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China Life (02628.HK) was increased by Ping An Asset Management by 25.461 million shares

SMIC discloses two new deployments in the advanced packaging field.

China's Auto Patents Surge, BYD's Quarterly R&D Expenses Exceed 10 Billion Yuan

BYD launches three new energy vehicles in Bangladesh

SMIC states that the specialty memory market is facing tight supply, and the company's related production capacity is steadily advancing with its share increasing each quarter.

Bank of China and Singapore Exchange Sign MOU to Deepen Financial Cooperation

JPMorgan Chase Increases Stake in Montage Technology by HK$12.02 Million on May 14

China Mobile's 5G Base Stations Exceed 2.84 Million, Leading Global Coverage and Scale

BYD Executive Responds to Doubts Over Singular Battery Technology Route, Stating Multiple Routes Are Being Developed Simultaneously

Weichai Power Completes Share Buyback: Spent 761 Million RMB to Repurchase Over 50 Million A-Shares

SMIC States Significant Production Demand for Phones and PCs Will Return

Ganfeng Lithium Secures Orders Through H1 2027, Capacity Fully Booked, Plans 50% Output Increase Next Year

Agricultural Bank of China Issues 30 Billion RMB Total Loss Absorbing Capacity Non-Capital Bonds

William O'Neil Resumes Coverage of Sanhua Intelligent Controls with Buy Rating

BYD launches new intelligent in-car radio with off-grid communication support

HKEX Discloses: JPMorgan Increases Short Position in Wuxi AppTec H-Share to 3.34% on May 14

CATL partners with Shanxi to build aluminum-lithium dual-driven new energy industrial cluster

US-China summit yields no chip deal, China may replace Nvidia with domestic chips

CITIC Securities Subsidiary Completes $160 Million Note Issuance to Supplement Overseas Working Capital

BYD's Fang Cheng Bao 'Leopard' Smart Charging Pile Relaunched

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In April, 21 major Chinese cities saw new home prices rise or hold steady, up from 16 in March. First-tier cities experienced a 0.1% increase, with Shanghai showing a 3.7% year-on-year rise. Second-tier cities saw a slight decline of 0.1%, while third-tier cities fell 0.3%. Pre-owned home prices in first-tier cities rose 0.4%, but overall prices remain negative year-on-year. Experts predict continued recovery momentum in May, driven by improved buyer confidence and quality supply.

- In April, the number of major Chinese cities with stable or rising new home prices increased from 16 to 21, with first-tier cities seeing a 0.1% increase.  
- Shanghai was the only first-tier city to experience a year-on-year rise in new home prices at 3.7%, while second-tier cities overall saw a slight decline of 0.1%.  
- Analysts suggest that improving buyer confidence and policy relaxation are driving market recovery, with expectations for continued stability in home prices moving forward.

Yicai

New Home Prices Rise, Hold Steady in Five More Major Chinese Cities in April

National Real Estate Development Investment in China fell 13.7% YoY to RMB2.4 trillion in the first four months, missing the forecast of a 11.5% decline. Residential investment dropped 13.1%, with new housing starts down 22%. Sales value of newly built commercial properties decreased 14.6%, while funds for developers fell 18.4% YoY, indicating a significant downturn in the real estate sector.

AASTOCKS News

National Real Estate Development Investment Down 13.7% YoY in First Four Months, Misses Forecast of -11.5%

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China's economy showed significant slowdown in April, with fixed-asset investment down 1.6%, retail sales rising only 0.2%, and industrial production growing at 4.1%, below expectations. Despite strong exports, domestic consumption remains weak, with new household loans declining and jobless rates for early-career workers rising. Policymakers are adopting a cautious approach amid ongoing economic challenges and high raw material costs.

- China’s economy experienced a broad slowdown in April, with fixed-asset investment declining 1.6% and retail sales rising only 0.2%, below expectations.  
- Industrial production also underperformed, growing 4.1%, significantly less than the anticipated 6%.  
- Despite strong exports and a slight decrease in the jobless rate to 5.2%, consumer confidence remains low, prompting cautious policymaking from Chinese authorities.

Straitstimes

SSE Index

Shenzhen Index

China economy slows sharply as investment returns to contraction

China is actively working to influence the future of global finance, according to CoinDesk. This strategic move is part of a broader competition for global power, which is increasingly centered around financial dominance rather than military might. The shift highlights China's ambition to play a pivotal role in the evolving landscape of international monetary systems.

