Category: Flash News

On January 20th, as we enter mid to late January, several provinces across the country are intensively entering the “local two sessions” period. As of January 19th, 20 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government) including Shanghai, Beijing, and Jiangsu have held local two sessions and announced their expected economic growth targets for 2025. Through sorting, it is found that the expected targets in most places are around 5% or 5.5%, while Hainan, Inner Mongolia, Hubei, and Chongqing have set their expected targets at 6% or above or around 6% respectively, indicating confidence in future economic development.

On January 20th, a research report by CITIC Securities stated that according to Baichuan Yingfu, on the supply side, the domestic production of antimony concentrate/antimony ingots/antimony oxide from January to November 2024 was 50400 tons/65600 tons/96700 tons respectively, a cumulative year-on-year decrease of 9%/11%/7%; On the demand side, the domestic photovoltaic glass production will reach 27.336 million tons in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 31%; The apparent demand for bromine is 125000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 5%; Antimony ore is scarce, and the decline in ore grade will lead to a systematic downward shift in the production center. Coupled with the increase in antimony consumption driven by industries such as photovoltaics and flame retardants, antimony will enter a pattern of supply shortage. In the medium to long term, it is expected that the antimony price center will definitely rise.

On January 20th, central enterprise venture capital funds were established like mushrooms after rain. On January 18th, China News Corporation, together with some central enterprises and local state-owned assets, held a signing ceremony for the cooperation of the China News Venture Capital Fund in Beijing. The initial scale of the fund is 10 billion yuan, and a number of sub funds such as Hangzhou, Hunan, and Xi’an will be launched. Recently, science and technology innovation funds such as Guobing Xiangxin Development Fund and Chengtong Science and Technology Innovation Investment Fund have also been established. Industry insiders believe that leveraging the role of central enterprise venture capital funds, acting as long-term and patient capital, is conducive to promoting the concentration of incremental funds towards strategic emerging industries and providing a “source of vitality” for cultivating strategic emerging industries.

On January 20th, the panoramic view of private equity performance in 2024 was recently released. According to the latest statistics from Private Equity Ranking Network, the average return of private equity securities investment funds will exceed 11% in 2024, with nearly 80% of products achieving positive returns. Among them, CTA (Futures and Derivatives) strategy private equity funds have an average return of over 12%, ranking first among the five major strategies. The stock strategy achieved a comeback in the second half of last year, closely following with an average return of 11.3%. In the eyes of industry insiders, the trend market of some asset varieties last year made the performance of related strategies impressive. Looking ahead to 2025, as positive policy signals continue to be released and their effects gradually become apparent, the cost-effectiveness of equity assets will significantly improve. According to interviews with reporters, most top private equity firms currently hold medium to high levels of positions, and multiple bond strategy private equity firms have also increased their allocation of equity assets such as convertible bonds and REITs. (Shanghai Securities News)

On January 20th, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister W ł adys ł aw Kosiniak Kamesz announced that the first batch of 28 Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 tanks have arrived in Poland and will be put into service with the army after undergoing a thorough inspection.

On January 20th, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced that its trucks carrying aid supplies have begun to enter the Gaza Strip from the West Erez and Kerem Shalom ports, with the first batch of trucks carrying “life-saving” flour, food packages, and other supplies. The World Food Programme plans to transport food into Gaza daily through humanitarian corridors, involving multiple ports such as Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. The World Food Programme stated that this ceasefire is crucial for humanitarian aid response. All parties need to ensure the safe and smooth flow of aid materials.

On January 20th, the Ministry of Commerce and other departments recently released two documents to implement subsidies for the purchase of new mobile phones, tablets, and smart watches (bracelets), as well as to arrange for the 2025 home appliance trade in program, clarifying specific subsidy categories and standards. According to the subsidy plan, the subsidy standard for individual consumers to purchase three types of digital products, including mobile phones, tablets, and smart watches (bracelets), is as follows: for products with a single selling price not exceeding 6000 yuan, a subsidy of 15% of the product selling price will be given. Each consumer can receive one subsidy for each type of product, with a maximum subsidy of 500 yuan per product. It is reported that subsidies for purchasing new digital products such as mobile phones will be gradually implemented nationwide starting from January 20th. Some netizens have found that in order to meet the national subsidy standards, multiple mobile phones have been collectively reduced to within 6000 yuan.

On January 20th, it was reported that as of now, 330 trucks carrying humanitarian aid have entered the Gaza Strip through the LAFA port, including 30 vehicles carrying fuel (natural gas and diesel). (CCTV News)

On January 20th, in recent years, China’s financial market has opened up in both directions, attracting numerous foreign institutions to compete for layout in the Chinese market. On January 17th, the application materials for the establishment of Castle Securities (China) Co., Ltd. were accepted by the China Securities Regulatory Commission. On the same day, the first branch of Standard Chartered Securities (China) Co., Ltd. was also allowed to expand its business and further expand its presence in China. In fact, since 2024, the process of foreign institutions’ layout in the Chinese market has continued to accelerate. Several foreign institutions have been approved to establish securities companies in China and have successively obtained multiple business qualifications. Meanwhile, several foreign securities firms such as Mizuho Securities (China) Co., Ltd. and Citigroup Securities (China) Co., Ltd. are currently applying for establishment. (Securities Daily)

On January 20, Mohammed, the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar, had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Brinken, focusing on the implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza Strip and the agreement on the exchange of detained persons. Mohammed emphasized that Qatar hopes to continue cooperating with the United States to ensure the full implementation of the agreement, achieve a lasting ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and facilitate the smooth exchange of detainees. Antony Blinken expressed appreciation for Qatar’s efforts to promote the agreement. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed announced on the evening of the 15th in Doha that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of detainees. The first phase of the agreement will come into effect on the 19th. (CCTV News)