China raids offices of business consultancy Capvision
May 9, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China’s chief foreign intelligence agency has raided the offices of business consulting firm Capvision in Beijing and other Chinese cities as part of an ongoing crackdown on foreign businesses that provide sensitive economic data.
Foreign companies in China face growing scrutiny, pressure
April 28, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Foreign companies are under growing pressure in China from anti-corruption, national security and other investigations as President Xi Jinping’s government tightens control over business, clashing with efforts to lure back investors after the pandemic.
Reports: Tesla factory where worker died had safety weakness
April 19, 2023 GMTSHANGHAI (AP) — Government inspectors concluded Tesla Inc.’s Shanghai factory where an employee died in a Feb. 4 accident has weaknesses in its safety measures, news reports said Wednesday.
The emergency bureau of Shanghai’s Pudong district recommended an unspecified penalty for Tesla, the business news magazine Caixin and other outlets reported.
Ignoring experts, China’s sudden zero-COVID exit cost lives
March 24, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — When China suddenly scrapped onerous zero-COVID measures in December, the country wasn’t ready for a massive onslaught of cases. Hospitals turned away ambulances, crematoriums burned bodies around the clock, and relatives hauled dead loved ones to warehouses for lack of storage space.
Loyal and experienced, China’s other top leaders take posts
March 10, 2023 GMTTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — With Chinese leader Xi Jinping receiving a norms-breaking third five-year term as president on Friday, the other six men who serve with him on the ruling Communist Party’s all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee are beginning to take up their new portfolios.
Will China’s next premier be a moderating influence on Xi?
March 9, 2023 GMTHONG KONG (AP) — The pro-business track record of the man poised to become China’s top economic official will make his term a test of whether he might moderate President Xi Jinping ’s tendency to intervene.
China looks to consumers to drive economic rebound
March 2, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s agenda for the annual meeting of the ceremonial legislature: Revive the economy by encouraging consumers to spend more now that severe anti-virus controls have ended, and install a government of loyalists to intensify Communist Party control over the economy and society.
Asian shares, oil advance on strong China factory data
March 1, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were higher Wednesday after reports on key measures of China manufacturing showed a strong recovery after anti-virus controls were lifted late last year.
Asian stocks rise after Wall St slides on rate hike fears
February 23, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets rose Thursday following Wall Street's biggest one-day decline in two months after notes from a Federal Reserve meeting showed officials expect to keep U.S. interest rates high to fight stubborn inflation.
Asian stocks fall after US inflation feeds rate hike fears
February 15, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets fell Wednesday after U.S. inflation edged down less than expected, fueling concern the Federal Reserve might think more interest rate hikes are needed.
Market benchmarks in Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Sydney declined.
Asian stocks slide ahead of US inflation update
February 13, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets sank Monday ahead of a U.S. inflation update that traders worry might lead to more interest rate hikes.
Tokyo, Hong Kong and Seoul declined. Shanghai advanced.
Asian shares mostly lower, tracking Wall Street retreat
February 9, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Shares fell Thursday in Asia after Wall Street gave back some of its recent gains on persisting uncertainty over interest rates and inflation.
Benchmarks declined in Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney but rose in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Yum China: Q4 Earnings Snapshot
February 8, 2023 GMTSHANGHAI (AP) — SHANGHAI (AP) — Yum China Holdings Inc. (YUMC) on Tuesday reported earnings of $53 million in its fourth quarter.
The Shanghai-based company said it had profit of 13 cents per share.
Asian stocks rebound after Wall St sinks on rate fears
February 7, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets rebounded Tuesday after Wall Street sank under pressure from worries about higher interest rates and after Japan reported stronger wage gains than expected.
Asian stocks sink after US jobs data fan rate hike fears
February 6, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets sank Monday after strong U.S. jobs data fanned fears of more interest rate hikes to cool inflation.
Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seoul retreated. Tokyo gained. Oil prices edged higher.
