China's continued focus on the same export-driven model is bound to hit an impasse

April 2, 2024--China's 'Two Sessions'- the National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)- took place from 4-11 March in Beijing. Premier Li Qiang delivered his first 'work report' which marked both the beginning of a new era for China and the 75th anniversary of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

This is the first year that China is experiencing full economic normalisation after the pandemic, as a positive push from the end of mobility restrictions under Zero-Covid policies in 2022 distorted economic data in 2023.

Li Qiang's first 'work report' delivered on 5 March signifies a departure from the previous decade under Premier Li Keqiang's leadership. The report puts more emphasis on the supply side rather than on the demand side of the economy. The focus on 'new productive forces' in the report indicates that China aims to double down on manufacturing and advanced manufacturing, while demand-oriented stimulus measures seem to be less relevant. Foreign investors were expecting China to announce fiscal and/or monetary stimuli to support the fledging economy. The disappointment of investors was felt in a 2% drop in the Hang Seng Index right after the 'work report' was delivered, which is China's most relevant offshore barometer of foreign sentiment.

Fujitsu to develop ETF trading platform based on TSE's CONNEQTOR and provide it to Australian Securities Exchange

July 2, 2025-The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Inc. (TSE), and Fujitsu Limited on June 2, 2025 signed MOU to develop a SaaS-based Request for Quote (RFQ) platform. Fujitsu will develop the platform based on "CONNEQTOR, " an RFQ platform for the ETF market developed by TSE and Fujitsu, and provide it to ASX.

QFIIs Gain Access to Onshore ETF Options As A-share Market Opening Deepens

June 25, 2025-Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFIIs) will be permitted to trade onshore ETF options starting October 9, exclusively for hedging purposes, according to the China Securities Regulatory Commission.