hong Kong – China’s window to the outside world – would be beneficial to Washington.
Lai returned to the witness box for a 15th day in his high-profile trial at West Kowloon Court, as he explained his thoughts on foreign governments’ responses to what he saw as Beijing’s encroachment on Hongkongers’ fundamental freedoms after the 2019 anti-government protests.
The founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily tabloid has denied two conspiracy charges of collusion with foreign forces and a third count of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications.
The court heard Mary Kissel, who was an assistant to former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, approached Lai through his right-hand man Mark Simon after noting the former media boss’ remarks on US-Hong Kong relations.
Simon, who formerly worked for US naval intelligence, told Lai via messaging app Signal that the Trump administration was “a bit confused” by the tabloid founder’s earlier comments that Washington should maintain economic ties with Hong Kong despite the national security law.
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By Brian Wong
Former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying has denied instigating a US government move to revoke Hong Kong’s special economic status in 2020, but said Washington was “right” to do so as a way to compel Beijing to “come to terms” with America’s demands.
Lai said on Wednesday he did not initially think it necessary for the US to rescind Hong Kong’s trade privileges as he felt the city would be “finished anyway” after Beijing’s imposition of the national security law.
But he later changed his mind and said he believed that punishing Hong Kong – China’s window to the outside world – would be beneficial to Washington.
Lai returned to the witness box for a 15th day in his high-profile trial at West Kowloon Court, as he explained his thoughts on foreign governments’ responses to what he saw as Beijing’s encroachment on Hongkongers’ fundamental freedoms after the 2019 anti-government protests.
The founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily tabloid has denied two conspiracy charges of collusion with foreign forces and a third count of conspiracy to print and distribute seditious publications.
The court heard Mary Kissel, who was an assistant to former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo, approached Lai through his right-hand man Mark Simon after noting the former media boss’ remarks on US-Hong Kong relations.
Simon, who formerly worked for US naval intelligence, told Lai via messaging app Signal that the Trump administration was “a bit confused” by the tabloid founder’s earlier comments that Washington should maintain economic ties with Hong Kong despite the national security law.
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Hong Kong photographer jailed for 8 weeks over indecent assault against model
By Fiona Chow
An award-winning Hong Kong photographer has been sentenced to eight weeks in prison for indecently assaulting a female model two years ago.
Eastern Court on Wednesday granted defendant Leung Chun-chung’s bail, which the 39-year-old applied for immediately after learning about his sentence. He is currently appealing against his conviction.
Leung was found guilty of pulling down the model’s dress and exposing her breasts at his Chai Wan studio on the night of December 16, 2022, an offence which he denied.
The victim testified that she trusted Leung as an award-winning photographer who had collaborated with celebrities in Hong Kong and followed his requests for posing.
She told the court that Leung asked her not to wear pasties to cover her nipples and made her take off her undergarment for “natural effect”.
The model recounted Leung suddenly pulled down her dress and exposed her breasts to the camera without her consent.
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By Fiona Chow
An award-winning Hong Kong photographer has been sentenced to eight weeks in prison for indecently assaulting a female model two years ago.
Eastern Court on Wednesday granted defendant Leung Chun-chung’s bail, which the 39-year-old applied for immediately after learning about his sentence. He is currently appealing against his conviction.
Leung was found guilty of pulling down the model’s dress and exposing her breasts at his Chai Wan studio on the night of December 16, 2022, an offence which he denied.
The victim testified that she trusted Leung as an award-winning photographer who had collaborated with celebrities in Hong Kong and followed his requests for posing.
She told the court that Leung asked her not to wear pasties to cover her nipples and made her take off her undergarment for “natural effect”.
The model recounted Leung suddenly pulled down her dress and exposed her breasts to the camera without her consent.
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Hong Kong to subsidise electric buses and taxis to stop cost being passed to public
By Sammy Heung
Government subsidies will ensure Hong Kong bus operators do not pass on the cost of switching to electric vehicles (EVs) to passengers, the city’s environment minister has said.
Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan made the pledge to public transport users on Wednesday, a day after unveiling the government’s road map to gradually replace diesel buses and taxis with EVs.
The government push will include offering more than HK$600 million (US$77.2 million) in subsidies to operators buying such vehicles, and will launch later this month.
Tse on Tuesday said authorities would help operators procure 600 e-buses and 3,000 e-taxis.
Each single- and double-decker bus will come with a subsidy of HK$400,000 (US$51,440) and HK$800,000 respectively, or 25 per cent of the capital cost, depending on whichever is lower.
“Although the price of electric buses has significantly dropped, they still cost over a million dollars more than diesel buses,” Tse told a radio programme on Wednesday.
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By Sammy Heung
Government subsidies will ensure Hong Kong bus operators do not pass on the cost of switching to electric vehicles (EVs) to passengers, the city’s environment minister has said.
Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan made the pledge to public transport users on Wednesday, a day after unveiling the government’s road map to gradually replace diesel buses and taxis with EVs.
