Local commentators debate whether a proposed special economic zone in Qianhai, close to Hong Kong, will be overshadowed by the proposed Shanghai free trade zone

Hot money inflows have been a major driver of the renminbi’s appreciation against the US dollar since the start of the year, prompting Beijing to tighten surveillance of the key unofficial channels through which this money is flowing.

Credit and liquidity conditions should remain robust in 2013, but the rising popularity of alternative sources of financing poses increasing risks 

It seems clear that China’s overall growth rate picked up somewhat in March compared to the Jan-Feb period (CC Apr 5, Macro View). The question is whether Jan-Feb will come to mark the GDP growth low-point for the year. Our view is that it may, but this is not assured.

Proposals to create a Brics-wide development bank has aroused a great deal of debate among Chinese commentators

Premier Wen Jiabao said last week that China was considering “involving itself more deeply” in resolving the eurozone crisis through channels like the European Financial Stability Facility (ESFS) and the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), a $650bn permanent bailout fund that replaces the ESFS in July. But how willing is Beijing to pledge its money in this way and how confident is it that the EU can really put its house in order (thereby safeguarding Beijing’s investments)?

Commentators discuss the US’s recent debt conundrum and the ramifications for China.

The S&P downgrade rocks the steady "trade-for-credit" symbiosis that has formed the basis of the US-China commercial relationship.