China's GDP has expanded by 3.2% in the second quarter of the year. The data released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed recovery from a historic contraction.

Economy rebounds in China: GDP has expanded 3.2% in second quarter

China's consumer inflation climbed to nearly eight-year peaks in November as pork prices doubled, but factory-gate prices remained in the red, adding to uncertainty over whether the manufacturing sector is bottoming out as trade risks persist.

Beijing is under pressure to unleash more stimulus to boost industrial activity, but high inflation ahead of the Lunar New Year may be a headache for policymakers trying to shore up growth that has slipped to the lowest in nearly 30 years.

Consumer prices in November rose 4.5&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;on year, the fastest pace seen since January 2012, driven mostly by a surge in pork prices as African Swine Fever ravaged the country's hog herds, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-factory-prices-fall-faster-as-weak-demand-hits-economy-248722">National Bureau of Statistics </a>(NBS) data showed on Tuesday. That topped analysts' expectations of 4.2&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;and October's 3.8 per cent&nbsp;rise.

However, core inflation - which excludes food and energy prices stayed largely subdued.

"The high CPI would surely have an impact on&nbsp;China's monetary policy, but overall we don't see risks of inflation spike across the board, so current monetary policy with a loosening bias will not be significantly affected," said Liu Xuezhi, an analyst with Bank of Communications.

In contrast, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-consumer-price-index-at-lowest-level-in-a-year-202191">producer price index </a>(PPI), seen as a key indicator of corporate profitability, fell 1.4 per cent&nbsp;on year, falling for the fifth month in a row. That compared with a 1.5&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;drop forecast in a Reuters poll and 1.6 per cent&nbsp;fall in October.

Price declines for manufactured goods suggest demand remains weak, despite hints of improvement in recent factory surveys.

"There are few signs of a pick-up in demand-side price pressures," said Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior&nbsp;China&nbsp;economist at Capital Economics. "Higher prices of consumer goods in the PPI basket, one component of which is food, were more than offset by more pronounced declines in the prices of industrial goods."

Weak prices were mainly seen in oil and gas extraction and chemical fiber manufacturing sectors.

Beijing and Washington are negotiating a first phase trade deal aimed at de-escalating their trade dispute but they continue to wrangle over key details. But even if a deal is struck, economic growth is expected to continue slowing in the current and coming quarters, however. Government advisers said&nbsp;China&nbsp;should lower its growth target to around 6&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in 2020 as the trade dispute remains unresolved.

China&nbsp;has rolled out a series of measures to support growth, including reductions in market interest rates, but the government has insisted it will not resort to "flood-like" stimulus, however.

Consumer inflation was driven largely by a continued surge in pork prices and other meats after the African Swine Fever killed a large portion of&nbsp;China's pigs.

Wholesale pork prices have seen a slight reprieve in November but remain elevated from a year earlier. The statistics bureau said pork prices more than doubled year-on-year in November.

Analysts expect pork will remain in high demand as&nbsp;China&nbsp;prepares to celebrate the Lunar New Year, the peak consumption period for the meat. Retail pork prices hovered at around 55 yuan ($7.81) per kg in November, according to agriculture ministry data.

Climbing consumer prices are adding to the headaches of policymakers who are racing to meet Beijing's annual growth target as the world's second-largest economy slows to the lower end of a 6 per cent-6.5&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;range for 2019.

However, core CPI for November remained benign at 1.4 per cent, down from 1.5 per cent&nbsp;in the previous month. For the full year of 2019,&nbsp;China&nbsp;is aiming for a CPI target of around 3 per cent. It rose 2.8&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in the January-November period.

Many&nbsp;China&nbsp;watchers also predict that pork price inflation may be close to a peak as recent policies to stabilise production and support the recovery of the pig herd have begun to show results.

"The month-on-month CPI saw a big drop in November and food price inflation might be 'a spent bullet'. Overall consumer inflation will likely trend down from Q2 next year," said Wang Jun, chief economist at Zhongyuan Bank in Beijing.

Despite inflation risks,&nbsp;China's central bank has slowly picked up its tempo of policy easing since late last month by cutting key Chinese rates, suggesting Beijing is keen to push ahead with lowering financing costs across the curve.

China's central bank governor Yi Gang said this month that Beijing would maintain "normal" monetary policy as long as possible since economic growth is still within a reasonable range and inflation is mild overall.

China's consumer inflation climbed to nearly eight-year peaks in November as pork prices doubled, but factory-gate prices remained in the red, adding to uncertainty over whether the manufacturing sector is bottoming out as trade risks persist.