The government push will include offering more than HK$600 million (US$77.2 million) in subsidies to operators buying such vehicles, and will launch later this month.
Tse on Tuesday said authorities would help operators procure 600 e-buses and 3,000 e-taxis.
Each single- and double-decker bus will come with a subsidy of HK$400,000 (US$51,440) and HK$800,000 respectively, or 25 per cent of the capital cost, depending on whichever is lower.
“Although the price of electric buses has significantly dropped, they still cost over a million dollars more than diesel buses,” Tse told a radio programme on Wednesday.
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Chinese engineering graduates often lack basic knowledge, survey finds
By Jane Cai
Engineering graduates in China often lack basic knowledge and their training across disciplines can be limited – and that could be hampering the country’s ability to gain a tech advantage, a survey of universities and companies has found.
“The mismatch of engineering graduates’ abilities and company needs, a student appraisal system that is focused on published research papers, among other problems, call for deep reflection on China’s education model,” Liang Xianping, a researcher with South China Normal University who was on the team that conducted the study, wrote in China Science Daily on Tuesday.
In many cases, what students are taught in engineering degrees turns out to be “useless” in the workplace, Liang wrote in the official Chinese Academy of Sciences newspaper.
Liang and other researchers interviewed 31 students, teaching staff and company executives for the study last year.
The team found textbooks are outdated, curriculum design is unsystematic and many students avoid enrolling in difficult basic science subjects such as mathematics and physics.
According to the education ministry, China has the “world’s largest engineering education system” – there were more than 6.7 million undergraduates in over 23,000 engineering programmes at universities and colleges last year.
But when President Xi Jinping presented the first national engineering awards in January, he stressed the need to develop a large team of high-calibre engineers.
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By Jane Cai
Engineering graduates in China often lack basic knowledge and their training across disciplines can be limited – and that could be hampering the country’s ability to gain a tech advantage, a survey of universities and companies has found.
“The mismatch of engineering graduates’ abilities and company needs, a student appraisal system that is focused on published research papers, among other problems, call for deep reflection on China’s education model,” Liang Xianping, a researcher with South China Normal University who was on the team that conducted the study, wrote in China Science Daily on Tuesday.
In many cases, what students are taught in engineering degrees turns out to be “useless” in the workplace, Liang wrote in the official Chinese Academy of Sciences newspaper.
Liang and other researchers interviewed 31 students, teaching staff and company executives for the study last year.
The team found textbooks are outdated, curriculum design is unsystematic and many students avoid enrolling in difficult basic science subjects such as mathematics and physics.
According to the education ministry, China has the “world’s largest engineering education system” – there were more than 6.7 million undergraduates in over 23,000 engineering programmes at universities and colleges last year.
But when President Xi Jinping presented the first national engineering awards in January, he stressed the need to develop a large team of high-calibre engineers.
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Malaysians, Singaporeans hurl barbs over expat-linked living costs squeezing locals
By Joseph Sipalan
A social media post arguing that Singapore is superior to neighbouring Malaysia has brought together Southeast Asians to push back against “gentrification” of their cities, which many tie to growing demand from Western expatriates seeking “affordable luxury” in the region.
Locals in Southeast Asian tourist destinations have long complained of rising living costs, as governments in the region seek to lure digital nomads to tropical paradises like Bali and Boracay to live the high life, without the high costs associated with cities like New York or London.
The latest online kerfuffle started with a post over the weekend by fitness influencer Alexander Cortes on X, who ranked Malaysia as the best Asian country with its strong command of English, safety and “S-Tier” or super-tier food on par with New York and accessible, cheap healthcare.
The message drew a lighthearted rebuttal by Singaporean Kit Sun Cheah, who argued that the city state does better on nearly all counts including its command of English, absence of corruption and its reputation for food.
“Everything Malaysia has, Singapore does better … Except prices. And, arguably, families,” read the cheeky post.
The reply triggered a swift blowback from Malaysians, who frequently trade online banter and barbs with their neighbours in Singapore.
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By Joseph Sipalan
A social media post arguing that Singapore is superior to neighbouring Malaysia has brought together Southeast Asians to push back against “gentrification” of their cities, which many tie to growing demand from Western expatriates seeking “affordable luxury” in the region.
Locals in Southeast Asian tourist destinations have long complained of rising living costs, as governments in the region seek to lure digital nomads to tropical paradises like Bali and Boracay to live the high life, without the high costs associated with cities like New York or London.
The latest online kerfuffle started with a post over the weekend by fitness influencer Alexander Cortes on X, who ranked Malaysia as the best Asian country with its strong command of English, safety and “S-Tier” or super-tier food on par with New York and accessible, cheap healthcare.
The message drew a lighthearted rebuttal by Singaporean Kit Sun Cheah, who argued that the city state does better on nearly all counts including its command of English, absence of corruption and its reputation for food.
“Everything Malaysia has, Singapore does better … Except prices. And, arguably, families,” read the cheeky post.
The reply triggered a swift blowback from Malaysians, who frequently trade online banter and barbs with their neighbours in Singapore.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
