Japan and India are joining forces to boost their commercial presence in Africa and counter China’s dominance. Will they be able to compete with the continent's top trading partner – and how is Beijing reacting to the new competition? Stefania Palma reports.
China’s banking sector is proving hard to navigate in 2017. The economy is slowing, net interest margins have dropped and banking regulators are cracking down on financial malpractice. Stefania Palma assesses how the country's banks are faring in this challenging environment.
Chinese regulators have tightened their grip on the banking sector in an effort to control financial risk, the country’s ballooning shadow banking sector and excessive debt load. Which banks stand a better chance of meeting these tougher requirements? Stefania Palma reports.
China’s recently declared support for globalisation has given fresh hope to Latin America, which could benefit from its established trade links with the eastern giant in the form of greater investment in infrastructure, lower tariffs and higher value exports. Silvia Pavoni reports.
Postal Savings Bank of China has thrown its doors open to global investors with a jumbo Hong Kong IPO. While the share price has not moved much since the deal closed, the Hong Kong listing offers long-term benefits to the lender, which is eyeing potential business overseas. Stefania Palma reports.
China's fintech industry has grown at a rapid pace, in some cases leaving established tech giants of the West behind. Having cracked the domestic banking market, top Chinese fintech firms are already eyeing insurance and looking beyond the country's borders to continue their rapid ascent. Stefania Palma reports.
China’s microfinance sector is still developing but has strong potential to reduce poverty and support local SMEs. What are the challenges and opportunities for microfinance institutions in the country? The International Finance Corporation’s country manager for China, South Korea and Mongolia, Simon Andrews, explains.