China's consumer inflation climbed to nearly eight-year peaks in November as pork prices doubled, but factory-gate prices remained in the red, adding to uncertainty over whether the manufacturing sector is bottoming out as trade risks persist. Beijing is under pressure to unleash more stimulus to boost industrial activity, but high inflation ahead of the Lunar New Year may be a headache for policymakers trying to shore up growth that has slipped to the lowest in nearly 30 years. Consumer prices in November rose 4.5 per cent on year, the fastest pace seen since January 2012, driven mostly by a surge in pork prices as African Swine Fever ravaged the country's hog herds, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) data showed on Tuesday. That topped analysts' expectations of 4.2 per cent and October's 3.8 per cent rise. However, core inflation - which excludes food and energy prices stayed largely subdued. "The high CPI would surely have an impact on China's monetary policy, but overall we don't see risks of inflation spike across the board, so current monetary policy with a loosening bias will not be significantly affected," said Liu Xuezhi, an analyst with Bank of Communications. In contrast, the producer price index (PPI), seen as a key indicator of corporate profitability, fell 1.4 per cent on year, falling for the fifth month in a row. That compared with a 1.5 per cent drop forecast in a Reuters poll and 1.6 per cent fall in October. Price declines for manufactured goods suggest demand remains weak, despite hints of improvement in recent factory surveys. "There are few signs of a pick-up in demand-side price pressures," said Julian Evans-Pritchard, senior China economist at Capital Economics. "Higher prices of consumer goods in the PPI basket, one component of which is food, were more than offset by more pronounced declines in the prices of industrial goods." Weak prices were mainly seen in oil and gas extraction and chemical fiber manufacturing sectors. Beijing and Washington are negotiating a first phase trade deal aimed at de-escalating their trade dispute but they continue to wrangle over key details. But even if a deal is struck, economic growth is expected to continue slowing in the current and coming quarters, however. Government advisers said China should lower its growth target to around 6 per cent in 2020 as the trade dispute remains unresolved. China has rolled out a series of measures to support growth, including reductions in market interest rates, but the government has insisted it will not resort to "flood-like" stimulus, however. Consumer inflation was driven largely by a continued surge in pork prices and other meats after the African Swine Fever killed a large portion of China's pigs. Wholesale pork prices have seen a slight reprieve in November but remain elevated from a year earlier. The statistics bureau said pork prices more than doubled year-on-year in November. Analysts expect pork will remain in high demand as China prepares to celebrate the Lunar New Year, the peak consumption period for the meat. Retail pork prices hovered at around 55 yuan ($7.81) per kg in November, according to agriculture ministry data. Climbing consumer prices are adding to the headaches of policymakers who are racing to meet Beijing's annual growth target as the world's second-largest economy slows to the lower end of a 6 per cent-6.5 per cent range for 2019. However, core CPI for November remained benign at 1.4 per cent, down from 1.5 per cent in the previous month. For the full year of 2019, China is aiming for a CPI target of around 3 per cent. It rose 2.8 per cent in the January-November period. Many China watchers also predict that pork price inflation may be close to a peak as recent policies to stabilise production and support the recovery of the pig herd have begun to show results. "The month-on-month CPI saw a big drop in November and food price inflation might be 'a spent bullet'. Overall consumer inflation will likely trend down from Q2 next year," said Wang Jun, chief economist at Zhongyuan Bank in Beijing. Despite inflation risks, China's central bank has slowly picked up its tempo of policy easing since late last month by cutting key Chinese rates, suggesting Beijing is keen to push ahead with lowering financing costs across the curve. China's central bank governor Yi Gang said this month that Beijing would maintain "normal" monetary policy as long as possible since economic growth is still within a reasonable range and inflation is mild overall.

China's consumer inflation at eight-year high, but PPI stuck in the red

China's economy expanded at its slowest rate in nearly three decades in the third quarter, hit by cooling domestic demand and a protracted US trade war, official data showed Friday.

The Chinese economy grew 6.0 per cent in July-September, compared with 6.2 per cent in the second quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The reading -- in line with an AFP survey of 13 analysts -- is the worst quarterly figure since 1992 but within the government's target range of 6.0-6.5 per cent for the whole year.

The economy grew at 6.6 per cent in 2018.

"The national economy maintained overall stability in the first three quarters," said NBS spokesman Mao Shengyong.

"However, we must be aware that given the complicated and severe economic conditions both at home and abroad, the slowing global economic growth, and increasing external instabilities and uncertainties, the economy is under mounting downward pressure."

Services and high-tech manufacturing were the key areas of growth, while employment was "generally stable", he added.

Propping up economy

Beijing has stepped up support for the economy with major tax and rate cuts and has scrapped foreign investment restrictions in its stock market.

In its latest measure to shore up growth, the central bank said Wednesday it was pumping 200 billion yuan ($28 billion) into the financial system through its medium-term lending facility to banks, which is designed to maintain liquidity in the market.

But the efforts have not been enough to offset the blow from softening demand at home.

The trade conflict and weak domestic demand prompted the International Monetary Fund to lower its 2019 growth forecast for China from 6.2 per cent to 6.1 per cent on Tuesday.

The long-running trade war with the US has also chipped away at the Chinese economy.

This week, China reported weaker-than-expected import and export figures for September after Washington imposed new tariffs that month, triggering a tit-for-tat response from Beijing.

There were mixed signals for the economy in September.

Industrial output rose 5.8 per cent, from 4.4 per cent in August, led by a surge in demand for solar panels and electric vehicles, according to the NBS.

But fixed-asset investment slid to 5.4 per cent on-year in January-September, from 5.5 per cent in January-August, as the government warned against risky borrowing to build roads and bridges that could artificially pump up GDP in the short run.

China's army of consumers were slowly starting to open their wallets again, with retail sales edging up 7.8 per cent on-year in September, compared with 7.5 per cent in August.

"Despite a stronger September, pressure on the economic activity should intensify in the coming months," said Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics in a note.

He said he expects infrastructure spending to decline as China tries to rein in toxic debt and says the recent boom in property development "looks set to unwind".

"We expect monetary policy to be loosened before long in response, but it will take time for this to put a floor beneath economic growth," he added.

Let's make a deal

A "phase one" deal announced by US President Donald Trump last Friday after he met China's top negotiator Liu He in Washington offered a temporary reprieve from further tariff hikes.

