Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
China Confident in Meeting 2023 Economic Goals with New Stimulus Measures
China’s top economic planner, Zheng Shanjie, has expressed confidence in achieving the country's 2023 economic and social development targets. At a press conference, Zheng announced that part of the 2025 budget will be issued ahead of schedule this year to support local governments and key investment projects.
A package of stimulus measures introduced in late September has propelled Chinese shares to two-year highs, driven by renewed investor optimism after the National Day holiday. Economists are expecting further fiscal support to maintain this momentum.
Economic Challenges and Government Response
While China's economy remains stable, Zheng acknowledged growing internal and external challenges, including intensified competition in some industries. To support growth, the government will allocate 100 billion yuan ($14.12 billion) from next year’s central budget and another 100 billion yuan by the end of 2023 for critical projects.
Zheng stressed the importance of accelerating fiscal spending and reinforcing macroeconomic policies to counter mounting downward pressures on the economy.
China's Growth Target
Despite setting a 5% growth target for 2023, economic indicators show slowing momentum since the second quarter. In response, China unveiled its most significant monetary stimulus package since the COVID-19 pandemic, including measures to stabilize the property market. This reflects the government’s increasing efforts to avert an economic downturn.
A vice-chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) affirmed that China’s economic growth has remained "generally stable" throughout the first three quarters of 2023, despite the challenges ahead.
