Latest news with #Miao
Qatar Tribune
07-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
China urged to take bolder steps to tackle price wars, deflation
Agencies Beijing's latest push to curb price wars may help ease deflationary pressures, but analysts warn the current measures fall short of addressing deeper structural problems facing the world's second-largest economy. China's GDP deflator – a broad measure of prices across goods and services – has been negative since the second quarter of 2023, while consumer prices have fallen for four straight months year-on-year. To stop the deflationary spiral, Chinese authorities should address the cause: weak domestic demand, analysts said. 'So far, attempts to revive inflation by trimming supply and reducing overcapacity have shown limited results,' Miao Yanliang, chief strategist at Beijing-based investment bank China International Capital Corporation (CICC), wrote in a research note. 'Weak demand remains the underlying problem.' Despite policymakers flagging cutthroat competition as a concern at the tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference last December, there are few signs of a rebound in prices, said Miao, who previously worked as a senior economist at the State Administration of Foreign Exchange for a decade. Miao attributed the current deflationary spiral to downturns in the financial and property sectors as well as diminishing income expectations among Chinese households. The warning came as the Chinese economy grapples with persistent structural challenges. Excess capacity across multiple sectors has suppressed both producer and consumer prices, while job insecurity and a prolonged property slump have made households reluctant to spend. China's consumer price index (CPI), a key gauge of inflation, declined for a fourth straight month in May – falling 0.1 per cent year on year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The producer price index (PPI) has continued to contract since October 2022. June price data is scheduled for release on week, China's top leadership addressed 'disorderly low-price competition' during a meeting of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission, the Communist Party's highest economic policymaking body. It pledged to cut production capacity in an 'orderly' fashion, though without naming specific industries or targets. Compared to supply-side adjustments, analysts said demand-side stimulus remains the most effective lever for tackling deflation. To break the cycle, the CICC note recommended repairing 'corporate balance sheets' through capital injections, interest subsidies and corporate restructuring. This would help revive investment sentiment and employment, paving the way for a recovery in household income and assets, it added. Miao also called for raising household incomes by stabilising employment, increasing cash flow and strengthening the social safety net to ease consumer concerns and unlock spending potential. Chinese authorities have doubled down on subsidies, including a 300 billion yuan central government trade-in programme this year, to stimulate domestic consumption amid external headwinds. But there are fears the impact could be limited. 'When it comes to boosting consumption, there are few policy tools available to generate substantial traction on the demand side,' Mao Zhenhua, co-director of Renmin University's Institute of Economic Research, told a forum in Hong Kong on risks have been exacerbated by falling investment returns and mounting pressure on income and employment, with external headwinds also weighing on prices, he warned. The trade war with the United States would have 'a lasting impact on China's medium- to long-term economic fundamentals' and could further intensify the country's 'involutionary' dynamics, Mao added – a term used by officials to describe intense and self-defeating domestic competition.
Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Explained: China's recent removal of senior military officials, and what these ‘purges' indicate
A member of China's top decision-making body on military affairs, the Central Military Commission (CMC), was removed from the country's national legislature late last month. Miao Hua, who is also a senior admiral in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, was first suspended pending an investigation in November 2024. At the time, the charges against him were officially termed 'serious violations of discipline', which is terminology used for corruption cases. Another senior military official, Vice Admiral Li Hanjun, was also stripped of his legislative credentials on June 27. He was the chief of staff of the PLA Navy and its third-ranking officer. In recent years, two Ministers of Defence, one Minister of Foreign Affairs and several other key figures in the Chinese state have been purged, with corruption often cited as the reason. What differentiates the latest removals is the seniority of the officials and the fact that they are from the all-important military establishment. 