Pantheon Publications

6 February 2026 China+ Monitor China seizes its moment to unveil financial ambition blueprint

• China has issued key commentary on its financial future, with RMB reserve-currency status in focus.
• Its ambition goes beyond reserve currency, though, to becoming a major financial power too.
• Structural constraints and other deficiencies limit RMB reserve status, despite its progress in global usage.

China+ Datanote: Industrial Profits, China, December

In one line: China industrial profits 2025: first positive turn in four years, but the path forward remains challenging

China+ Datanote: BoJ Decision, Japan, January

In one line: BoJ stands pats in January, but inflation momentum keeps tightening chances intact.

China+ Datanote: Flash PMIs, Japan, January

In one line: Japan’s PMIs jump in January, pointing to firmer labour demand, especially in manufacturing.

China+ Datanote: National CPI, Japan, December

In one line: Japan CPI slump driven by energy and fresh food; underlying inflation remains sticky

China+ Datanote: 20-Day Exports, Korea, January

In one line: Korea’s 20-day exports rebound buoyed by base effects; monthly momentum actually slowed in January.

30 January 2026 China+ Monitor How Beijing is using diplomacy to expose cracks in Western alliances

• US allies’ visits to China signal geopolitical hedging, but don’t expect genuine economic integration. 
• Beijing appears to be organising these visits to isolate Washington, judging by who initiated the invitations.
• Middle powers are hedging against US unpredictability, but economic fragmentation will lead to higher inflation.

January 2026 - China+ Chartbook

• - CHINA SEES LESS URGENCY TO STABILISE PROPERTY MARKET
• - BOJ WON'T HURRY RATE HIKES, DESPITE SNAP ELECTION
• - BOK LIKELY HOPES TO SQUEEZE IN ONE MORE RATE CUT

China+ Datanote: Loan Prime Rates, China, January

In one line: China’s LPR on hold in January; targeted structural rate cuts unclog credit supply and hopefully induce more loan demand.

CHINA+ DATA WRAP 09 January 2026: China inflation was firmer in December, but sustained reflation remains challenging

In one line: China inflation was firmer in December, but sustained reflation remains challenging

China+ Datanote: BoK Decision, Korea, January

In one line: Bank of Korea drops its easing bias as currency stability takes priority

China+ Datanote: Exports, China, December

In one line: Diversification keeps China exports float in 2025; December export upticks largely support by ASEAN & BRICS demand

China+ Datanote: PPI, China, December

In one line: China’s PPI sees firmer monthly momentum, but sustained reflation remains challenging

19 January 2026 China+ Monitor Bank of Korea drops its easing bias as currency stability takes priority

• The Bank of Korea cited excessive KRW volatility as its reason for holding last week, while growth is improving.
• Rising upside risks to growth and inflation, plus FX volatility, are driving a return to a neutral policy stance.
• We still expect a final rate cut in H2, due to uncertainty over global trade policy and the AI cycle.

15 January 2026 China+ Monitor China executed its trade strategy well in 2025 and kept exports afloat

• China’s successful diversification kept its exports afloat in 2025, with the amount exported reaching USD3.77T.
• The record trade surplus masks exceptionally weak imports, which reflect feeble domestic demand.
• China’s export strategy will face rising challenges in 2026 as non-US trade protectionism escalates.

12 January 2026 China+ Monitor China's inflation firms in December, but sustained reflation still tricky

• China’s PPI improved on the back of a better supply-demand balance and rising non-ferrous metal prices.
• December’s CPI pick-up was due to transient factors such as food, offset by falling energy prices.
• Sustained reflation momentum will be difficult to maintain as economic fundamentals remain weak.

China+ Datanote: Foreign Reserves, China, December

In one line: China’s FX reserves rise on currency valuation gains as dollar weakens in December

China+ Datanote: Mfg PMIs, China, December

In one line: China’s manufacturing PMIs edges back into expansion, but sustainability remains in question

CHINA+ DATA WRAP 1 January 2026: China's manufacturing and non-manufacturing PMIs rebound, but momentum looks fragile

In one line: China's manufacturing and non-manufacturing PMIs rebound, but momentum looks fragile

6 January 2026 China+ Monitor China's services firms optimistic despite cooling in demand

• The December RatingDog services PMI points to slowing demand but a marked revival in sentiment.
• Firms are reluctant to hire though, and services inflation pressure is muted.
• China has provided more funds for consumer subsidies, though less than this time last year.