China will spend 7.1% more on defence this year, outpacing last year's hike and the government's modest economic growth forecast as Premier Li Keqiang seeks to safeguard the country's sovereignty, security and development interests.

China plans 7.1% defence spending rise this year, outpacing GDP target

Is Chinese President Xi Jinping consolidating power in the name of fighting corruption? Is he targeting his critics and rivals? Reports suggest he openly criticised the second-most powerful person in the country - Premier Li Keqiang. WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Xi vs Li: China's power grab begins?

The dollar snapped a six-day losing streak to add 0.2 per cent on Thursday, the first trading day of 2020, pushing the euro off five-month highs while the offshore yuan shrugged off-reserve ratio cuts that could add $115 billion worth of liquidity.

Dollar snaps six-day losing streak, a flat start for 2020

China raised its coal-fired power capacity by 42.9 gigawatts (GW), or about 4.5 per cent, in the 18 months to June, connecting new projects to the grid at a time when capacity in the rest of the world shrank, according to a study published on Wednesday.

China coal-fired power capacity still rising, bucking global trend

China's cabinet will begin a nationwide safety crackdown on its massive chemical industry after an official investigation into a deadly plant blast that killed 78 people and injured dozens more in March.

China launches new crackdown on chemical safety

The US business community wants to see a trade deal between the United States and China so as to end the trade dispute, said Myron Brilliant, executive vice president and head of the international affairs for the US Chamber of Commerce.

American business community wants trade deal between US, China

The move would be in step with Beijing's pledges to its trade partners - including the United States - that China will take steps to increase imports

China to cut import tariffs on some consumer products

President Donald Trump has threatened a new round of tariffs on $100 billion worth of Chinese products that could target mobile phones, computers and other consumer goods. China retaliated against an initial round of US tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese exports

China's Premier Li says open to trade negotiations with United States

In a report to the opening session of the annual National People's Congress in Beijing, Premier Li Keqiang warned China 'will never tolerate any separatist schemes' in Taiwan

China signals hardened stance on Hong Kong, Taiwan

The Chinese premier, who will be here for the ASEAN and East Asia summits, said Beijing will actively explore joint development of the South China sea to make it a "sea of cooperation and friendship" for the benefit of the two countries.

Thorny South China Sea issue may dominate ASEAN summit