CoinLive

China Aggressively Shapes Future of Global Finance

In 1Q26, China reported a current account surplus of USD184.1 billion, with a goods trade surplus of USD247.4 billion and a services trade deficit of USD59.6 billion. The capital and financial account recorded a deficit of USD184.1 billion, while direct investment into China showed net inflows.

- In the first quarter of 2026, China's current account surplus was 1.2821 trillion yuan, with a goods trade surplus of 1.7212 trillion yuan and a services trade deficit of 413.9 billion yuan.  
- The capital and financial account recorded a deficit of 1.2821 trillion yuan, despite a net inflow of direct investment into China.  
- In USD terms, the current account surplus amounted to 184.1 billion dollars, alongside a goods trade surplus of 247.4 billion dollars and a services trade deficit of 59.6 billion dollars.

China Reports Current Account Surplus of USD184.1 billion in 1Q26

China April 2026 economic activity data. more to come

Investinglive

China April Retail Sales +0.2% y/y (exp 2%) & Industrial Prduction +4.1% y/y (exp 5.9%)

China's economic data for April indicates a K-shaped recovery, with industrial production expected to rise 6% while retail sales grow only 1.9%. Despite strong exports driven by AI and renewable energy demand, domestic consumption remains sluggish due to a weak job market and consumer caution. Policymakers are adopting a wait-and-see approach amid ongoing economic imbalances, with potential risks from the Iran crisis affecting tech exports.

- China's consumption growth in April is expected to be lower than industrial output growth, with a predicted retail sales increase of 1.9%.  
- Industrial production is anticipated to grow by 6%, driven by strong exports amid global AI investments and renewable energy demand.  
- Despite these positive indicators, weak domestic demand, a sluggish labor market, and ongoing geopolitical tensions pose significant challenges to consumer confidence and investment.

Businesstimes News

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Macquarie Group Limited

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China’s K-shaped economic divide is extending to another quarter

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Morgan Stanley has raised its price targets for major Chinese equity indexes, citing stronger earnings, yuan resilience, and China's role in global supply chains. The Hang Seng Index is projected to reach 28,400, MSCI China at 91, HSCEI at 9,900, and CSI-300 at 5,400, indicating an upside of 8% to 12%. The bank emphasizes opportunities in sectors like technology and green energy, supported by policy initiatives. Despite recent market struggles, Morgan Stanley believes moderate gains are achievable as fundamentals remain strong, with a focus on upcoming geopolitical events potentially influencing investor sentiment.

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Yinhua MSCI China A ETF

China Southern Hang Seng ETF

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Morgan Stanley lifts China equity targets on earnings, yuan strength

Chinese new bank loans fell by 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in April, indicating weak credit demand, as borrowers repaid more than banks extended. This was significantly lower than the expected 325 billion yuan. Total social financing dropped to 620 billion yuan from 5.23 trillion yuan in March. Meanwhile, M2 money supply increased by 8.6% year-on-year, slightly above the anticipated 8.5%.

- Chinese new bank loans decreased by 10 billion yuan in April, indicating weak credit demand.  
- This decline was significantly lower than the expected 325 billion yuan, with borrowers repaying more than the amount extended by banks.  
- Total social financing fell sharply to 620 billion yuan from 5.23 trillion yuan in March, although the M2 money supply rose by 8.6% year-on-year.

MorningStar

China New Yuan Loans Fell in April

New yuan loans in April were -¥10 billion, indicating a concerning trend in credit demand. Year-to-date lending totals ¥8.59 trillion, down from ¥10 trillion last year. This decline suggests weakening economic momentum, prompting potential monetary policy easing by Beijing. Additionally, the US-Iran conflict is raising energy prices, further impacting China's economy, which relies on Iranian oil imports for about 15% of its total needs.

- In April, new RMB loans amounted to -100 billion, raising concerns about potential issues in credit demand following previous fluctuations.  
- The total new bank loans for the year so far reach 8.59 trillion RMB, significantly down from approximately 10 trillion RMB during the same period last year.  
- Weak credit demand signals a decline in economic momentum, which could lead Beijing to further loosen monetary policy, while rising energy prices from U.S.-Iran tensions add additional pressure on the Chinese economy.

China new bank loans disappoint in April as sluggish start to the year continues

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