China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged as expected at the monthly fixing on Friday.

China leaves rates unchanged, weak yuan limits easing

China’s short-term bond yields slumped further to reach the psychological milestone of 1% for the first time since the global financial crisis, as traders ramped up bets on monetary easing.

China one-year yield sinks to 1% for first time since 2009

Chinese banks in several cities have taken the unusual step of raising mortgage rates, Chinese media reported, underscoring concerns over their shrinking profit margins amid a faltering economic recovery.

Some Chinese banks raise mortgage rates as profits shrink, reports say

Hedge fund firm Segantii Capital Management and its founder Simon Sadler have pleaded not guilty to insider trading, setting the stage for a high-profile criminal trial in Hong Kong.

Segantii founder Sadler pleads not guilty to insider trading

China will accelerate the pace of agricultural and rural modernisation and stabilise grain planting area in its quest to ensure stable and high production of grains, state media reported on Wednesday, citing an annual rural policy meeting.

China to promote modernisation of farms in pledge to stabilise grain output

China and India took a further step towards easing their long-running border dispute on Wednesday, with senior officials holding formal talks for the first time in five years and committing to finding mutually acceptable solutions.

Chinese, Indian officials in talks to ease dispute over Himalayan border area

Fidelity International has shortened the subscription period of a Chinese onshore bond fund after hitting the sales target in less than two weeks, reflecting avid investor interest in China's surging bond market.

Fidelity's China bond fund hits sales target early amid investor frenzy

China's President Xi Jinping arrived in Macau on Wednesday to mark a quarter century of Beijing's rule over the former Portuguese enclave, and is likely during his three-day visit to urge Macau to further diversify from its casino industry.

Xi Jinping visits Macau to mark 25 years of Chinese rule

China’s central bank sent its first signal in months of its discomfort with the record-setting sovereign bond rally, triggering a slide in the market.

China pushes back against bond frenzy, sends yields climbing

Joblessness among the youth in Chinese cities eased for a third straight month in November after reaching its highest this year in August, official data showed on Wednesday.

China youth jobless rate falls for third straight month

Tesla's Shanghai plant manager Song Gang has left the company, according to a letter he sent to staff on Wednesday.

Tesla's China factory head Song Gang leaves company, letter to staff shows

Chinese leaders agreed last week to raise the budget deficit to 4% of gross domestic product (GDP) next year, its highest on record, while maintaining an economic growth target of around 5%, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.

China plans record budget deficit of 4% of GDP in 2025 — Reuters

Chinese Premier Li Qiang urged government officials to swiftly carry out key economic tasks for the coming year, after top leaders signaled stronger stimulus for 2025.

China’s premier calls for urgency in implementing economic work

China executed a former official from Inner Mongolia over corruption charges totalling about RMB3 billion (RM1.83 billion), a rare use of the death penalty for graft that comes with President Xi Jinping’s sweeping campaign to cleanse the Communist Party intensifying.

China executes former official in US$412 mil corruption case

(Dec 21): The Biden administration is mulling exempting Mexico from tariffs on imported solar equipment, a last-minute change that would primarily benefit Maxeon Solar Technologies Ltd.

Biden mulls tariff break for solar modules from Mexico

Among all precious gems, diamonds are one of the most sought after and prominent — for good reason. It is their rarity, durability and beauty that inspire the managing director of jewellery company Tomei, Datuk Ng Yih Pyng, to keep them as the focus of his star label, Le Lumiere. With over 30 years of experience under his belt, he has witnessed his fair share of industry evolutions. As technology progresses and diamond reserves begin to run dry, a new competitor — lab-grown stones — has entered the market. What does this mean for the stability of the natural gemstone trade, and what can consumers expect to see in the coming year? Ng gives us his thoughts.

Light fantastic

Lion Group’s property division, Lion Group Property, is looking to expand its industrial park portfolio, says the conglomerate’s executive chairman Tan Sri William Cheng.

Moving further into industrial parks

Pahang Islamic Affairs, Rural Development, and Orang Asli Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad has confirmed that a video alleging the allocation of durian plantation land in Pahang to retired soldiers is fake.

Video alleging durian land allocation is actually Skim Tanah Rakyat land rights handover, says Pahang MP's rep

The launch of a new direct route from Chennai to Penang, via IndiGo, commencing on Saturday, marks a significant milestone in enhancing connectivity, generating economic opportunities, and solidifying Penang’s position as a regional air travel hub.

Direct route from Chennai elevates Penang as key regional air travel hub, says exco

The world’s biggest stablecoin issuer, Tether Holdings Ltd, is on track to close the year with more than US$10 billion (RM45.07 billion) in net profits, chief executive officer Paolo Ardoino said in an interview.

World’s largest stablecoin issuer Tether sees US$10b in net profits for 2024

BNP Paribas SA finalised the €5.1 billion (US$5.3 billion or RM24.0 billion) purchase of Axa SA’s asset management unit, in the biggest acquisition under chief executive officer Jean-Laurent Bonnafe.

BNP Paribas signs €5.1b deal to buy Axa’s asset manager

At least five people were killed in a car-ramming attack at a German Christmas market in the city of Magdeburg that also left more than 200 injured, officials said, and a Saudi man was arrested on suspicion of driving a car into the crowd.

Death toll in German Christmas market car-ramming rises to five, more than 200 injured

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pursuit of closer ties with China has raised private questions from Donald Trump’s incoming administration, European diplomats and even some senior British officials.

UK's Starmer is deepening China ties while allies turn away

The US Congress passed spending legislation early on Saturday in a down-to-the wire burst of activity that will avert a destabilising government shutdown ahead of the busy holiday travel season.

US Senate passes govt funding bill, averts shutdown

Lion Group’s property division, Lion Group Property, is looking to expand its industrial park portfolio, says the conglomerate’s executive chairman Tan Sri William Cheng.

Among all precious gems, diamonds are one of the most sought after and prominent —&nbsp;for good reason. It is their rarity, durability and beauty that inspire&nbsp;the managing director of jewellery company Tomei, Datuk Ng Yih Pyng, to keep them as the focus of his star label, Le Lumiere. With over 30 years of experience under his belt, he has witnessed his fair share of industry evolutions. As technology progresses and diamond reserves begin to run dry, a new competitor — lab-grown stones — has entered the market. What does this mean for the stability of the natural gemstone trade, and what can consumers expect to see in the coming year? Ng gives us his thoughts.

(Dec 21):&nbsp;The Biden administration is mulling exempting Mexico from tariffs on imported solar equipment, a last-minute change that would primarily benefit Maxeon Solar Technologies Ltd.&nbsp;

China Focus

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China Focus

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