Optimism returns ...gingerly

All work makes defensive plays

A search for differentiators in an oversupplied job market is creating surprising buoyancy in some parts of the for-profit education market.

Testing times for ATA

ATA reported questionable results last quarter, out of character for China's largest test provider. China Confidential investigates.

Online A-grade stars

Investors keen to reap the benefits of China's burgeoning for-profit education sector are now looking online for the 'next New Oriental'.

Education Market Overview

Getting to grips with the size of China's for-profit education sector.

Pass marks for New Oriental

Over the long term, English language test-prep network New Oriental is the most downturn-resistant company in China's fiercely competitive for-profit educational services sector.

The team of rivals

Economic trials are causing stress among China’s leaders and intensifying rivalries, but it is too early to identify debilitating rifts in policymaking.

Taiwan in the sun

Despite China-related funds continuing to show lacklustre performance this year, Taiwan funds showed a marked improvement over their counterparts in the last two weeks.

Are Beijing’s boosters kicking in?

China Confidential researchers investigate the extent to which a series of recently announced plans to stimulate the economy are being implemented at a local level.

A healthy investment in China

Chris Ruffle, manager of China Fund Inc and the Martin Currie China Hedge Fund, talks about China's healthcare sector as the silver lining of the country's economic storm clouds.

Growth ABCs, or should that be VWLs?

Some of China's leading economists spell out their forecasts for the shape of China's economic rebound.

Can living off Rmb 100 a week be glorious?

Wang Hao, a Beijing based office worker in his twenties, calls for 2009 as a time to be frugal.

5th – 18th March

China’s statistics bureau released steady January and February retail figures and lacklustre industrial output figures, Wen promised 8% growth this year and announced a series of economic boosters, local governments were authorised to issue bonds, Beijing pursues its energy and resources grab, and melamine milk victims make a breakthrough with lawsuits.