But it did not roll back any of the stinging tariffs already imposed on hundreds of billions of dollars in trade between the economic powers, nor did it address another round of import taxes planned for December.

"A limited agreement will not resolve the underlying areas of disagreement between the two sides as long-term divergence in US and China national interest remains across trade, technology, investment and geopolitics," said Michael Taylor, a managing director for Moody's Investors Service.

"We expect further rounds of negotiation to remain challenging, with further potential for financial markets volatility."

China's commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng said Thursday that its negotiators have "accelerated efforts" to hammer out the details of this mini-deal, and the two sides were aiming for an "early agreement".

Trump had said Wednesday that he hopes to sign the deal with his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Chile next month.

But Gao declined to offer details on whether the text of the partial deal, or a full agreement, would be ready before the mid-November deadline.

China's economy expanded at its slowest rate in nearly three decades in the third quarter, hit by cooling domestic demand and a protracted US trade war, official data showed Friday.

China's economy expanded at its slowest rate in nearly three decades in the third quarter, hit by cooling domestic demand and a protracted US trade war, official data showed Friday. The Chinese economy grew 6.0 per cent in July-September, compared with 6.2 per cent in the second quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The reading -- in line with an AFP survey of 13 analysts -- is the worst quarterly figure since 1992 but within the government's target range of 6.0-6.5 per cent for the whole year. The economy grew at 6.6 per cent in 2018. "The national economy maintained overall stability in the first three quarters," said NBS spokesman Mao Shengyong. "However, we must be aware that given the complicated and severe economic conditions both at home and abroad, the slowing global economic growth, and increasing external instabilities and uncertainties, the economy is under mounting downward pressure." Services and high-tech manufacturing were the key areas of growth, while employment was "generally stable", he added. Propping up economy Beijing has stepped up support for the economy with major tax and rate cuts and has scrapped foreign investment restrictions in its stock market. In its latest measure to shore up growth, the central bank said Wednesday it was pumping 200 billion yuan ($28 billion) into the financial system through its medium-term lending facility to banks, which is designed to maintain liquidity in the market. But the efforts have not been enough to offset the blow from softening demand at home. The trade conflict and weak domestic demand prompted the International Monetary Fund to lower its 2019 growth forecast for China from 6.2 per cent to 6.1 per cent on Tuesday. The long-running trade war with the US has also chipped away at the Chinese economy. This week, China reported weaker-than-expected import and export figures for September after Washington imposed new tariffs that month, triggering a tit-for-tat response from Beijing. There were mixed signals for the economy in September. Industrial output rose 5.8 per cent, from 4.4 per cent in August, led by a surge in demand for solar panels and electric vehicles, according to the NBS. But fixed-asset investment slid to 5.4 per cent on-year in January-September, from 5.5 per cent in January-August, as the government warned against risky borrowing to build roads and bridges that could artificially pump up GDP in the short run. China's army of consumers were slowly starting to open their wallets again, with retail sales edging up 7.8 per cent on-year in September, compared with 7.5 per cent in August. "Despite a stronger September, pressure on the economic activity should intensify in the coming months," said Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics in a note. He said he expects infrastructure spending to decline as China tries to rein in toxic debt and says the recent boom in property development "looks set to unwind". "We expect monetary policy to be loosened before long in response, but it will take time for this to put a floor beneath economic growth," he added. Let's make a deal A "phase one" deal announced by US President Donald Trump last Friday after he met China's top negotiator Liu He in Washington offered a temporary reprieve from further tariff hikes. But it did not roll back any of the stinging tariffs already imposed on hundreds of billions of dollars in trade between the economic powers, nor did it address another round of import taxes planned for December. "A limited agreement will not resolve the underlying areas of disagreement between the two sides as long-term divergence in US and China national interest remains across trade, technology, investment and geopolitics," said Michael Taylor, a managing director for Moody's Investors Service. "We expect further rounds of negotiation to remain challenging, with further potential for financial markets volatility." China's commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng said Thursday that its negotiators have "accelerated efforts" to hammer out the details of this mini-deal, and the two sides were aiming for an "early agreement". Trump had said Wednesday that he hopes to sign the deal with his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Chile next month. But Gao declined to offer details on whether the text of the partial deal, or a full agreement, would be ready before the mid-November deadline.

China's Q3 GDP growth slumps to 6%, slowest in two decades

The prices Chinese firms pay factories for their goods fell last month at the fastest pace in three years, official data showed Tuesday, as slackening demand and the bruising US trade war drag on the economy.

