Tag: China

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Beyond

India limits Chinese CCTV sales

India has introduced new rules from April 1 that limit the sale of many Chinese-made CCTV cameras. The decision is part of the government’s effort to improve cybersecurity and reduce reliance on foreign technology.

Under the new rules, all CCTV cameras that connect to the internet must get government approval before being sold. Companies whose products do not meet these standards will not be allowed to sell in India. Many Chinese brands are affected, as their devices have not received the required certification.

The main reason behind this move is concern over data safety. Officials worry that some imported cameras could have security risks, such as hidden access points that may allow outsiders to view or steal data.

For people who already have Chinese CCTV cameras installed at home or in offices, there is no need to worry immediately. These existing devices will continue to work as usual. The rules apply only to new sales and imports, not to cameras that are already in use.

However, there may be some problems in the future. As these companies reduce their presence in India, users might find it harder to get software updates, security fixes, or customer support. This could make the cameras less secure over time.

The new policy is expected to benefit Indian manufacturers, as it encourages the use of locally made products. Many domestic companies are likely to gain a larger share of the market as a result.

At the same time, experts say that fewer options in the market could lead to higher prices in the short term.

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Leaders

India appoints Vikram Doraiswami as envoy to China

India has appointed senior Indian Foreign Service officer Vikram K. Doraiswami as its next Ambassador to China, a significant diplomatic decision as New Delhi continues to navigate its sensitive and strategic ties with Beijing. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the appointment, noting that he will assume the role in the near future.

Doraiswami is currently serving as India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and belongs to the 1992 batch of the IFS. Over the course of his three-decade-long career, he has held several key diplomatic assignments, including serving as Ambassador to Bangladesh and Uzbekistan, as well as postings in South Korea and other important missions. His extensive experience makes him one of India’s most seasoned diplomats.

Importantly, Doraiswami is regarded as a China expert. He has prior experience working in Beijing during the early years of his career and has also received training in the Chinese language. This background is expected to prove valuable as he steps into one of India’s most challenging diplomatic roles.

He will replace Pradeep Kumar Rawat, who served as India’s Ambassador to China during a period marked by both tensions and sustained diplomatic engagement. Rawat played a key role in maintaining communication between the two countries amid ongoing border issues and efforts to stabilize relations.

Doraiswami’s appointment comes at a time when India-China relations remain delicate. Tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh have persisted in recent years, even as both countries continue military and diplomatic discussions to ease the situation. At the same time, economic and regional considerations make continued engagement between the two nations essential.

By appointing a diplomat with deep regional expertise and prior China experience, India appears to be signaling its intent to maintain steady and informed engagement with Beijing. Doraiswami is expected to focus on strengthening dialogue mechanisms, managing differences, and identifying areas of cooperation where possible.

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1 Minute-Read

China consumer inflation rises in February

China’s consumer prices increased in February, helped by higher spending during the Lunar New Year holiday. Data showed the country’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.3% from a year earlier, marking the fastest rise in more than three years. Prices for services such as travel, dining and tourism increased as people spent more during the festive period.

However, price pressure at factories remained weak. China’s Producer Price Index (PPI) fell 0.9% year-on-year, though the decline was smaller than in the previous month. Economists say the data indicates some improvement in consumer demand, but the economy still faces challenges from weak industrial activity and slow domestic recovery.

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1 Minute-Read

WTO panel to hear China’s challenge on India’s auto, EV incentives

The World Trade Organization (WTO) will set up a panel to examine China’s complaint against India’s production-linked incentives for automobiles, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.

Beijing claims the schemes discriminate against its exporters, while India insists the measures are fully WTO-compliant and aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing. After bilateral talks failed, the panel process was triggered.

Officials said India will vigorously defend its programmes, which follow WTO rules. Several countries, including the US and EU, may join as third parties.

