China industrial output data adds to slowdown fearsMarch 13, 2014 - 16:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - China's industrial output rose 8.6% in January and February, the National Bureau of Statistics said, according to BBC News. Retail sales - a key measure of consumer spending - also increased 11.8% from the year before, government figures show. The figures were less than analysts had been expecting, adding to fears of a slowdown. Markets in Asia fell on the news, with both Hong Kong's Hang Seng and the Shanghai composite dropping. Fixed-asset investment, a measure of government spending on infrastructure, expanded 17.9%. The reporting period includes the Chinese Lunar New Year, which fell during both months. The data comes as China's leaders wrap up their parliamentary session, known as the National People's Congress (NPC). During the session, the government unveiled plans to push ahead with a pilot program of privately-owned banks, in order to help open up the financial sector. At the start of the NPC earlier this month, China's Premier, Li Keqiang, announced that the government was expecting the economy to expand at the rate of 7.5% this year, which is the same target rate as last year. However, he added on Thursday that there was some flexibility on that target for 2014 and that the Chinese government's main concern was jobs. Nonetheless, there are worries about the pace of growth in the Chinese economy, after the country's exports dropped by 18% in February from the previous year, leading to a trade deficit of $23bn for the month. The threat of a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy led to falls in Australian stocks this week, particularly mining and resources stocks, which rely heavily on China's commodities demand. Related links: Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |