Christopher Balding

Politics & Policy

China’s Truce With U.S. Exposes Rest of the World

The phase one pact may lead Beijing to put more trade pressure on other countries.

President Trump Signs Presidential Memorandum Targeting China's Economic Aggression

Politics & Policy

Trump Won’t Be Able to Let China Slide on Trade Deal

How much Beijing complies with the recent agreement will set the tone for relations in an election year.

Economics

Look Within for China’s True Growth Threat

Weakness in domestic demand is a bigger danger to the global economy than the trade war with the U.S.

Finance

One Good Reason to Delist Chinese Companies

They shouldn't be on U.S. exchanges if they won't submit to the same audit scrutiny as everyone else.

International Green Week 2018 Agricultural Trade Fair

Economics

China's Food Is Only Going to Get Pricier

African swine fever is threatening the country’s pork supply. Rising food prices may become more of a headache than the trade war.

Yuan And Dollar Banknotes Ahead Of Tenth Anniversary Of China's Yuan Reform

Economics

The Dollar Dictates China’s Need for a Trade Deal

The country's exploding foreign debt means it has to keep hard currency coming in.

Chinese Factories Have Worst Result Since 2016, Caixin PMI Shows

Economics

China's Growth Story Has Plenty of Holes

Don’t get carried away by the green shoots. Ample data show that Beijing’s targets are increasingly unrealistic.

Economics

China’s Banks Have a Hidden Wave of Bad Debt

Factor in the amount of soured loans they stripped from their balance sheets last year, and the situation looks a lot more troubling.

Images Of Wireless Payment Methods In Hong Kong

Business

China Is Strangling Its Private Champions

By taking over the deposits of platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay, the PBOC is making a power grab. All in the name of protecting consumers.

Economics

Bad Jobs Data Could Bite China

If unemployment numbers aren’t really as rosy as they appear, Beijing’s stimulus policies could well misfire.

Golden Piggy Banks For Lottery To Celebrate New Year In Binzhou

Economics

China’s Hunger for Capital Is Behind Market Opening

Authorities must improve the quality of financial statements and legal protections to revive confidence among foreign investors.

Shanghai's Financial District as China Targets Smaller Lenders in Latest Shadow Banking Crackdown

Finance

China’s Banks Are Desperate for Capital

Lenders can’t continue this pace of loan growth without a bigger cushion. Beijing needs to make fundraising easier.

General Images Of South Korean Won And Chinese Yuan Currency Notes

Economics

China Has a Dangerous Dollar Debt Addiction

With $1.2 trillion needing to be rolled over this year, the threat of a funding crunch is rising.

Shoppers In Beijing As Retail Sales Growth Slows

Economics

Beijing Dithers as the Economy Declines

China’s slowdown is more acute than appreciated, and December’s policy summit failed to set a clear direction.

Wuhan New Port: Largest Inland Port In China

Economics

China Confronts Its Eternal Dilemma

With pressure building for major stimulus, leaders must decide whether boosting growth or controlling debt is more important.

Villagers Perform Kabuki For Farmers In Hinoemata, Fukushima

Economics

China's Yuan Policy Is a Bad Kabuki Play

Beijing’s tweaking of the exchange rate has done little to serve its objectives in the trade war with Washington.

Economics

China Confronts the Pain of Deleveraging, and Blinks

Beijing is wavering on its commitment to restrict debt as stock and commodity markets slump.

Economics

Is the Trade War Really Holding China Back?

Domestic policies such as reining in credit and investment-driven growth are having a much bigger impact on the economy.

PBOC Headquarters as Central Bank Tests Demand for Two-Month Reverse Repos for First Time

Markets

China’s Fighting the Wrong Battle for the Yuan

The PBOC should stop trying to defend seven to the dollar and let its own basket determine the currency’s value.

Images of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and General Economy

Economics

China’s Urge to Splurge Is the Wrong Growth Model

Treating massive projects as disposable does the economy no favors.