Rural economy set to thrive

Betting on the rural consumer

With a population of 721m, even incremental changes can have a palpable effect on consumer spending.

Subsidy schemes drive rural vehicle demand

Resolute stimulus measures are accelerating vehicle demand in rural China.

Sending white goods to the countryside

Beijing's initiative to subsidise the sale of household appliances in rural China has been gaining traction in recent months though it is not expected to unlock the kind of spending splurge the government had initially hoped for.

Rural reform has a strong political backing

President Hu Jintao is sending rural China a clear message by engaging with farmers and making rural reform the cornerstone of his political legacy.

Rural finance taking off

The spread of increasingly sophisticated, innovative and differentiated financial services to the countryside is propelling the economic emergence of rural China.

Taiwan optimism peaked?

Taiwan funds have been posting outflows for seven out of the last 10 weeks.

Rustic stock picks and Goldman Sachs

Who are the beneficiaries of China's rising food prices?

Land deals set to transform rural China

Farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs and rural financial institutions are finding myriad ways to monetise one of China's last great untapped assets.

China's Sustainability March

Quanqiang Xian, senior portfolio manager for Greater China equities at First State, on the opportunities arising from China's efforts to go green.

Inflation: pork-led?

The risk of CPI inflation driven by food prices is strengthening.

Resources: to tax or not to tax?

Signs of economic recovery have brought forward talk of a long-planned resources tax reform.