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- China and Iceland Enter Into Free-Trade Deal - Editor, 24 April 2013
- Australia and China Strengthen Ties - Editor, 10 April 2013
- China's Solar Energy Supply Outstrips Demand - Editor, 27 March 2013
- China-Qatar Bilateral Trade Up 45% - Editor, 27 February 2013
- China Becomes World's Biggest Trading Nation - Editor, 13 February 2013
- Decline in China’s Workforce May Impact Economy - Editor, 30 January 2013
- Jeep to Manufacture in China for Domestic Market - Editor, 16 January 2013
During a recent state visit to Beijing by Iceland's Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir, the two countries signed a free-trade deal which aims to eliminate most trade tariffs in the next few years. This is the first such agreement that China has signed with a European country and some analysts are of the opinion that it is part of China's strategy to reach out for allies as many of its historic trading partners are wary of China's increasing economic influence.
Following months of negotiations between Australia and China, a strategic partnership agreement was concluded between Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the last day of Ms Gillard's five-day visit to China. Analysts note that the agreement, which commits to annual meetings between the Prime Ministers of China and Australia, is a major achievement for Ms Gillard, bearing in mind that China has this type of arrangement with only two other countries, being Germany and Russia, with the latter being a fellow member of BRICS – the association of emerging national economies consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and since 2010, South Africa.
China's solar panel industry is facing a dilemma as supply continues to outstrip demand, resulting in solar panel prices dropping up to 66 percent over the last two years. Industry estimates reveal that the current global demand for solar power is 30-35 gigawatts (GW), while supply is 50-60 GW, with most of this coming from China.
Recent figures released by Chinese Ambassador to Qatar, Gao Youzhen, reveal that bilateral trade between China and Qatar has increased by an astounding 45 percent, totaling $8.45 bn in 2012. The ambassador noted that China primarily imported oil and gas from Qatar, while exports to Qatar covered a wide range of products, including construction materials, electrical products, furniture and household items. Imports from Qatar amounted to $7.2 bn, while exports to the sovereign Arab state amounted to $1.2 bn.
Recent data from China has revealed that the country has unseated the United States as the world's biggest trading nation in goods. China's imports and exports reached a total of $3.87 trillion in 2012, compared with the $3.82 trillion trade in goods reported by the US commerce department. This is reportedly the first time since World War II that the United States has not been the world's biggest trading nation.
Recent official data has revealed that China's working age population (people between the ages of 15 and 59 years) fell by 3.45 million in 2012, with analysts noting that, in a nation of 1.35 billion the immediate effect is likely to be small, but the cumulative effects in the coming decades may have a devastating impact on the country's economy.
Chrysler Group LLC and Fiat SpA have recently made known their intention to tap into what is currently considered to be the largest automobile market in the world, by entering into an agreement with Guangzhou Automobile Group to increase their presence on passenger car manufacturing and sales in China, including the iconic Jeep. President of the Guangzhou Automobile Group Wang Xia attended the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit, USA, using the occasion to make the announcement, which was accompanied by joint news releases from the American and Italian automakers.
Recent Articles
- China-India Trade Ties Strengthened - Editor, Wednesday 22 may 2013
- China's New Auto Market Gains Momentum - Editor, Wednesday 8 may 2013
- China and Iceland Enter Into Free-Trade Deal - Editor, Wednesday 24 April 2013
- Australia and China Strengthen Ties - Editor, Wednesday 10 April 2013
- China's Solar Energy Supply Outstrips Demand - Editor, Wednesday 27 March 2013

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