'The PLA is the Communist Party's army. It is not to the state or the People's Republic of China that the PLA owes its primary allegiance. Its main task is to help the party remain in power. The party commands the gun, and the CMC is the party's highest military leadership body,' said Jabin Jacob, Associate Professor at the Department of International Relations and Governance Studies at Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida. Who are the officials in question? Miao, 69, headed the Political Work department of the CMC, tasked with political education and personnel management. 'Miao Hua is the biggest fish in the past two to three years of investigations and subsequent purges,' said Anushka Saxena, a researcher focusing on the PLA at the Bengaluru-based think tank Takshashila Institute. On the other hand, Li, 60, was rumoured to be under investigation since March, and has not been seen publicly since then. Such 'disappearances' in China often indicate that all is not well and that an official may face an inquiry. Analysts closely monitor the visibility of leaders because, officially, little about them is ever confirmed. The CMC decides on a range of defence matters, including weapons procurement, military priorities, and combat preparedness. The seven-member body is headed by a Chairman, two Vice-Chairmen and four members. Members represent a few of the various CMC departments, such as discipline inspection and political work (which Miao headed). 'Xi Jinping's position as CMC Chairman is his second most important position in the Chinese political system after the position of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, and more important than his position as Chinese president,' Jacob said. The CMC also ranks higher than the Defence Ministry. 'This is why in the wake of the 2020 Galwan standoff, the then Indian ambassador to China, Vikram Misri, also met with CMC officials,' he added. The Defence Minister is generally a part of the CMC. However, after the previous minister, Li Shangfu, was dismissed from the party in June 2024 (also for corruption charges), his successor, Dong Jun, has not been made a CMC member. This suggests a 'further decline in the status of the Ministry of Defence'. Such is its significance to the Chinese state that when power was being transferred from party leader Deng Xiaoping, who initiated China's economic liberalisation in 1978, he initially refused to let go of the CMC leadership. 'He believed that ultimately, being President of China or the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party doesn't matter because by being the CMC Chairman, you have the army at your command,' Saxena said. Even though some committees vet candidates, protegé networks or client-patron networks within the party play an important role in CMC appointments, she added. Why is corruption often cited behind these purges? Corruption has been a matter of concern in China over the decades. Shortly after assuming power in 2013, Xi Jinping unleashed a massive anti-corruption campaign. Jacob said, 'In the multi-phase anti-corruption campaign, the focus has shifted from the political and legal apparatus to the military to the financial sector, but all groups continue to be targeted.' As for the PLA, 'Corruption is certainly a serious issue, but it is entirely logical that corruption should occur since the PLA has seen a rapid growth phase for several decades now. It is modernising with the acquisition of new weapons and platforms, and the launch of new projects to achieve cutting-edge and asymmetric advantages over its adversaries. More qualified personnel are being inducted to meet its future combat requirements — both in conventional domains and new areas of warfare such as cyberspace or drone warfare.' He added that significant sums of money and serious responsibilities are at play, with great power accorded to individuals and institutions. Thus, while tackling corruption might help Xi consolidate power in some instances, it is not the only driving motive behind the purges. Saxena also said that if corruption were only a front, it would not be prudent for Xi to remove his loyalists, such as former Minister of Defence Li Shangfu or Foreign Affairs Minister Qin Gang. Neither was expected to rise so far up the ranks relatively quickly, but were elevated as they enjoyed Xi's support. Further, various party factions — based on common regional backgrounds or closeness to senior leaders — compete for power. 'When this sub-leadership-level factionalism happens, each faction will try to reveal skeletons in the other person's closet. Once out in the open, Xi can sometimes have no other option but to take action. A key reason he is in power today is that he told party elders he would root out corruption from the party,' she said. What does this mean, ultimately? High-level purges imply an element of instability and inefficiency in the system. However, for Xi, it also shows his ability and power to remove officials as quickly as he appointed them. 