Asian stocks rise after Fed sees inflation improving
February 2, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets gained Thursday after the Federal Reserve said the U.S. economy is moving toward lower inflation but more interest rate hikes are planned.
Former Shanghai bookseller’s wife hit with ‘exit ban’
January 31, 2023 GMTHONG KONG (AP) — Chinese police have prevented a woman from returning to her home in Florida in an effort to compel her husband to return to China, she wrote in a letter he made public.
The case appears to be the latest example of Chinese authorities placing an “exit ban” on a person’s relatives to pressure them to return.
Asian shares edge higher, tracking Wall Street rally
January 27, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Asian shares advanced Friday, tracking a rally on Wall Street following reports suggesting the economy and corporate profits may be doing better than feared.
In Tokyo, data showed the core consumer price index was up 4.3%, slightly higher than expected at 4.2%, and higher than the Bank of Japan’s target of 2%.
Asian markets rise after Wall St losses amid recession fears
January 20, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets rose Friday after Wall Street losses deepened as worries grow that the U.S. economy is headed for recession.
Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong advanced. Seoul declined.
F1 not replacing canceled Chinese GP; 23 races in 2023
January 17, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Formula One confirmed Tuesday that it will not replace the canceled Chinese Grand Prix, leaving the 2023 season at what is still a record 23 races.
The race in Shanghai was canceled for the fourth straight year in December, when China had some of the toughest pandemic-related restrictions of any country.
China’s trade surplus swells to $877.6B as exports grow
January 13, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China’s trade surplus swelled to a record $877.6 billion last year as exports rose despite weakening U.S. and European demand and anti-virus controls that temporarily shut down Shanghai and other industrial centers.
Asian markets mostly higher, tracking Wall Street gains
January 13, 2023 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Shares advanced Friday in Asia after news that U.S. consumer inflation slowed last month pushed Wall Street benchmarks higher.
Asian stock markets mixed ahead of US inflation update
January 10, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Stock markets were mixed Tuesday ahead of a U.S. inflation update that traders hope will encourage the Federal Reserve to ease off plans for more interest rate hikes.
Asian markets follow Wall St up but on track for annual loss
December 30, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets followed Wall Street higher on Friday following encouraging U.S. employment data but were headed for double-digit losses for the year.
Asian shares mixed after tech-led decline on Wall Street
December 28, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Shares were mixed in Asia on Wednesday after a post-holiday retreat on Wall Street, as markets count down to the end of a painful year for investors.
Shares fell in Tokyo, Shanghai and Seoul but rose in Hong Kong as the Chinese government took further steps to reopen to foreign travel after relaxing its stringent “zero-COVID” policies.
Asian markets follow Wall St lower amid gloomy outlook
December 20, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets extended their losses Tuesday amid gloom about weaker global economic growth as central banks raise interest rates to cool inflation.
Asian stock markets sink under global recession fears
December 19, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets fell again Monday as investors wrestled with fears the Federal Reserve and European central banks might be willing to cause a recession to crush inflation.
Facing COVID surge, China expanding hospitals, ICUs
December 11, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Facing a surge in COVID-19 cases, China is setting up more intensive care facilities and trying to strengthen hospitals as it rolls back anti-virus controls that confined millions of people to their homes, crushed economic growth and set off protests.
Under China’s ‘zero COVID,’ uncertainty reigns and unsettles
December 8, 2022 GMTTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — As coronavirus cases rose in Shanghai earlier this year and the city's lockdown stretched from weeks to months, Leah Zhang’s feeling of suffocation grew.
US futures point to continued slump this week on Wall Street
December 7, 2022 GMTWall Street futures edged lower Wednesday ahead of new employment and wholesale price data with the Federal Reserve gauging its next step in its fight to cool inflation.
Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials slipped 0.4% and the S&P 500 fell 0.7% just over an hour before the opening bell.