The prices Chinese firms pay factories for their goods fell last month at the fastest pace in three years, official data showed Tuesday, as slackening demand and the bruising US trade war drag on the economy. Consumer prices were also broadly subdued and only supported by a surge of almost 50 percent in the price of pork caused by African swine fever that has ravaged the country's pig industry. The producer price index (PPI) -- an important barometer of the industrial sector that measures the cost of goods at the factory gate -- dropped 0.8 percent on-year in August, following a 0.3 percent drop in July. A slowdown in factory gate inflation reflects sluggish demand, while a turn to deflation could dent corporate profits and drag on the world's number two economy, which in turn could lead to a drop in prices globally. While the figure from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) marked the second consecutive month of decline, it was slightly better than the 0.9 percent fall forecast in a Bloomberg News survey. Last month was the first time the PPI had fallen into negative territory since August 2016. Petroleum and natural gas mining, and coal and other fuel-processing sectors led the drop, NBS official Shen Yun said in a statement, indicating weakness in manufacturing. However, consumer price index (CPI) -- a gauge of retail inflation -- rose 2.8 percent last month, stabilising from July and beating forecasts. But while meat and egg prices rose as traditional Chinese mid-autumn festival approaches, pork was the key driver, shooting up 46.7 percent on-year owing to a shortage in supply of the staple, Shen said. The country's pig industry has taken a heavy hit from a mass outbreak of African swine fever that has seen huge amounts of the animals culled in recent months, causing China to begin relying on imports. Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said that further easing measures are likely as pressure in demand and factory-gate deflation deepens. "Weakening demand dragged producer price inflation further into negative territory last month while surging pork prices kept consumer price inflation elevated," he said in a note. "With demand-side pressures on prices increasingly subdued, we think that further monetary easing is on the horizon." The People's Bank of China on Friday said it would cut the amount of cash lenders must keep in reserve saying it would help release more than $100 billion into the stuttering economy. China also confirmed last week a new round of trade talks will be held in Washington in early October, in an attempt to patch up the trade tensions between the world's two biggest economies.

China's factory prices fall faster as weak demand hits economy

Factory activity in China shrank in August for the fourth month in a row as the United States ramped up trade pressure and domestic demand remained sluggish, pointing to a further slowdown in the world's second-largest economy.

Factory activity in China shrank in August for the fourth month in a row as the United States ramped up trade pressure and domestic demand remained sluggish, pointing to a further slowdown in the world's second-largest economy. Persistent weakness in China's vast manufacturing sector could fuel expectations that Beijing needs to roll out stimulus more quickly, and more aggressively, to weather the biggest downturn in decades. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 49.5 in August, China's National Bureau of Statistics said on Saturday, versus 49.7 in July, below the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction every month. A poll showed analysts expected the August PMI to stay unchanged from the previous month. The official factory gauge showed growing trade frictions with the United States and cooling global demand continued to wreak havoc on China's exporters. Export orders fell for the 15th straight month in August, although at a slower pace, with the sub-index picking up to 47.2 from July's 46.9. Total new orders from home and abroad also continued to fall, indicating domestic demand remains soft, despite a flurry of growth-boosting measures over the past year. "Front-loading of exports to the US ahead of higher tariffs supported trade and overall activity growth, but this effect will likely fade in the next few months," said analysts at Goldman Sachs in a note. Manufacturers in consumption-oriented industries such as the auto sector have been especially vulnerable. Carmakers such as Geely and Great Wall have slashed expectations for sales and profits. The data showed activity at medium- and small-sized firms contracted, even as large manufacturers, many backed by the government, managed to expand in August. Factories continued to shed jobs in August amid the uncertain business outlook. The employment sub-index dropped to 46.9, compared with 47.1 in July. ESCALATIONS August saw dramatic escalations in the bitter year-long Sino-U.S. trade row, with President Donald Trump announcing early in the month that he would impose new tariffs on Chinese goods from Sept. 1, and China letting its yuan currency sharply weaken days later. After Beijing hit back with retaliatory tariffs, Trump said existing levies would also be raised in the coming months. The combined moves now effectively cover all of China's exports to the United States. Trump said late on Friday that trade teams from both sides continue to talk and will meet in September, but tariff increases on Chinese goods set to go into effect on Sunday will not be delayed. The US president had said earlier in the week that China wants to reach a deal 'very badly', citing what he described as increasing economic pressure on Beijing and job losses. But most analysts are highly doubtful of an end to the dispute any time soon, and some have recently cut growth forecasts for China in the coming quarters. The sudden deterioration in trade ties has prompted speculation over whether China needs to roll out more forceful measures to keep growth from sliding below 6 per cent this year, the bottom end of its target range of around 6.0-6.5 per cent. Analysts widely expect Beijing will cut some of its major lending rates in September for the first time in four years to help stabilise growth. But sources had told Reuters before the latest trade escalations that big benchmark rate cuts were considered a last resort, as policymakers worry that could fuel a further build-up in debt and squeeze bank's profit margins, heightening financial sector risks. So far, Beijing has relied on a combination of fiscal stimulus and monetary easing to deal with the economic slowdown, including hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure spending and tax cuts for companies. But analysts note infrastructure investment growth has remained subdued despite the earlier pump-priming measures, underlining the need for additional support. Services growth Growth in China's services sector activity picked up for the first time in five months in August, with the official numbers from a separate business survey rising to 53.8 from 53.7 in August. Beijing has been relying on a strong service sector to cushion some of the economic impacts of trade uncertainties and sluggish manufacturing activities. However, despite the higher overall figure, activity in the property industry contracted, the statistics bureau said in a statement. The services sector has been propped up by Chinese consumers' rising wages and robust spending power in recent years. However, the sector softened late last year amid a broader slowdown.

China's factory activity shrinks for fourth month as trade woes deepen

China's birth rate in several regions, including the capital Beijing, fell again in 2018, the official China Daily said on Friday, despite government efforts to encourage couples to have more children.

Alarmed by the rapid ageing of its population, China relaxed its controversial "one-child policy" in 2016, allowing all couples to have two children instead of just one.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-china-chemical-plant-blast-rises-to-12-204752">Also read:&nbsp;Death toll from east China factory blast jumps to 47, over 600 injured</a>

The change has failed to reverse what demographers say is a long-term trend of falling birth rates fuelled by growing prosperity and concerns about the high cost of raising children.

