China's economy grew at an annual pace of 6.8% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, according to official data, beating forecasts for the period. The growth figures for January to March were also above Beijing's 2018 annual growth target of around 6.5%
China's parliament has endorsed Xi Jinping for a second term and appointed Wang Qishan as his vice-president. The ballot at the National People's Congress unanimously approved Mr Xi while Mr Wang received 2,969 votes in favor and only one against. Wang Qishan was previously in charge of corruption investigations in China.
The level of risk facing China’s financial system could be higher than was seen in the United States before the global crash, according to a former Chinese finance minister. Speaking at a forum in Beijing over the weekend, Lou Jiwei, now chairman of the National Social Security Fund Council, also described the state of China’s financial sector as “messy”.
Chile’s foreign minister welcomed Chinese representatives to a meeting with Latin American and Caribbean countries and praised Beijing for rejecting protectionism as the United States backs away from global trade.
Venezuela’s foreign minister blamed the United States for his country’s spiraling debt crisis, saying Washington’s “permanent attack” had left the economy crippled. Jorge Arreaza lashed out at Donald Trump, US and European sanctions, and American interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs at the Venezuelan embassy in Beijing during a three-day official visit.
China unveiled plans to build more aircraft carriers after commissioning its first last year, as the country extends its influence amid territorial disputes with neighbours including Japan and Vietnam. China already has the world’s second-biggest military budget after the US.
Chinese capital Beijing reported on Saturday its first case of a new strain of bird flu, state news agency Xinhua said, the first time it has been found in a human outside of eastern China.
China's new President Xi Jinping will fight for a great renaissance of the Chinese nation, he said Sunday as the world's most populous country completed its once-in-a-decade power transition.
China's leaders have named Li Keqiang as premier, placing him at the helm of the world's second-largest economy. Mr Li, who already holds the number two spot in the Communist Party, takes over from Wen Jiabao.
China's policymakers have been given more room to boost stimulus measures after the country's inflation rate dipped in September. Consumer prices rose 1.9% from a year earlier which is down from a rate of 2% in August.