Factory activity in the world's second largest economy, China, shrank the most in two years in July as new orders fell more than expected. The private Caixin/Markit manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) dropped to 47.8 in July from 49.4 in the previous month.
Shares in mainland China continued their slide on Tuesday, after a historic sell-off the previous day. The Shanghai Composite fell by 4.3% to 3,567.38 points in early trade, after the index on Monday saw its biggest drop in eight years with an 8% tumble.
New Zealand dairy exporter Fonterra is cutting jobs in an effort to shore up its cash flows as a slump in global dairy demand, particularly from number one buyer China, threatens to snuff out the country’s “white gold rush.”
Growth in the world's second largest economy, China, beat expectations in the second quarter, but it was still the weakest showing since the global financial crisis. The economy grew 7% from a year ago - matching growth in the first three months of the year, which was the lowest since 2009 when it fell to 6.6%.
Exports in the world's second largest economy, China, have risen, ending three months of decline in June. Exports rose 2.1% in Yuan-denominated terms compared with a year ago, up to 1.17tn Yuan ($187bn).
China has become the largest importer of frozen Argentine beef, according to the latest data released by the Industry and Trade of Meat and Meat Produce Association (CICCRA). However these figures are far from neighboring Uruguay which in four months shipped to China almost 50.000 tons, that has become the country's leading market.
Mainland Chinese shares continued to slide on Wednesday, falling more than 8% on opening. The slump came despite more moves by China's regulators to try and stabilize the recently volatile market.
Chinese stocks plunged Tuesday after mixed fortunes Monday, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index tumbling 3.2% at opening. The Shenzhen Component Index also opened 3.4% lower and the ChiNext Index, tracking growth enterprises, opened 3.8% lower.
Mainland Chinese shares surged nearly 8% on Monday despite the rest of Asian markets trading lower on Greece's rejection of austerity demands. The Shanghai Composite was up 2.6% to 3,783.69 after the government announced measures over the weekend to stabilize the tumbling stock markets.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Friday dealt a stunning blow to President Barack Obama’s free-trade agenda. A large number of Democrats in the House defied their fellow Democratic president to defeat a critical part of a legislative package, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA), which would have provided aid to US workers who might lose their jobs if a major Asia-Pacific trade agreement is forged.