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1 Minute-Read

China urges banks to cut US treasury holdings

China has instructed its major banks to reduce their exposure to US Treasury bonds, aiming to manage risk amid market volatility. Banks are advised to limit new purchases and gradually scale down existing holdings, though no strict targets or deadlines were given.

The guidance focuses on commercial bank portfolios and does not affect China’s sovereign reserves.

Analysts say the decision reflects a broader trend of diversifying away from dollar-denominated assets, as Chinese holdings of US government debt have declined to multi-year lows.

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Beyond

China’s BYD challenges Trump’s tariffs at US court

Chinese electric vehicle and clean-energy major BYD has taken a significant legal step in the United States, filing a lawsuit against the federal government to challenge tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

The case, filed in the US Court of International Trade in New York, seeks refunds for import duties paid since April and questions the legal basis used to impose the levies. BYD’s US subsidiaries argue that the tariffs were introduced under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a law meant for national security emergencies, not for imposing broad trade barriers.

The emergency law does not explicitly allow the government to levy import tariffs. BYD is asking the court to order the repayment of duties already paid and to safeguard its right to future refunds if the tariffs are ruled invalid.

While BYD does not sell passenger cars in the US, it has a growing footprint in the country through its electric buses, trucks, batteries, energy storage systems and solar products. Its manufacturing facility in Lancaster, California, employs around 750 workers, making the company an active contributor to local jobs and clean-energy infrastructure.

The legal move places BYD among a rising number of global companies challenging Trump’s trade policies. The dispute also comes as the US Supreme Court considers a separate case that could ultimately decide whether emergency powers can be used to justify such tariffs.

For Washington, the case revives a sensitive debate around trade protectionism and executive authority. For BYD, it is both a financial and strategic decision, aimed at recovering costs while seeking clarity on the rules governing global trade.

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Beyond

US plans $12 bn critical minerals

The United States has announced plans to create a $12 billion strategic stockpile of critical minerals, as President Donald Trump moves to reduce the country’s heavy dependence on China for materials essential to modern industry, clean energy, and national security.

The initiative, unveiled on February 2, will function on the lines of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve but will focus on minerals instead of oil. It is designed to protect American companies from supply disruptions, price shocks, and geopolitical risks linked to China’s dominance in the global minerals market.

Under the plan, funding will come from a mix of government-backed financing and private investment. The US Export-Import Bank is expected to provide the bulk of the support, while private companies will participate by committing to buy minerals from the reserve. The stockpile will include materials such as rare earth elements, lithium, nickel, cobalt, gallium, and graphite, all of which are critical for manufacturing electric vehicles, semiconductors, renewable energy equipment, electronics, and defence systems.

China currently controls a large share of the world’s mining and, more importantly, processing capacity for many of these minerals. Recent Chinese export controls and trade tensions have raised concerns in Washington about supply security. US officials say the new reserve is meant to ensure that American manufacturers are not left vulnerable during political disputes or global supply chain disruptions.

Several major US companies, including firms from the automotive, aerospace, technology, and energy sectors, have expressed interest in participating in the programme. Commodities trading firms will help procure, store, and manage the materials, ensuring they are available when needed.

According to officials, the stockpile is expected to hold around two months’ supply of selected critical minerals. While the move is seen as an important step, experts note that stockpiling alone will not solve long-term challenges. Expanding domestic mining, improving processing capacity, and building reliable supply partnerships with allied countries will remain crucial.

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Corporate

China’s Anta Sports invests in Puma for $1.8 bn

China’s leading sportswear company Anta Sports Products has taken a significant step onto the global stage by agreeing to buy a 29.1% stake in German sports brand Puma in a deal worth around $1.8 billion (€1.5 billion). The shares are being acquired from Artemis, the investment firm of the Pinault family, which has been a long-time major shareholder in Puma.

The deal will make Anta Puma’s largest shareholder, though the Chinese company has clarified that it does not plan a full takeover at this stage. Anta will pay €35 per share in cash, offering a substantial premium over Puma’s recent market price,  a sign of strong belief in the brand’s long-term value.