Beijing's birth rate fell to 8.24 per 1,000 people in 2018 compared to 9.06 in the previous year, China Daily said, citing figures from local authorities.

In the financial capital Shanghai, the birth rate dropped to 7.2 per 1,000, from 8.1 in 2017.

Beijing's total population fell for a second straight year in 2018, dropping 170,000 to 21.54 million people, though the decline could also be due to new policies aimed at shifting "non-capital functions" out of the city, China Daily said.

The birth rate in Liaoning, a rustbelt province where the population has dropped in recent years due to an exodus of young people, fell to 6.39 per 1,000, from 6.49 in 2017.

China recorded 15.23 million births last year, down 2 million from 2017 and the second consecutive annual decline, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Marriage rates are also falling throughout China, with the ratio of newly-registered marriages in the total population down to 0.72 per cent last year from 0.99 per cent in 2013, NBS data showed.

China's ageing problem was on the minds of delegates to the annual session of parliament this month, where some called for radical new measures to encourage new births.

Think tanks expect China's population to peak at 1.4 billion in 2029 and then begin an "unstoppable" decline that could reduce the workforce by as many as 200 million people by the middle of the century.

By 2050, China's dwindling number of workers will be under pressure to support more than 400 million people aged 60 or over, putting the country's pension, health and social service provisions under immense strain, experts say.

China's birth rate in several regions, including the capital Beijing, fell again in 2018, the official China Daily said on Friday, despite government efforts to encourage couples to have more children.

China's birth rate in several regions, including the capital Beijing, fell again in 2018, the official China Daily said on Friday, despite government efforts to encourage couples to have more children. Alarmed by the rapid ageing of its population, China relaxed its controversial "one-child policy" in 2016, allowing all couples to have two children instead of just one. Also read: Death toll from east China factory blast jumps to 47, over 600 injured The change has failed to reverse what demographers say is a long-term trend of falling birth rates fuelled by growing prosperity and concerns about the high cost of raising children. Beijing's birth rate fell to 8.24 per 1,000 people in 2018 compared to 9.06 in the previous year, China Daily said, citing figures from local authorities. In the financial capital Shanghai, the birth rate dropped to 7.2 per 1,000, from 8.1 in 2017. Beijing's total population fell for a second straight year in 2018, dropping 170,000 to 21.54 million people, though the decline could also be due to new policies aimed at shifting "non-capital functions" out of the city, China Daily said. The birth rate in Liaoning, a rustbelt province where the population has dropped in recent years due to an exodus of young people, fell to 6.39 per 1,000, from 6.49 in 2017. China recorded 15.23 million births last year, down 2 million from 2017 and the second consecutive annual decline, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Marriage rates are also falling throughout China, with the ratio of newly-registered marriages in the total population down to 0.72 per cent last year from 0.99 per cent in 2013, NBS data showed. China's ageing problem was on the minds of delegates to the annual session of parliament this month, where some called for radical new measures to encourage new births. Think tanks expect China's population to peak at 1.4 billion in 2029 and then begin an "unstoppable" decline that could reduce the workforce by as many as 200 million people by the middle of the century. By 2050, China's dwindling number of workers will be under pressure to support more than 400 million people aged 60 or over, putting the country's pension, health and social service provisions under immense strain, experts say.

China birth rates fall in several regions in 2018: Report

Factory activity in China contracted to a three-year low in February as export orders fell at the fastest pace since the global financial crisis, highlighting deepening cracks in an economy facing weak demand at home and abroad.

The gloomy findings are likely to reinforce views that the world's second-largest economy is still losing steam, after growth last year cooled to a nearly 30-year low.

Even with increasing government stimulus to spur activity, concerns are growing that China may be at risk of a sharper slowdown if current <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-raises-hopes-of-trade-deal-on-final-day-of-us-china-talks-199416">Sino-US trade talks </a>fail to relieve some of the pressure.

The official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell for the third straight month, dropping to 49.2 in February from 49.5 in January, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday. The 50-mark separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis.

Analysts surveyed by Reuters had forecast the gauge would stay unchanged from January's 49.5.

"Unless the trade war truly turns into an extended truce, the weakening trend may not end quickly," Iris Pang, Greater China economist at ING, said in a note. "As such we expect March's PMI to fall, too."

Manufacturing output contracted in February for the first time since January 2009, during the depths of the global crisis. A breakdown of the survey's findings showed the output sub-index fell to 49.5 from 50.9 the previous month.

Manufacturers also continued to cut jobs, a trend Beijing is closely watching as its weighs more support measures.

New export orders shrank for a ninth straight month, and at a sharper rate, amid faltering global demand. The sub-index fell to 45.2, the lowest since February 2009, from 46.9 in January.

But total new orders -- an indicator of future activity -- edged back into expansionary territory, suggesting some improvement in domestic demand. The sub-index rose to 50.6 from 49.6 in January, after falling for two consecutive months.

However, China watchers typically advise caution over interpreting the country's economic data early in the year because of the timing of the week-long Lunar New Year holidays.

Many firms scale back operations or close for long periods around the holidays, which began on February 4 this year. But workers, business owners and labour activists have told Reuters that companies have shut earlier than usual as the trade war bites, with some likely to close for good.

Ford Motor Co's joint venture in China has quietly begun dismissing thousands of its workers due to weak auto sales in the world’s second-largest economy, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.

