ASIA: China’s official manufacturing PMI for May came in at 50.6, according to the country’s National Bureau of Statistics. A private survey released Monday also showed manufacturing activity in China unexpectedly expanding in May, with the Caixin/Markit manufacturing PMI coming in at 50.7 for that month. PMI readings above 50 signify expansion, while figures below […]

ASIA: China’s Parliament has backed security legislation for Hong Kong, which would make it a crime to undermine Beijing’s authority in the territory. Clashes broke out on Wednesday as Hong Kong’s Parliament debated a different proposed law, which would make it a crime to disrespect the Chinese national anthem. Hundreds of people were arrested in […]

COMMENT: Mr Armstrong: I had to write to tell you that you are absolutely right about two things in particular I have now seen one presented so thoroughly one sided I could not believe what I was reading. I was reading one of the blogs where they were condemning the so called climate change deniers […]

ASIA: Tensions between China and India over their Himalayan border have escalated, with China accused of moving thousands of troops into disputed territory and expanding a military airbase in the region. An online news agency reported that thousands of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) troops have moved into sensitive areas along the eastern Ladakh border. […]

ASIA: China’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday spoke highly of World Health Organization (WHO) member states’ adherence to the one-China principle, saying that this proved “Taiwan independence” will lead nowhere. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks after the World Health Assembly (WHA) decided not to discuss a proposal made by Taiwan authorities and a […]

ASIA: China has warned the US that stopping US government’s main pension fund from investing in Chinese equities will only hurt US investors. Trump administration officials linked the action to the coronavirus pandemic, which the US and Chinese governments have blamed on each other in increasingly bitter exchanges. The US Department of Homeland Security and […]

ASIA: China has suspended imports of red meat from four Australian abattoirs in a move analysts say was “politically motivated punishment” for Australia’s call for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19. The Chinese embassy in Canberra did not respond to a request for comment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will force additional checks on […]

ASIA: India’s Nifty 50 index could soon see Bharti Infratel, Vedanta Ltd, Zee Entertainment, Tata Motors, and GAIL India exit from the index owing to the low average free-float market capitalization, and replaced with other heavyweights. Top contenders to replace these shares in the Nifty 50 index include Radhakishan Damani’s Avenue Supermarts, API manufacturer Divi’s […]

ASIA: India identified 170 districts as hotspots including major metros – Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a set of guidelines that informs which services and practices are permitted in these areas during the next phase of lockdown which will continue till May 3, 2020. India has agreed […]

ASIA: India laid out plans for the gradual reopening of its economy that will permit some manufacturing, agricultural work, and other activities to resume on a limited basis after April 20, provided they are not in designated coronavirus hotspots. India’s top-down approach to implementing the initial countrywide lockdown was critical in slowing the rapid spread […]