China eases controls, gives no sign when ‘zero COVID’ ends
December 5, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China is easing some of the world’s most stringent anti-virus controls and authorities say new variants are weaker. But they have yet to say when they might end a “zero-COVID” strategy that confines millions of people to their homes and set off protests and demands for President Xi Jinping to resign.
At Shanghai vigil, bold shout for change preceded crackdown
December 3, 2022 GMTSHANGHAI (AP) — The mourners in Shanghai lit candles and placed flowers. Someone scrawled “Urumqi, 11.24, Rest in Peace” in red on cardboard — referring to the deadly apartment fire in China’s western city of Urumqi that sparked anger over perceptions the country's strict COVID-19 measures played a role in the disaster.
China fines former NBA star Lin over quarantine comments
December 2, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Former NBA star Jeremy Lin, who plays for a Chinese team, was fined 10,000 yuan ($1,400) for criticizing quarantine facilities, China’s professional league and a news report said Friday, as the government tries to stop protests against anti-virus controls that are among the world's most stringent.
F1: Chinese Grand Prix canceled again over pandemic
December 2, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Formula One confirmed Friday that the Chinese Grand Prix will not take place in 2023, making it the fourth year in a row the race has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Chinese users play cat-and-mouse with censors amid protests
December 1, 2022 GMTHONG KONG (AP) — Videos of hundreds protesting in Shanghai started to appear on WeChat on Saturday night. Showing chants about removing COVID-19 restrictions and demanding freedom, they would stay up only a few minutes before being censored.
China eases virus controls amid effort to head off protests
December 1, 2022 GMTChinese vaccine plans spark hope for end of ‘zero COVID’
December 1, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — A campaign to vaccinate the elderly has sparked hopes China might roll back severe anti-virus controls that prompted protesters to demand President Xi Jinping resign, but the country faces daunting hurdles and up to a year of hard work before “zero COVID” can end.
Jiang Zemin, who guided China’s economic rise, dies
November 30, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Jiang Zemin, who led China out of isolation after the army crushed the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in 1989 and supported economic reforms that led to a decade of explosive growth, died Wednesday.
China vows crackdown on ‘hostile forces’ as public tests Xi
November 30, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China’s ruling Communist Party has vowed to “resolutely crack down on infiltration and sabotage activities by hostile forces,” following the largest street demonstrations in decades by citizens fed up with strict anti-virus restrictions.
Asian shares mostly decline ahead of Fed chair’s key speech
November 30, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mostly lower Wednesday ahead of a closely watched speech by the Federal Reserve chief that may give clues about future interest rate hikes.
Investors were also eyeing developments in China, where protests have erupted over the “zero-COVID” strategy that has confined millions of people to their homes, sometimes for months.
China sends students home, police patrol to curb protests
November 29, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Chinese universities sent students home and police fanned out in Beijing and Shanghai to prevent more protests Tuesday after crowds angered by severe anti-virus restrictions called for leader Xi Jinping to resign in the biggest show of public dissent in decades.
China lockdown protests pause as police flood city streets
November 29, 2022 GMTHONG KONG (AP) — With police out in force, there was no word of additional protests against strict government anti-pandemic measures Tuesday in Beijing, as temperatures fell well below freezing. Shanghai, Nanjing and other cities where online calls to gather had been issued were also reportedly quiet.
China’s Xi faces threat from public anger over ‘zero COVID’
November 28, 2022 GMTCrowd angered by lockdowns calls for China’s Xi to step down
November 27, 2022 GMTSHANGHAI (AP) — Protesters angered by strict anti-virus measures called for China’s powerful leader to resign, an unprecedented rebuke as authorities in at least eight cities struggled to suppress demonstrations Sunday that represent a rare direct challenge to the ruling Communist Party.
Protests over China’s COVID controls spread across country
November 27, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Protests against China's pervasive anti-virus controls that have confined millions of people to their homes spread to Shanghai and other cities after complaints they might have worsened the death toll in an apartment fire in the northwest.
