Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
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Alibaba's Earnings Miss Expectations Despite Cloud Division's Growth Amid China’s Economic Slowdown
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., once the titan of Chinese e-commerce, is grappling with mounting challenges as its latest earnings report reveals a mixed performance. The company, which has long been seen as a bellwether for the broader Chinese economy, missed both top and bottom-line expectations for the June quarter of 2024. 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., once the titan of Chinese e-commerce, is grappling with mounting challenges as its latest earnings report reveals a mixed performance. The company, which has long been seen as a bellwether for the broader Chinese economy, missed both top and bottom-line expectations for the June quarter of 2024. -
China's Industrial Slowdown Raises Red Flags Despite Uptick in Retail Sales
China's economic recovery showed further signs of strain in July as industrial production slowed for the third consecutive month, dampening hopes for a swift rebound in the world's second-largest economy. The latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday highlighted a mixed economic landscape, with industrial output growth falling short of expectations while retail sales saw a modest improvement, suggesting that consumer-focused stimulus measures may be gaining some traction. 
China's economic recovery showed further signs of strain in July as industrial production slowed for the third consecutive month, dampening hopes for a swift rebound in the world's second-largest economy. The latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Thursday highlighted a mixed economic landscape, with industrial output growth falling short of expectations while retail sales saw a modest improvement, suggesting that consumer-focused stimulus measures may be gaining some traction. -
China’s Bond Market Shaken as Central Bank Cracks Down on Speculative Frenzy
China's bond market, one of the world's largest, is facing significant turmoil as the People's Bank of China (PBOC) intensifies efforts to control an unexpected surge in bond buying. This spike in activity has driven long-term government bond yields to historic lows, reflecting investor anxiety over the country's slowing economic growth and deflationary pressures. The central bank's interventions underscore the delicate balance Beijing must maintain between stimulating the economy and preventing market instability. 
China's bond market, one of the world's largest, is facing significant turmoil as the People's Bank of China (PBOC) intensifies efforts to control an unexpected surge in bond buying. This spike in activity has driven long-term government bond yields to historic lows, reflecting investor anxiety over the country's slowing economic growth and deflationary pressures. The central bank's interventions underscore the delicate balance Beijing must maintain between stimulating the economy and preventing market instability. -
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to Resign Amid Political Turmoil and Economic Challenges
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced his decision to step down next month, a move that has sent ripples through Japan's political landscape and sparked widespread speculation about the future of the nation's leadership. Kishida's decision comes as Japan navigates a series of economic and political challenges, including a weakening yen, growing public dissatisfaction, and internal party disputes. His resignation marks the end of a tumultuous tenure, raising questions about the direction of one of Asia's most pivotal democracies. 
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has announced his decision to step down next month, a move that has sent ripples through Japan's political landscape and sparked widespread speculation about the future of the nation's leadership. Kishida's decision comes as Japan navigates a series of economic and political challenges, including a weakening yen, growing public dissatisfaction, and internal party disputes. His resignation marks the end of a tumultuous tenure, raising questions about the direction of one of Asia's most pivotal democracies. -
Nuclear Nightmare Looms: IAEA Warns of Catastrophe as Ukraine Strikes Deep into Russia’s Kursk Region
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates, the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog has issued a stark warning about the growing risk of a nuclear disaster in Russia's Kursk region. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), called for "maximum restraint" from both sides to avoid what could be a catastrophic nuclear accident. 
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates, the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog has issued a stark warning about the growing risk of a nuclear disaster in Russia's Kursk region. Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), called for "maximum restraint" from both sides to avoid what could be a catastrophic nuclear accident. -
Philippines and Vietnam Forge Closer Ties with First Joint Coast Guard Drills Amid South China Sea Tensions
In a significant display of maritime collaboration, the coast guards of the Philippines and Vietnam conducted their first-ever joint exercises in Manila Bay on Friday, marking a new chapter in the two nations' efforts to bolster regional security and cooperation. The exercises, which included firefighting, search and rescue operations, and medical response simulations, come at a time of heightened tensions in the South China Sea, a region where both countries have long-standing territorial disputes with China. 
In a significant display of maritime collaboration, the coast guards of the Philippines and Vietnam conducted their first-ever joint exercises in Manila Bay on Friday, marking a new chapter in the two nations' efforts to bolster regional security and cooperation. The exercises, which included firefighting, search and rescue operations, and medical response simulations, come at a time of heightened tensions in the South China Sea, a region where both countries have long-standing territorial disputes with China. -
U.S. Expands Ban on Chinese Imports Over Alleged Uyghur Forced Labor, Escalating Trade Tension
The United States has intensified its efforts to eliminate goods made with forced labor from its supply chain by imposing a ban on imports from five additional Chinese companies. The latest action, announced on Thursday, adds to an expanding list of entities that the U.S. government alleges are complicit in human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims and other minority groups in China's Xinjiang region. 
The United States has intensified its efforts to eliminate goods made with forced labor from its supply chain by imposing a ban on imports from five additional Chinese companies. The latest action, announced on Thursday, adds to an expanding list of entities that the U.S. government alleges are complicit in human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims and other minority groups in China's Xinjiang region. -
Japan on High Alert as Scientists Warn of Potential 'Megaquake' Following 7.1 Tremor
Japan's Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has canceled a planned diplomatic trip to Central Asia as the country grapples with the looming threat of a potential "megaquake." This unprecedented move follows the Japan Meteorological Agency's issuance of its first-ever "megaquake advisory" after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Kyushu island on Thursday, raising alarms about the possible activation of the Nankai Trough, a notorious seismic hotspot. 
Japan's Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has canceled a planned diplomatic trip to Central Asia as the country grapples with the looming threat of a potential "megaquake." This unprecedented move follows the Japan Meteorological Agency's issuance of its first-ever "megaquake advisory" after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Kyushu island on Thursday, raising alarms about the possible activation of the Nankai Trough, a notorious seismic hotspot. -
Over Half of New Car Sales in China Now Electric or Hybrid, Outpacing Global Competitors
More than half of all new cars sold in China last month were either electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). This represents a significant milestone for the world's largest car market, underscoring the rapid shift towards new energy vehicles (NEVs) and highlighting China's aggressive push to dominate the global EV landscape. 
More than half of all new cars sold in China last month were either electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). This represents a significant milestone for the world's largest car market, underscoring the rapid shift towards new energy vehicles (NEVs) and highlighting China's aggressive push to dominate the global EV landscape. -
U.S. and Global Anti-Doping Agencies Clash Over Undercover Tactics
the U.S. and global anti-doping agencies are at odds over controversial tactics employed by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to combat drug use in sports. 
the U.S. and global anti-doping agencies are at odds over controversial tactics employed by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to combat drug use in sports.