'Xi demands not just loyalty but also honesty to go with efficiency and progress. Such culling at the top might indicate a deep-rooted malaise within the system, but it also signals to the public that their supreme leader is serious about improving it. Simultaneously, lower-ranked officials get the message that there exists a path to promotion based on both loyalty to the party and following party discipline,' Jacob said. In a non-democratic setup, what may be the incentive for a leader to display no tolerance for corruption? Saxena said it has to do with a sense of political insecurity as well: 'From Beijing's perspective, China is in a very precarious position right now, be it the domestic economic concerns, Taiwan, or the economic and political state of the world. At this stage, it cannot afford to have an inefficient bureaucracy or military. Say Li Shangfu's corruption-related purge was because, when he was head of the equipment development department, he rigged the bidding process and got a cut. What happens if an inferior quality system is used in battle and fails?' Well-functioning defence, political and economic systems will also help ensure the longevity of China's unique one-party state structure. Just last Tuesday, the party marked its 104th anniversary, saying its current membership stands at more than 100 million members, making it one of the biggest political parties in the world. Rishika Singh is a Senior sub-editor at the Explained Desk of The Indian Express. She enjoys writing on issues related to international relations, and in particular, likes to follow analyses of news from China. Additionally, she writes on developments related to politics and culture in India. ... Read More
South China Morning Post
04-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
A ride through Wanfenglin, Guizhou's best-kept secret
No matter how hard I turn the throttle, the most macho sound coming from this rental e-moped is a gentle whirring, not the throaty roar I am used to when renting motorbikes elsewhere in Asia. But even if green electric technology has stripped the growl from one of my favourite modes of travel, I have found somewhere in the southern Chinese countryside I can ride without a driving licence. And I have found a spot that seems perfect for motorised travel – offbeat and less visited. Wanfenglin labourers cut grass and arrange it into haystacks. Photo: Chan Kit Yeng In Guizhou's southwesternmost corner, Xingyi is a borderland that grazes Yunnan and Guangxi provinces. Closer to Yunnan's capital, Kunming , than to Guizhou's Guiyang, what Xingyi lacks in the Miao and Dong ethnic-minority character found on the eastern side of this hilly southwestern province, it makes up for with jagged natural beauty. Advertisement Less than 20km south of Xingyi township is Wanfenglin, a fertile valley of rice fields and quaint villages hemmed in by limestone karst formations that look like the forest-clad humps of a half-buried giant camel caravan. In many respects, the scenery rivals that of Guangxi's main tourist draws, Guilin and Yangshuo, as well as the rock pinnacles of the Shilin Stone Forest, to the east of Kunming, in Yunnan. Nevertheless, Wanfenglin ('forest of 10,000 peaks') remains under the radar. That may be because high-speed trains don't pass by yet. In fact, there is just one train from Kunming a day: the K1206, leaving Kunming at 7.58am and arriving at Xingyi at 1.58pm, taking six hours to cover the 285km. Alternatively, one could take a four-and-a-half-hour bus ride from the central Guizhou town of Anshun, 218km to the northeast. A farmer in Wanfu village rakes maize in front of a mural-covered home. Photo: Chan Kit Yeng In truth, Wanfenglin has not remained entirely untouched by tourism: it has been declared a scenic area, with an entry fee and opening and closing times – which nobody seems to collect or respect during my visit. In the tradition of scenic areas across China, tourist shuttles – large golf-cart-like vehicles with open sides and a plastic roof – leave from the car park at the valley's northern end, where the No 301 bus from Xingyi stops. The hop-on-hop-off shuttle costs 120 yuan (HK$131) for a full valley circuit, making 11 stops at photo-friendly locations that include Upper and Lower Nahui villages and the Eight Diagrams Field: a large paddyfield whose canals and terraces form concentric circles and geometric patterns. The price includes access to Wanfenglin's main tourist viewpoint. Before the ride ends, the shuttle stops at a karst formation museum near the valley's central village, Wenbeng. Unlike most other scenic areas in China, however, taking the shuttle bus is not the only way to get around Wanfenglin. Pretty much every little shop and guest house at the northern end of the 6km-long valley – where the hobo-chic Yi Yu Hostel, hemmed in by walls of golden, tall corn and paddyfields, has sparkling dorms and pleasant doubles – rents out pushbikes, electric mopeds and golf-cart-like three-wheelers. Costing 30 to 50 yuan per day, these electric vehicles are a dream come true for those who enjoy exploring independently, and mine has the word 'Sweet' stencilled above its front headlight. A street-food vendor in Upper Nahui village, where most of the stores also function as vehicle-rental shops. Photo: Chan Kit Yeng Eighteen years ago, when I was one of many foreign travellers exploring the domestic-tourist-free and hostel-strewn lanes below Yangshuo 's otherworldly karst pinnacles, I wished a place that begged to be explored independently could offer the simple moped rentals available across neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam , which contributed so much to making those Southeast Asian hotspots appealing destinations. Today, I am realising that Yangshuo dream 850km to the west.