Asian shares rise on Fed rate hopes despite China worries
November 24, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Asian shares gained Thursday, although optimism about the Federal Reserve holding back on aggressive interest rate raises was countered by some uncertainty about coronavirus restrictions in China.
Asian stocks mixed after Wall St slide, China virus fears
November 22, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets were mixed Tuesday after Wall Street sank and Chinese anti-virus controls fueled concern about an economic slowdown.
Shanghai and Hong Kong declined while Tokyo advanced.
Asian stocks down after Wall St weekly loss on rate fears
November 21, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets sank Monday after Wall Street ended with a loss for the week amid anxiety about Federal Reserve plans for more interest rate hikes to cool inflation.
China announces 1st COVID-19 death in almost 6 months
November 20, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China on Sunday announced its first new death from COVID-19 in nearly half a year as strict new measures are imposed in Beijing and across the country to ward against new outbreaks.
Asian stocks mixed after Wall St falls on rate hike worries
November 18, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stocks were mixed Friday after Wall Street declined following indications the Federal Reserve might raise interest rates higher than expected to cool inflation.
Shanghai declined while Tokyo and Hong Kong advanced.
Asian benchmarks mostly decline amid lingering China worries
November 17, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Asian shares mostly declined Thursday amid concerns about the impact of China's “zero-COVID” strategy mixed with hopes for economic activity and tourism returning to normal.
Benchmarks fell in Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong and Shanghai, while gaining in Sydney.
Asian shares fall on jitters over missile landing in Poland
November 16, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mostly lower Wednesday, as investors got jittery over global risks after Poland said a Russian-made missile killed two people there.
Benchmarks fell in morning trading in Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul and Hong Kong, while shares were little changed in Shanghai.
Asian stocks surge after lower US inflation eases rate fears
November 11, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets surged Friday after U.S. inflation eased by more than expected, spurring hopes the Federal Reserve might scale down plans for more interest rate hikes.
China promises change but sticks to severe ‘zero COVID’ plan
November 10, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Chinese leaders promised Thursday to improve quarantine and other anti-virus policies after public frustration boiled over into protests but said they will stick to a severe “zero COVID” strategy that has confined millions of people to their homes and disrupted the economy.
Asian stocks follow Wall St down before US inflation update
November 10, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets followed Wall Street lower on Thursday ahead of a U.S. inflation update that will likely influence Federal Reserve plans for more interest rate hikes after elections left control of Congress uncertain.
Asian shares mixed as market await vote results, price data
November 9, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Asian shares were mixed on Wednesday as investors awaited the outcome of the U.S. midterm elections and a major inflation update due later in the week.
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 index slipped 0.2% and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong also shed 0.2%, to 16,517.04.
Asian markets mixed ahead of US elections, inflation data
November 8, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Asian stocks were mixed Tuesday ahead of the U.S. midterm elections with trading likely to stay bumpy in a week that brings new inflation data and other events that could shake markets.
Asia stocks fall after Fed says more US rate hikes likely
November 3, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Asian stock markets tumbled Thursday after the Federal Reserve added to recession fears by saying it wasn't finished raising U.S. interest rates to cool inflation.
Shanghai Disney guests kept in closed park for virus testing
November 1, 2022 GMTBEIJING (AP) — Visitors to Shanghai Disneyland were temporarily blocked from leaving as part of virus testing that extended to more than 400,000 people, the city government announced Tuesday.
The park closed Monday for testing of staff and visitors, Walt Disney Co.
Toyota reports quarterly profit decline amid chips crunch
November 1, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Toyota said Tuesday that its profit fell 31% in the last quarter as a shortage of computer chips offset foreign exchange gains from a weaker yen.
Toyota Motor Corp.'s quarterly profit through September totaled 434 billion yen, or $2.9 billion, down from nearly 627 billion yen a year earlier.