Record lending by Chinese banks in January and a sharp rebound in its stock markets have lifted some of the gloom hanging over its economy.

But analysts say it will take months to see if the strong credit impulse translates into improved business activity, assuming companies are borrowing for fresh expansion or investment, not merely refinancing existing debt.

Some economists believe growth could even dip below 6 per cent in the first half -- from 6.4 per cent in the fourth quarter -- before stabilising later in the year as a series of support measures in 2018 and 2019 begin to take effect.

Uncertainty also hangs over ongoing China-US trade talks.

President Donald Trump said on Monday that he may soon sign a deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping to end the countries' trade war, if the two sides can bridge remaining differences

But the lead US negotiator said on Wednesday it was too early to predict the outcome.

US issues with China are "too serious" to be resolved with promises from Beijing to purchase more US goods and any deal between the two countries must include a way to ensure commitments are met, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said.

Growth in China's services industry also cooled in February after rebounding for two straight months, another sign of strain as consumers turn more cautious about spending.

Factory activity in China contracted to a three-year low in February as export orders fell at the fastest pace since the global financial crisis, highlighting deepening cracks in an economy facing weak demand at home and abroad.

Factory activity in China contracted to a three-year low in February as export orders fell at the fastest pace since the global financial crisis, highlighting deepening cracks in an economy facing weak demand at home and abroad. The gloomy findings are likely to reinforce views that the world's second-largest economy is still losing steam, after growth last year cooled to a nearly 30-year low. Even with increasing government stimulus to spur activity, concerns are growing that China may be at risk of a sharper slowdown if current Sino-US trade talks fail to relieve some of the pressure. The official Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell for the third straight month, dropping to 49.2 in February from 49.5 in January, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday. The 50-mark separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis. Analysts surveyed by Reuters had forecast the gauge would stay unchanged from January's 49.5. "Unless the trade war truly turns into an extended truce, the weakening trend may not end quickly," Iris Pang, Greater China economist at ING, said in a note. "As such we expect March's PMI to fall, too." Manufacturing output contracted in February for the first time since January 2009, during the depths of the global crisis. A breakdown of the survey's findings showed the output sub-index fell to 49.5 from 50.9 the previous month. Manufacturers also continued to cut jobs, a trend Beijing is closely watching as its weighs more support measures. New export orders shrank for a ninth straight month, and at a sharper rate, amid faltering global demand. The sub-index fell to 45.2, the lowest since February 2009, from 46.9 in January. But total new orders -- an indicator of future activity -- edged back into expansionary territory, suggesting some improvement in domestic demand. The sub-index rose to 50.6 from 49.6 in January, after falling for two consecutive months. However, China watchers typically advise caution over interpreting the country's economic data early in the year because of the timing of the week-long Lunar New Year holidays. Many firms scale back operations or close for long periods around the holidays, which began on February 4 this year. But workers, business owners and labour activists have told Reuters that companies have shut earlier than usual as the trade war bites, with some likely to close for good. Ford Motor Co's joint venture in China has quietly begun dismissing thousands of its workers due to weak auto sales in the world’s second-largest economy, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. Record lending by Chinese banks in January and a sharp rebound in its stock markets have lifted some of the gloom hanging over its economy. But analysts say it will take months to see if the strong credit impulse translates into improved business activity, assuming companies are borrowing for fresh expansion or investment, not merely refinancing existing debt. Some economists believe growth could even dip below 6 per cent in the first half -- from 6.4 per cent in the fourth quarter -- before stabilising later in the year as a series of support measures in 2018 and 2019 begin to take effect. Uncertainty also hangs over ongoing China-US trade talks. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he may soon sign a deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping to end the countries' trade war, if the two sides can bridge remaining differences But the lead US negotiator said on Wednesday it was too early to predict the outcome. US issues with China are "too serious" to be resolved with promises from Beijing to purchase more US goods and any deal between the two countries must include a way to ensure commitments are met, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said. Growth in China's services industry also cooled in February after rebounding for two straight months, another sign of strain as consumers turn more cautious about spending.

China February factory activity shrinks to three-year low, export orders worst in a decade

A total of 1.50 lakh people were pulled out of poverty last year, bringing the impoverished population in the region from 5.90 lakh in 2015 to 3.30 lakh, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Monday.

A total of 16.7 billion yuan ($ 2.6 billion) was invested in 2017 to help locals increase income, relocate and support the development of over 1,700 anti-poverty projects in the region, the report said.

People, in a total of 2,440 villages still live in dire poverty in Tibet, and the region plans to invest 11.7 billion yuan this year to lift another 2,100 villages out of poverty, the report said.

It also aims for an annual growth of 16 per cent in disposable income for people living under the poverty line, which is defined as a per capita annual income of 2,300 yuan at 2010 prices.

More than 85 per cent of the land in Tibet is located more than 4,000 metres above sea level, the report said.

The region will also continue to expand social security coverage to improve living conditions for people with disabilities, no income, inability to work, as well as for teenagers under 16 and senior people above 60.

