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Nikkei climbs for fourth day on US-China trade talks

Nikkei climbs for fourth day on US-China trade talks

TOKYO: Japan's Nikkei share gauge climbed for a fourth straight session on Wednesday after a tentative trade truce between the US and China supported demand for higher-yielding assets. The Nikkei 225 Index gained 0.6% and logged its longest winning streak in about a month. Year-to-date, it is down 4.2%. The broader Topix gauge rose about 0.1%.
Chip-sector heavyweights Sumco and Tokyo Electron surged 11% and 4.8%, respectively, on optimism that a US-China agreement will lead to the lifting of Chinese export curbs on rare earth minerals critical to high-tech sectors.
Sumco was the biggest gainer on the Nikkei, followed by Socionext, which gained 6.3%. Mazda Motor climbed 1.2% as the yen weakened, boosting exporters' shares.
The biggest loser on the Nikkei was Hino Motors, which slid 18% to log its steepest daily percentage decline since October 2023.

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Ships warned to avoid Red Sea, log Hormuz voyages
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Ships warned to avoid Red Sea, log Hormuz voyages

ATHENS: Merchant shipping is continuing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite Israel's attacks on Iran on Friday, the multinational, US-led Combined Maritime Force said, although some shipowners were looking to avoid the region. Iran has in the past threatened to close the critical Strait of Hormuz to traffic in retaliation for Western pressure. Any closure of the Strait could restrict trade and impact global oil prices. 'The Strait of Hormuz remains open and commercial traffic continues to flow uninterrupted,' the Combined Maritime Force said in advisory, adding that events over the past day had increased the likelihood of regional conflict to 'significant'. Greece and Britain have advised their merchant shipping fleets to avoid sailing through the Gulf of Aden and to log all voyages through the Strait of Hormuz following Israel's attacks on Iran, documents seen by Reuters showed. 'We have reports that more ship owners are now exercising extra caution and are opting to stay away from the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf,' said Jakob Larsen, chief safety & security officer with shipping association BIMCO. If the United States is perceived to be involved in any attacks, 'the risk of escalation increases significantly', Larsen said. 'Such an escalation could include missile attacks on ships or laying of sea mines in the Strait (of Hormuz).'

Joy spread among orphans on Children's Day
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time7 hours ago

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Trump and ancient Chinese wisdom
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time9 hours ago

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The writer heads the independent Centre for Research and Security Studies, Islamabad. He is currently a visiting Research Fellow at Fudan University, Shanghai Listen to article Is Donald Trump the present day manifestation of the ancient Chinese businessman who enjoyed the least of respect in society? A direct comparison may sound unfair to the president, but his fixation on tariffs – seemingly rooted in arrogant nationalism – has prompted many in China to recall how ancient Chinese emperors and philosophers viewed businessmen. The falling out of Trump and Elon Musk – two powerful businessmen – also perhaps offers the latest illustration of that Chinese wisdom on businessmen's propensity to be self-righteous, arrogant and self-serving when the situation so demands. 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While businessmen were respected for their wealth and success, their primary focus on profit was perceived as less noble than their contributions to society through learning or government service. The most esteemed members of this class were the wisemen, scholars, advisors and officials. Their invaluable contributions to the Emperor's governance were recognised through their knowledge, virtue and intellectual pursuits. Their writings and intellectual endeavours were highly valued and contributed to the state's development. The second most respected class consisted of farmers, who were responsible for cultivating crops and providing food for the population. They were regarded as the foundation of the economy, ensuring the sustenance of the entire population. Artisans, technicians, engineers and construction experts, who possessed specialised skills, were the third most esteemed class. Their contributions were instrumental in developing technical tools and facilitating daily life. The business community, comprising merchants, held a lowly position in society, regarded as the least respected class. The Emperor held a disdain for businessmen, believing they prioritised money over morality and would resort to any means, ethical or immoral, to achieve financial gain. Consequently, few businessmen sought proximity to the Emperor. While there were methods to evade the Emperor's disdain, businessmen were generally the least welcomed and least respected members of the royal court due to their perceived greed for wealth. However, this perception has shifted over time, not only in China but also in other parts of the world. Businessmen have played a pivotal role in the country's economic growth, exemplified by the billionaire founder of Ali Baba, Jack Ma. The concept of 'Chinese businessman wisdom' has emerged, referring to the practical, astute, and often pragmatic approach to business that is highly esteemed by both Chinese and international audiences. The traditional hierarchical structure has undergone a gradual softening, and various professions, including business, are now recognised for their unique contributions to society. The contemporary emphasis on economic development has fostered a more positive attitude towards business and entrepreneurship. The government actively encourages entrepreneurship and private enterprise, acknowledging the indispensable role of businesses in the nation's development. Nevertheless, certain actions are considered unacceptable and should not be crossed. Jack Ma's conduct a few years ago prompted many to draw upon ancient wisdom and draw parallels between the past and the present. His interactions with the central bank invariably drew comparisons to the past and often served as an example of a businessman attempting to exert control over the central bank. The context involved technical difficulties experienced by Ali-Pay, a digital payment system, in conjunction with the central bank. Upon making his public complaint, Jack Ma faced significant repercussions from the Chinese authorities. His passing remark about China's finance system was interpreted as a mockery by the Beijing authorities, leading to questions about his intentions. They expressed concern that Jack Ma might intend to control the finance system through Ali-Pay. As a result, Jack Ma encountered substantial opposition from the authorities. They argued that the Central Bank is a trusted institution – in fact a public Trust – that efficiently manages and looks after the interests of the people. If allowed to operate like a Western capital institution, entities such as Ali-Pay could potentially disrupt the system and harm the interests of the Chinese people. The official backlash compelled Jack Ma to take a break from business – a sort of sabbatical. However, he recently resurfaced with more empathetic views on China's financial system – more aligned with the national ethos as projected by the leadership. A Chinese friend described him as helpful and engaged in significant philanthropic activities – something expected of every affluent Chinese who are expected to pay back after benefitting under the system, which rests on a national spirit and ethos that keep citizens at the centre. The citizen, says the ancient Chinese philosophy, is central to a state's stability, and hence his/her welfare is paramount for the political economy. All indicators suggest the Chinese Communist Party continues to follow that golden philosophy. It's yet to be seen how much the Trump-Musk acrimony hurts the people. There couldn't have been a better validation of the Chinese definition of a businessman than the mutual public trolling both Trump and Musk indulged in following the implosion of their alliance.

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