CHINA+ DATA WRAP 20 May 2026: Rates on hold, despite April slowdown

In one line: Policy rate cut only likely after several months of flagging growth

21 May 2026 China+ Monitor Xi-Trump summit ends with warm optics, but strategic rivalry still intact

• President Trump’s visit to China achieved no major breakthroughs, but strategic dialogue will continue…
•  …Underwhelming business deals were signed, while no decisions were made on extending the trade truce.
• Japan’s Q1 GDP surprised to the upside, but Hormuz risks complicate the BoJ’s rate-hike decision in June.

20 May 2026 China+ Monitor China's residential market seeing flickers of light

• China’s tier-one cities are enjoying a ‘mini boom’, raising hopes that the end of the property downturn is in sight.
• But national housing inventories still have almost a year to go before they reach a sustainable level.
• Cities are finding new ways to unlock genuine demand, though developer funding is still under pressure.

19 May 2026 China+ Monitor China's shaky start to Q2 to put the focus on policy implementation

• China’s April data point to slowing activity, only partly explained by the global energy shock.
• Retail sales growth at 0.2% was the worst since December 2022, highlighting poor domestic demand.
• Investment is weak, though probably better than April’s figure—the worst since February 2020—suggests.

CHINA+ DATA WRAP 18 May 2026: China hits a speed bump in April

In one line: April's weak economic data due to energy shock and severe weather

18 May 2026 China+ Monitor If you can't beat them, deal with them; reconfiguring US-China ties

• President Trump’s visit to Beijing last week marked a  gradual improvement in bilateral relations...
• ...Which is likely to continue while Mr. Trump is in dealmaking mode to salvage his low popularity.
• The two countries’ different approaches to the AI  transition should diffuse one key source of strain. 

PM Datanote: Money & Credit, China, April

In one line: rise in fiscal deposits likely points to temporary building activity disruptions due to severe weather.

14 May 2026 China+ Monitor What to expect from high-stakes Xi-Trump summit in Beijing

• The Xi-Trump summit is likely to be about optics and relationship building with no major policy breakthrough.
• China enters the talks with stronger leverage, as its trade exposure to US demand has declined sharply.
• Markets should monitor Phase Three trade talks, any Boeing deals, Iran war coordination, Taiwan arms sales.

CHINA+ DATA WRAP 12 May 2026: Japan's household spending slows

In one line: People curbed spending in response to fuel price hikes in March

13 May 2026 China+ Monitor China's inflation still under control despite energy bump

• China’s consumer inflation rose 0.2pp to 1.2% in April, on the back of fuel-price rises.
• The government will continue to soften the impact of high international energy prices on end-users.
• Industry is likely to bear the brunt of higher energy costs, amid still-sluggish domestic demand..

CN Datanote: Exports, China, March

In one line: China trade surplus hit by soft exports and hi-tech driven imports

PM Datanote: BoK Decision, Korea, April

In one line: BoK stays put, leaving canvas blank for incoming Shin amid war-induced growth and inflation risks.

PM Datanote: Wages, Japan, February

In one line: Japan’s solid wage growth beats expectations, supporting an April’s BoJ hike.

PM Datanote: Whole Economy PMI, Hong Kong, March

In one line: Hong Kong PMI falls below 50 for first time since August 2025 amid war uncertainty in the Middle East

PM Datanote: RatingDog Services PMI, China, March

In one line: China’s RatingDog services PMI cools on payback effect, wither employment softening

PM Datanote: Exports, Korea, March

In one line: Korea exports surge on higher chip prices and post-LNY boost;  the BoK turns cautious 

CN Datanote: CPI, China, March

In one line: China CPI: Post LNY decline less pronounced as energy contribution rises 

CN Datanote: PPI, China, March

In one line: China ends 41-month of PPI deflation as war-driven energy spike lifts prices

CN Datanote: PPI, China, April

In one line: China’s PPI jumps on energy shock as war-driven reflation accelerates

CN Datanote: CPI, China, April

In one line: China’s CPI surprises to the upside as energy inflation accelerates in April