There were around 30 million Chinese still living below the national poverty line at the end of last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

A total of 1.50 lakh people were pulled out of poverty last year, bringing the impoverished population in the region from 5.90 lakh in 2015 to 3.30 lakh

A total of 1.50 lakh people were pulled out of poverty last year, bringing the impoverished population in the region from 5.90 lakh in 2015 to 3.30 lakh, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Monday. A total of 16.7 billion yuan ($ 2.6 billion) was invested in 2017 to help locals increase income, relocate and support the development of over 1,700 anti-poverty projects in the region, the report said. People, in a total of 2,440 villages still live in dire poverty in Tibet, and the region plans to invest 11.7 billion yuan this year to lift another 2,100 villages out of poverty, the report said. It also aims for an annual growth of 16 per cent in disposable income for people living under the poverty line, which is defined as a per capita annual income of 2,300 yuan at 2010 prices. More than 85 per cent of the land in Tibet is located more than 4,000 metres above sea level, the report said. The region will also continue to expand social security coverage to improve living conditions for people with disabilities, no income, inability to work, as well as for teenagers under 16 and senior people above 60. There were around 30 million Chinese still living below the national poverty line at the end of last year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

3.30 lakh people live in dire poverty in Tibet: Report

Manufacturing activity in China expanded at its fastest pace in more than two years last month on improving production and demand, an official measure showed Tuesday, boding well for the world&#39;s second-largest economy.

Investors closely watch the purchasing managers&#39; index (PMI), which gauges conditions at factories and mines, as the first indicator of the health of the economy each month.

The PMI came in at 51.2 for October, its highest since July 2014, figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed.

It rose from September&#39;s 50.4 and was well ahead of the median forecast of 50.3 in a Bloomberg News survey of economists.&nbsp;

A figure above 50 signals expanding activity, while anything below demonstrates shrinkage.&nbsp;

&quot;Production and market demand is picking up again, accelerating expansion,&quot; NBS analyst Zhao Qinghe said in a statement.

But Zhao added that downward pressures remain on imports and exports due to the sluggish recovery in global growth.

The key manufacturing sector has been struggling for months in the face of sagging world demand for Chinese products and excess industrial capacity left over from the country&#39;s infrastructure boom.

&quot;This might be as good as it gets,&quot; HSBC Holdings economic researcher Frederic Neumann told Bloomberg.

&quot;A generous stimulus injected earlier this year is still winding itself through the economy,&quot; he added, and with the government now &quot;tapping the brakes&quot; in the property sector &quot;growth will likely cool again in the coming months&quot;.

China is a vital driver of global growth, but its economy expanded only 6.9 per cent in 2015 -- its weakest rate in a quarter of a century -- and has slowed further this year.

Beijing has said it wants to reorient the economy away from relying on debt-fuelled investment to boost growth and towards a consumer-driven model, but the transition has proven challenging.

(AFP)

The purchasing managers' index is the first indicator of an economy's health

Manufacturing activity in China expanded at its fastest pace in more than two years last month on improving production and demand, an official measure showed Tuesday, boding well for the world's second-largest economy. Investors closely watch the purchasing managers' index (PMI), which gauges conditions at factories and mines, as the first indicator of the health of the economy each month. The PMI came in at 51.2 for October, its highest since July 2014, figures from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed. It rose from September's 50.4 and was well ahead of the median forecast of 50.3 in a Bloomberg News survey of economists. A figure above 50 signals expanding activity, while anything below demonstrates shrinkage. "Production and market demand is picking up again, accelerating expansion," NBS analyst Zhao Qinghe said in a statement. But Zhao added that downward pressures remain on imports and exports due to the sluggish recovery in global growth. The key manufacturing sector has been struggling for months in the face of sagging world demand for Chinese products and excess industrial capacity left over from the country's infrastructure boom. "This might be as good as it gets," HSBC Holdings economic researcher Frederic Neumann told Bloomberg. "A generous stimulus injected earlier this year is still winding itself through the economy," he added, and with the government now "tapping the brakes" in the property sector "growth will likely cool again in the coming months". China is a vital driver of global growth, but its economy expanded only 6.9 per cent in 2015 -- its weakest rate in a quarter of a century -- and has slowed further this year. Beijing has said it wants to reorient the economy away from relying on debt-fuelled investment to boost growth and towards a consumer-driven model, but the transition has proven challenging. (AFP)

China manufacturing index at highest in 2 years

Inflation surged to 16.5 per cent in Nigeria last month -- its highest level in more than decade -- as prices of imported food and energy jumped after the government stopped propping up the currency, the National Bureau of Statistics said today. 
 
The rate rose from 15.6 per cent in May, the fifth increase in as many months, the NBS said in an emailed statement. The new rate is the highest since October 2005, according to the central bank. 
 
The highest increases were seen in electricity prices, kerosene, furniture and furnishings, road passenger transport, as well as fuels and lubricants, the statistics agency said. 
 
Food prices rose 15.3 per cent year-on-year in June, compared with 14.9 per cent in May.&nbsp;Yvonne Mhango, an economist at Renaissance Capital, told Bloomberg she expected inflation to rise further in the coming months. 
 
&quot;We see inflation averaging in the mid 20 per cent by year-end, mainly because of the foreign exchange rates,&quot; she was quoted as saying. 
 
Nigerians are struggling with spiralling cost of living after a 67 per cent hike in the price of petrol in April and last month&#39;s scrapping of the peg of the Naira exchange rate at 197/199 to the Dollar.&nbsp;The Naira now trades at around 360 to the Dollar on the black market. The official rate is at about 280 to the Dollar. 
 
Nigeria, one of Africa&#39;s main oil producers, normally gets 70 per cent of its revenue from oil sales.&nbsp;But the global fall in crude prices since mid-2014 has left the government cash-strapped and even unable to pay wages. 
 