For Anta, the investment is part of a broader strategy to expand its international presence. The company already manages several well-known global brands, including Fila in China, outdoor label Jack Wolfskin, and sports names such as Salomon and Wilson through its stake in Amer Sports. Adding Puma to this portfolio strengthens Anta’s position as a major global player in the sporting goods industry.

For Puma, the move comes at a crucial time. The German brand has been facing slower sales growth and stiff competition from rivals like Nike and Adidas. While Puma has been working on a turnaround under new leadership, recent performance pressures have weighed on its market confidence. The entry of Anta as a strategic shareholder could provide both stability and new growth opportunities, especially in Asian markets.

The transaction is still subject to regulatory and antitrust approvals and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. If cleared, the partnership could reshape the competitive landscape of the global sportswear industry, blending European brand heritage with Chinese market strength.

Industry observers say Anta’s strong distribution network and deep understanding of the Chinese consumer could help Puma regain momentum in the world’s largest sportswear market. At the same time, Puma’s global brand strength offers Anta greater international visibility.

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Beyond

Canada rejects China deal after 100% tariff threat

Canada has ruled out any free trade agreement with China, after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods if Ottawa went ahead. Prime Minister Mark Carney clarified that Canada remains committed to its North American trade agreements and has no intention of pursuing a broad pact with Beijing.

Speaking on Sunday, January 25, Carney emphasised that Canada’s limited engagement with China has focused only on resolving specific tariff disputes, not on negotiating a full-fledged trade deal. “We respect our commitments under the USMCA. We are not planning any free trade agreements with China or other non-market economies,” he said.

The remarks follow a week of tense exchanges between Washington and Ottawa. Trump’s warnings came after reports that Canada was exploring closer trade ties with China, prompting fears in the US that Chinese goods could gain easier access to North American markets through Canada.

Recent agreements with China have been narrow and targeted. Canada reduced tariffs on a small number of Chinese electric vehicles, while Beijing agreed to ease duties on some Canadian exports, including canola and seafood. These measures, Carney stressed, are far from a comprehensive trade deal.

The US threat has added strain to Canada-US trade relations, but Carney’s firm stance sends a clear message: Ottawa seeks to balance global economic ties while honouring obligations to its North American partners. Analysts say the move highlights Canada’s careful approach to diplomacy, ensuring it can engage with global markets without triggering conflicts with the US.

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Beyond

China’s economy grows 5% in 2025

China’s economy grew by 5 per cent in 2025, meeting the government’s annual growth target despite sluggish domestic activity and ongoing trade tensions with the United States. The growth was supported primarily by strong exports, which helped the country navigate challenges from slower consumer spending, low investment, and deflationary pressures.

Data released by Chinese authorities show that GDP rose 5 per cent year‑on‑year, although growth slowed in the fourth quarter to 4.5 per cent, marking the weakest quarterly expansion since the country reopened after the pandemic. Nominal GDP, which does not account for inflation, rose only 4 per cent, highlighting the pressure on domestic economic activity.

Exports remained the key driver of growth. Demand from overseas markets, including Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa, helped offset a slowdown in shipments to the United States caused by higher tariffs. China’s trade surplus reached about $1.2 trillion in 2025, underlining the strength of its external sector.

Domestic consumption and investment, however, showed uneven performance. Retail sales rose only modestly, while fixed‑asset and private investment weakened. Deflation continued for a third straight year, limiting consumer spending and overall confidence. Industrial production held up better, but the domestic economy’s recovery remained fragile.

Policy makers in Beijing acknowledge the imbalance between strong exports and weak internal demand. Plans under the new five‑year strategy aim to strengthen household consumption and the service sector, but authorities are cautious about large-scale stimulus due to local government debt and inflation concerns.

Analysts warn that China’s heavy reliance on exports makes growth vulnerable to future global trade disruptions. Sustainable long-term expansion will depend on boosting domestic demand and implementing structural reforms to encourage private investment and household spending.

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