China’s next five-year economic development plan will be unveiled at its largely ceremonial national legislature, the National People’s Congress, on March 5. The plan, which covers 2026 to 2030, will likely outline the CPC’s aim to shift the Chinese economy toward boosting domestic consumption.
However, with high youth unemployment at home and an unpredictable global economic situation, the Chinese government is unlikely to give up on low-level consumption. This ...
Category: Economy
China’s Next Five-Year Plan and the Global South
China’s next five-year economic development plan will be unveiled at its largely ceremonial national legislature, the National People’s Congress, on March 5. The plan, which covers 2026 to 2030, will likely outline the CPC’s aim to shift the Chinese economy toward boosting domestic consumption.
Zimbabwe Says Fast-Tracked Ban Over Lithium Export Rush
Zimbabwe fast-tracked the entry of a ban on raw lithium exports last week after mining companies engaged in an "unacceptable scramble" to export ahead of the planned entry into force, the government said Tuesday. Securing access to rare earths and other ...
Shanghai Stocks Retreat from Decade High; HK Extends Losses on Mideast Conflict
Shanghai shares briefly touched a decade high before reversing to trade lower by midday on Tuesday, while Hong Kong stocks extended their decline, as the Middle East war dampened sentiment and fuelled risk aversion across regional markets. ** The U.S.-Israel ...
China E-Mobility Weekly Digest: Ethiopia’s EV Surge as African Countries Push Local E-Mobility
This is a free preview of the upcoming Africa EVs Weekly Digest, part of the new CGSP Intelligence service. Electric vehicle (EV) adoption sometimes feels like a see-saw, with some weeks showing progress and others regression. The reality is ...
The Three Faces of Chinese Investment in Southeast Asia: SOEs, POEs, and MNEs
In 2025, China remained a top-three source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Southeast Asia, following only the U.S. and intra-Southeast Asian flows. While much of the investment falls under the umbrella of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it is important to distinguish between broad ...
Latin America Split Over How to Counter China’s Steel Surge
Argentina terminated anti-dumping duties on Chinese aluminum foil, removing trade barriers that had restricted shipments from China and reopening the market to Chinese producers. The move marks a notable shift in South America’s trade posture toward Chinese industrial exports, even as ...
Congo’s Cobalt Curbs Expose China’s Critical Metals Weak Spot
By Andy Home China's dominance of critical mineral supply chains is not as absolute as it may appear. Cobalt is a case in point. China accounted for ...
WTO to Examine Chinese Complaint Over India Batteries, E-Vehicles
The World Trade Organization said Tuesday it would establish an expert panel to examine a Chinese complaint over Indian incentive schemes in the automotive and renewable energy sectors. The WTO said in a statement that its Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) had ...
Panama Wrests Control of Canal Ports From Hong Kong Group
Panamanian authorities took control of two ports on the Panama Canal from CK Hutchison on Monday after the Hong Kong-based conglomerate’s concession was annulled amid a row between the United States and China. The court ruling was the latest legal development affecting ...
CK Hutchison Says Panama Canal Port Workers Removed After Court-Ordered Takeover
Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison said on Tuesday that Panama authorities had threatened its employees with criminal prosecution if they defied orders to leave two strategic canal ports at the centre of a legal battle that has embroiled Beijing and Washington. ...
India and Brazil Strike Rare Earths Deal as Nations Seek Alternatives to China
By Abhaya Srivastava India and Brazil agreed to boost cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after talks in New Delhi with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
WEEK IN REVIEW: China, Russia, Iran Hold Naval Drills Near Hormuz
China joined Russia and Iran in joint naval drills near the Strait of Hormuz, deploying the guided-missile destroyer Urumqi and a supply ship. The exercises included maritime search-and-rescue and live-fire drills in waters critical to global oil shipments. (AL-MONITOR) The Philippines rebuked ...
China Slowdown Hits Rio Tinto Earnings Despite Revenue Gains
Mining giant Rio Tinto's net profit fell in 2025 as costs climbed and it took a hit from a slump in the Chinese economy, company results showed Thursday. The British-Australian firm said the results "demonstrate clear progress as we embed our ...