Public sector workers in most of the country&#39;s 36 states are on strike because of unpaid salaries, with some owed six months&#39; back pay.&nbsp;The International Monetary Fund has said Nigeria&#39;s economy could contract for the first time in more than two decades this year, as a fall in oil revenue and electricity shortages weigh on output. 
 
(AFP)

Public sector workers in most of the country's 36 states are on strike because of unpaid salaries, with some owed six months' back pay

Inflation surged to 16.5 per cent in Nigeria last month -- its highest level in more than decade -- as prices of imported food and energy jumped after the government stopped propping up the currency, the National Bureau of Statistics said today. The rate rose from 15.6 per cent in May, the fifth increase in as many months, the NBS said in an emailed statement. The new rate is the highest since October 2005, according to the central bank. The highest increases were seen in electricity prices, kerosene, furniture and furnishings, road passenger transport, as well as fuels and lubricants, the statistics agency said. Food prices rose 15.3 per cent year-on-year in June, compared with 14.9 per cent in May. Yvonne Mhango, an economist at Renaissance Capital, told Bloomberg she expected inflation to rise further in the coming months. "We see inflation averaging in the mid 20 per cent by year-end, mainly because of the foreign exchange rates," she was quoted as saying. Nigerians are struggling with spiralling cost of living after a 67 per cent hike in the price of petrol in April and last month's scrapping of the peg of the Naira exchange rate at 197/199 to the Dollar. The Naira now trades at around 360 to the Dollar on the black market. The official rate is at about 280 to the Dollar. Nigeria, one of Africa's main oil producers, normally gets 70 per cent of its revenue from oil sales. But the global fall in crude prices since mid-2014 has left the government cash-strapped and even unable to pay wages. Public sector workers in most of the country's 36 states are on strike because of unpaid salaries, with some owed six months' back pay. The International Monetary Fund has said Nigeria's economy could contract for the first time in more than two decades this year, as a fall in oil revenue and electricity shortages weigh on output. (AFP)

Nigerian inflation rises to 11-year high

China&#39;s consumer price growth slowed in June, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said today, giving the central government room for further monetary stimulus to stabilise economic growth. 
 
The consumer price index (CPI) -- a main gauge of inflation -- rose 1.9 perc ent on-year, the National Bureau of Statistics said, lower than May&#39;s 2.0 per cent but higher than the 1.8 median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of economists. 
 
Moderate inflation can be a boon to consumption as it pushes buyers to act before prices go up, while falling prices encourage shoppers to delay purchases and companies to put off investment, both of which can hurt growth. 
 
Food prices fell 1.4 per cent month-on-month, the data showed, weighing down the overall inflation figures. 
 
The world&#39;s second largest economy expanded last year at its slowest rate in a quarter of a century as Beijing strives to effect a difficult transition in its growth model away from reliance on exports and fixed-asset investment towards one driven by consumers.&nbsp; 
 
The producer price index (PPI), which measures the cost of goods at the factory gate, fell 2.6 per cent year-on-year last month, narrower than the 2.8 per cent decline in May, as deflation pressures eased due to a rebound in some commodity prices. 
 
Protracted declines in PPI bode ill for industrial prospects, but narrowing declines in the last two months have fuelled hopes the Chinese economy could be reaching the bottom of a painful slowdown. 
 
Looking ahead, analysts said widespread flooding due to summer heavy rains could put short-term pressure on China&#39;s industrial output.&nbsp; 
 
Construction is likely to spike once the floods subside, but in the short term industrial production growth will see &quot;negative shocks&quot;, Zhang Yao of Nomura said in a note.&nbsp; 
 
Food prices could spike due to the destruction of crops and livestock by floods, said Chang Liu of Capital Economics, increasing the risks of an rise in consumer inflation in the second half of the year. 
 
(AFP)

This will allow the central government room for further monetary stimulus to stabilise the economic growth

China's consumer price growth slowed in June, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said today, giving the central government room for further monetary stimulus to stabilise economic growth. The consumer price index (CPI) -- a main gauge of inflation -- rose 1.9 perc ent on-year, the National Bureau of Statistics said, lower than May's 2.0 per cent but higher than the 1.8 median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of economists. Moderate inflation can be a boon to consumption as it pushes buyers to act before prices go up, while falling prices encourage shoppers to delay purchases and companies to put off investment, both of which can hurt growth. Food prices fell 1.4 per cent month-on-month, the data showed, weighing down the overall inflation figures. The world's second largest economy expanded last year at its slowest rate in a quarter of a century as Beijing strives to effect a difficult transition in its growth model away from reliance on exports and fixed-asset investment towards one driven by consumers. The producer price index (PPI), which measures the cost of goods at the factory gate, fell 2.6 per cent year-on-year last month, narrower than the 2.8 per cent decline in May, as deflation pressures eased due to a rebound in some commodity prices. Protracted declines in PPI bode ill for industrial prospects, but narrowing declines in the last two months have fuelled hopes the Chinese economy could be reaching the bottom of a painful slowdown. Looking ahead, analysts said widespread flooding due to summer heavy rains could put short-term pressure on China's industrial output. Construction is likely to spike once the floods subside, but in the short term industrial production growth will see "negative shocks", Zhang Yao of Nomura said in a note. Food prices could spike due to the destruction of crops and livestock by floods, said Chang Liu of Capital Economics, increasing the risks of an rise in consumer inflation in the second half of the year. (AFP)

China inflation slowed in June