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Pork prices in Beijing remained relatively stable despite the swine flu outbreak in Mexico. China's job market is still in the doldrums with the registered urban jobless rising slightly in the first quarter. The government is preparing to issue the third tranche of its stimulus package. China Minmetals Corp. received approval from the Australian Treasury to buy the assets of Oz Minerals Ltd. There were signs that international hot money has started to leave China. Surveys indicate that new Chinese parents a...     

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Local governments at all levels in China are taking efforts to curb soaring home prices, with Beijing introducing the strictest policies. On observing the increase of international crude oil prices, China raised gas prices for the first time this year. Foreign direct investment in China continued to expand in January and will remain high in 2011. Hot money, on the other hand, accounted for a small amount of capital inflows. Huawei Technology withdrew from its acquisition of the U.S. 3Leaf Systems and the Chinese Government has requested transparency in the U.S. approval procedure. Baidu, the biggest search engine in China, is facing a lawsuit for allegedly blocking competitor’s search results.     

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U.S.Treasuries Shed China trimmed its holdings of U.S.Treasury securities in June to ＄843.7 billion,according to the U.S.Department of the Treasury.     

China Has Only 1 Percent of the International Labor Market

Wang Dongjin, vice minister of Labor and Social Security, said that although progress has been made in overseas employment, China‘s overseas work force makes up less than 1 percent of the international labor market, This is surprisingly low in view of China‘s huge population, According to statistics, at the end of 2003, China‘s overseas work force amounted to 525,000 and created foreign exchange earnings of US $2 billion.     

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China remains an attractive destination for foreign investments,despite signs that capital inflow is tapering off.China’s textile manufacturers are generating handsome returns,but uncertainties still loom large.The country’s funds spill red ink due to less-than-favorable stock market outcomes.The sovereign wealth fund China Investment Corp.cashes in on its expanding global presence.The Chinese search giant Baidu.com gains momentum thanks to robust traffic growth and business diversification.     

In a Tight Spot

With chilly headwinds blowing through a number of sectors, the global economy is undoubtedly entering a downward cycle. More disturbing, though, is the slack emanating from an aging society that is posing a headache to countries of the world. China is no exception, with its population bonus expected to dry up around 2015. Ha Jii lg, chief economist at China International Capital Corp. Ltd., discussed these issues in an article recently published in the Shanghai Securities Journal. Edited excerpts follow:     

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China adds to its holdings of U.S. Treasury securities for the first time in three months. China’s auto market stages a significant comeback in August as vehicle sales grew 6.29 percent from July figures. The Anshan Iron & Steel Group Corp. concluded an agreement to invest in the United States, ending doubts about the feasibility of the deal. State -owned enterprises raked in juicy profits from January to August this year. China inches up on the global competitiveness ranking list. Global payment giant MasterCard Worldwide predicts China will replace the United States as the world’s top credit card market by 2020.     

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China drains excess liquidity out of the market by further hiking the reserve requirement ratio.China offloads its holdings of U.S.Treasury securities for the fifth consecutive month in a bid to diversify its foreign exchange reserves.Home prices remain on the rise in most Chinese cities,though the government has tried to cool the property fever.China’s thermal power generators incur painful losses as coal prices soar.E-reader manufacturer Hanvon swims in red ink as sales plunge,possibly due to the iPad’s popularity.     

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According to November economic figures, the Chinese economy is on track for recovery on all fronts. The logistics industry recoups its strength, though woes on the trade front require more time to fully recover. By partly withdrawing tax incentives for prospective real estate and auto buyers, China aims to calm the bubbling markets. Auto behemoth General Motors forges a joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group to maneuver into the emerging Indian auto market. Canadian handset maker RIM la...     

More in the Pipeline

With the government's decision to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060,the race is on in China to switch to clean fuel.Some of the biggest energy companies in the country have increased investment in the exploration of natural gas.China National Offshore Oil Corp.(CNOOC),the largest producer of offshore crude oil and natural gas in the country,for example,has announced that gas will account for 30 percent of its production by 2025,growing to 50 percent in 2035.     

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China is expected to reap a bumper harvest this autumn, but grain security remains a long-term concern Despite sweeping natural disasters China is on track to achieve a bounti ful harvest for this autumn's grain yield,which usually accounts fo three fourths of the annual output,said Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu.     

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Manufacturing Slackens The momentum of the manufacturing sector showed signs of wearing off in July,raising concerns over an economic slowdown.     

国家粮食核心产区的保护与建设——黑龙江调查报告

该文通过对东北地区的调研，提出了建设国家粮食生产核心区的构想。黑龙江省是中国重要的粮食生产基地，农业基础雄厚，拥有大量的耕地后备资源以及现代农业基础，具备了高标准增加粮食产量的潜力。在世界粮价日趋增长的阶段，加大对黑龙江地区的农业扶持，建立国家粮食核心产区，对中国保障十八亿亩耕地红线以及确保国家粮食安全，具有重大的意义。黑龙江省目前土地整理标准低、种粮农民收入增加缓慢，制约了黑龙江省成为中国粮食核心产区的进程。作者提出了黑龙江粮食核心产区保护与建设工程，以及加快农民增收的建议。     

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China vows to keep a stringent handle on the industrial overcapacity that is draining life from the economic revival. China Mobile pushes forward OPhone and its operating system in an aggressive push into the 3G market. As its tight grip over the market slips, the wireless titan cannot wait to regain lost ground. China's manufacturing sector continues to pick up steam as evidenced by the climbing PMI. Soaring prices of pork and eggs reignite fears over inflation. The buoyant real estate market appears to be...     

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Property Tax The State Council on May 31 approved a national program to gradually push forward property tax reform,a signal that the long-debated tax may be already in the pipeline.     

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House prices continue heading north in most Chinese cities,defying government efforts to curb the property market fever. Chinese companies press ahead with outbound mergers and acquisitions, as they expand their footprint beyond China’s borders. China has boosted its holdings of the U.S. Treasury Securities for two consecutive months after previously shedding these assets. State-owned enterprises continue along a profitable path, with profits soaring in the first half of this year. China remains the world’s hottest initial public offering (IPO) market, despite a decrease in IPO cases in the first half.     

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The Chinese central bank raises the red flag of bad debt risks from credit cards as default payments increase. China Investment Corp., the sovereign wealth fund, makes a push into commodities needed to feed humming economic machines. By handing out heavy tax breaks and financing incentives, China aims to assist ailing small businesses. The German industrial titan Siemens A.G. remains committed to the Chinese market despite the economic slowdown. Chinese home appliance makers take heart from government stimu...     

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Major Economic Figures In January 2010 CPI In January,the consumer price index(CPI),a main gauge for inflation,rose 1.5 percent from a year earlier,the highest growth in nearly two years.     

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Manufacturing activities continue to lose steam as the purchasing managers index drops for the third consecutive month. The U.S.retail giant Best Buy trims its China presence after struggling to survive amidcut-throat competition. But an increasing number of U.S. companies are still expanding into China to cash in on the vibrant market. The aluminum behemoth Chalco jumps back into the black due to growing prices of thelight metal. China’s leading portal website Sina makes a push into the online shopping market by acquiring a stake in an online apparel retailer.     

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Fairing Well Where is China's crisis-stricken export market heading? The latest session of the China Import and Export Fair,known as the Canton Fair,a bellwether for the trade climate,could provide some clues.With more foreign buyers roaming the fair's vast halls,the bustling trade show is providing a vivid illustration that an export turnaround is already underway.