The dragon’s head roars in Athens
Jens Bastian (MacroPolis) | It was a visit worthy of a plethora of superlatives. The arrival of China’s President Xi Jinping in Athens (November 10-12) was termed a “vote of confidence” for Greece.
China
How mega infrastructure projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America are reshaping development
S. Schindler and J. M. Kanai (The Conversation) | Huge investments in infrastructure are redefining global development, from China’s Belt and Road Initiative to infrastructure development plans from the African Development Bank and the Initiative for the Integration of the Regional Infrastructure of South America.
Trump is flouting global trade rules with China yet embracing them with the EU – here’s why it matters
Charles Hankla (The Conversation) | Just as America’s trade war with China may be winding down, its troubles with Europe seem to be growing.
IEA: rapid development of solar energy in EU will compensate decline in China
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has fixed the global growth of solar and wind power and other clean energies at double digits for this year. 200 GW of new clean energy capacity is expected to be installed by the end of 2019. The largest part of the new capacity will come from solar energy with 115 GW, despite a small contraction in the China market.
Is China’s Belt and Road Initiative Strategic Genius, Arrogant Overreach or Something Else?
Atul Singh via Fair Observer | The Belt and Road Initiative is China’s bold and risky response to internal tensions and external pressure, but it is not backed by an inspiring idea.
Fears of a slowdown more pronounced
Investment Desk, Bank Degroof Petercam │ Fears of a slowdown are more pronounced. We are seeing a slight reduction in trade tensions since President Trump announced a partial delay in the imposition of new tariffs on Chinese products. The tariffs on approximately half of the 300,000 goods subject to the measures will be introduced from 15 December instead of September.
China: interest rate reform to improve transmission
Magdalene Teo, Fixed Income Research Asia, Eric Mak, Equity Research Analyst Asia, Julius Baer │China has opted for interest rate reform (to be more market-oriented) instead of announcing a benchmark rate cut, so liquidity flow is more targeted to the segments that need it.
How to confront a trade conflict without fear
Thomas Lehr (Flossbach von Storch) | The US-China trade conflict is keeping markets on tenterhooks. Should we therefore avoid equities? We encourage investors to be courageous. Quality prevails. An argument in favour of long term investment.
Hong Kong protests: threat to regional stability
Shaun Riordan │ The Hong Kong protests have now entered their tenth week. Over the weekend protestors are reported to have fought running battles with the police in the Metro system. The police have had recourse to batons and tear gas. The dangers for Hong Kong´s political and economic future are clear. But the dangers are much broader than Hong Kong. Markets should be watching carefully.
Trump’s volatile mood wreaks carnage on investors’ confidence
JP Marin-Arrese │ Trump’s volatile mood is wreaking carnage on investors’ confidence. It is a fact that the White House tenant longs to trigger huge uncertainty, even panic, among investors. Yet, by brushing away any hope to strike a truce with China he has outdone himself.