Canada Standard
04-07-2025
- Business
- Canada Standard
International delegation concludes two-day visit to SW China's Chongqing
CHONGQING, July 4 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of nearly 70 representatives from various countries and regions has concluded a two-day visit to a county in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. The delegation included officials from 11 foreign consulates based in Chongqing and Chengdu, capital of the neighboring Sichuan Province, as well as delegates from six overseas institutions in Chongqing and journalists from 13 domestic and overseas media outlets. The delegation first visited the newly opened Chongqing East Railway Station on Wednesday morning, where they took a high-speed train to Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County for a two-day visit to deeply savor Miao ethnic culture and explore cooperation opportunities. This marked the station's first large-scale reception of international guests since it began operations in late June. "The design of Chongqing East Railway Station is very modern, and the decoration is also very beautiful," said Kyaw Zay Yar Lin, consul general of Myanmar to Chongqing. With an overall floorage of around 1.23 million square meters, the station is a major comprehensive transportation hub -- integrating trains, urban rail transit, buses, long-distance coaches and taxis. Foreign guests were amazed by the speed of the high-speed trains. Notably, the opening of a new high-speed railway line has reduced train travel time from Chongqing to Pengshui from about three hours to less than an hour. "This connectivity will encourage frequent visits to ethnic regions like Pengshui," said Eva Yi-Hua Yu, consul general of Canada to Chongqing. In Pengshui, delegates immersed themselves in Miao ethnic culture, experiencing traditional Chinese medicine and Miao embroidery, which offered them insights into the protection of indigenous cultures. "Like your region, Myanmar is a country with diverse ethnic communities, vibrant cultures, and strong respect for nature and tradition. We believe that diversity is strength, and I have felt a strong sense of connection between your community and ours during this visit to Pengshui," said Lin. The development achievements in terms of people's livelihoods and ethnic cultures, and the promotion of local products in Pengshui, serve as valuable experience for Vietnam to learn from, said Bui Nguyen Long, consul general of Vietnam to Chongqing. He noted that Vietnam also has a large Miao minority population, most of whom live in poverty. Guests expressed their belief that Chongqing East Railway Station will create new opportunities for tourism and trade between Chongqing and international partners. After tasting wasabi, a local specialty of Pengshui, Takada Mari, Japan's consul general to Chongqing, was surprised to find that this food cherished by the Japanese is grown in China. "I only learned about it when I came here by high-speed railway this time. I believe the railway will make it much easier to trade products, and we look forward to seeing Pengshui wasabi exported to Japan soon," she said. "I believe that the opening of the new high-speed railway will provide good transportation and create economic momentum in Pengshui. It can bring Pengshui closer to major economic centers, opening up new opportunities for tourism, logistics and trade," said Lin.
Canada News.Net
04-07-2025
- Business
- Canada News.Net
International delegation concludes two-day visit to SW China's Chongqing
CHONGQING, July 4 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of nearly 70 representatives from various countries and regions has concluded a two-day visit to a county in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. The delegation included officials from 11 foreign consulates based in Chongqing and Chengdu, capital of the neighboring Sichuan Province, as well as delegates from six overseas institutions in Chongqing and journalists from 13 domestic and overseas media outlets. The delegation first visited the newly opened Chongqing East Railway Station on Wednesday morning, where they took a high-speed train to Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County for a two-day visit to deeply savor Miao ethnic culture and explore cooperation opportunities. This marked the station's first large-scale reception of international guests since it began operations in late June. "The design of Chongqing East Railway Station is very modern, and the decoration is also very beautiful," said Kyaw Zay Yar Lin, consul general of Myanmar to Chongqing. With an overall floorage of around 1.23 million square meters, the station is a major comprehensive transportation hub -- integrating trains, urban rail transit, buses, long-distance coaches and taxis. Foreign guests were amazed by the speed of the high-speed trains. Notably, the opening of a new high-speed railway line has reduced train travel time from Chongqing to Pengshui from about three hours to less than an hour. "This connectivity will encourage frequent visits to ethnic regions like Pengshui," said Eva Yi-Hua Yu, consul general of Canada to Chongqing. In Pengshui, delegates immersed themselves in Miao ethnic culture, experiencing traditional Chinese medicine and Miao embroidery, which offered them insights into the protection of indigenous cultures. "Like your region, Myanmar is a country with diverse ethnic communities, vibrant cultures, and strong respect for nature and tradition. We believe that diversity is strength, and I have felt a strong sense of connection between your community and ours during this visit to Pengshui," said Lin. The development achievements in terms of people's livelihoods and ethnic cultures, and the promotion of local products in Pengshui, serve as valuable experience for Vietnam to learn from, said Bui Nguyen Long, consul general of Vietnam to Chongqing. He noted that Vietnam also has a large Miao minority population, most of whom live in poverty. Guests expressed their belief that Chongqing East Railway Station will create new opportunities for tourism and trade between Chongqing and international partners. After tasting wasabi, a local specialty of Pengshui, Takada Mari, Japan's consul general to Chongqing, was surprised to find that this food cherished by the Japanese is grown in China. "I only learned about it when I came here by high-speed railway this time. I believe the railway will make it much easier to trade products, and we look forward to seeing Pengshui wasabi exported to Japan soon," she said. "I believe that the opening of the new high-speed railway will provide good transportation and create economic momentum in Pengshui. It can bring Pengshui closer to major economic centers, opening up new opportunities for tourism, logistics and trade," said Lin.
