A Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldier stands guard in front of the National Museum of China in Beijing on March 3, 2025, ahead of the country’s annual legislative meetings known as the “Two Sessions.” Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images China has set its lowest growth target in decades, acknowledging domestic challenges and…
China’s liquid-fueled intercontinental strategic nuclear missiles DongFeng-5C, which have a global strike range, pass through Tian’anmen Square during the V-Day military parade on September 3, 2025 in Beijing, China. China News Service | China News Service | Getty Images BEIJING — China plans to increase its defense spending by 7% this year, the slowest rise…
Xi Jinping, China’s president, center, attends the opening session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Qilai Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images China on Thursday set its GDP growth target for 2026 at 4.5% to 5% — the lowest…
A Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldier stands guard in front of the National Museum of China in Beijing on March 3, 2025, ahead of the country’s annual legislative meetings known as the “Two Sessions.” Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images BEIJING — China’s top policymakers are due to release growth targets and stimulus…
A cargo ship is parked at a berth loading and unloading containers at the Lianyungang Port Container Terminal in Jiangsu Province, China on March 1, 2026. Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images China’s factory activity faltered in February as manufacturers paused production and cargo shipment to celebrate an extended holiday, an official survey showed…
A prolonged surge in natural gas prices triggered by the ongoing war in the Middle East risks denting European growth and hitting some Asian economies hard, analysts have warned. Global gas prices have soared this week amid fears of a lengthy disruption to energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz — a key shipping route…
A monitor plays footage of US President Donald Trump announcing US and Israeli strikes against Iran in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, U.S., on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images BEIJING — Uncertainty is growing over U.S. President Donald Trump‘s high-stakes trip to…
The biggest disruption to global air transport since the Covid pandemic continued on March 1, with thousands of flights affected and busy Middle Eastern hubs including Dubai and Doha shuttered as Iran lashed out after U.S.-Israeli strikes. Justin Tallis | Afp | Getty Images Airline stocks led losses in Asia on Monday as Middle East…
TOPSHOT – A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) Afp | Getty Images The escalating conflict in the Middle East is fueling fears that Washington’s pursuit of regime change in Iran, and Tehran’s retaliation, could destabilize regions from the Gulf to…
People watch performances to welcome the ‘God of Wealth’ during Lunar New Year festivities at Qianmen Street in Beijing, China, on February 21, 2026. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images BEIJING — China’s consumer market is recovering — just enough that policymakers likely won’t need to roll out the large-scale stimulus that investors have long…
