U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Indonesia Stocks Face Fragile Sentiment After MSCI Warning and Market Rout 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Oil Prices Surge Toward Biggest Monthly Gains in Years Amid Middle East Tensions 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
China’s Economic Stimulus: $1.4 Trillion Debt Relief Amid Slowing Inflation
In October, China’s consumer prices grew at a slower pace, while deflation deepened in its manufacturing sector. This economic slowdown has led Beijing to intensify stimulus measures, aiming to stabilize its economy.
Slowing Inflation and Rising Deflation
According to China’s National Bureau of Statistics, the consumer price index (CPI) in October rose just 0.3% year-over-year, down from September’s 0.4% increase and the lowest growth rate since June. This fell short of the 0.4% forecast by economists in a Reuters poll, while on a month-to-month basis, CPI dropped by 0.3% after remaining flat in September, below the projected 0.1% decline.
The producer price index (PPI), which tracks factory-level inflation, decreased by 2.9% year-over-year, marking a deeper drop than the 2.8% decline in September. This figure also fell short of the expected 2.5% decline, signaling increasing deflationary pressure on Chinese manufacturers.
Government’s $1.4 Trillion Debt Relief Package
China has announced a 10 trillion yuan ($1.4 trillion) package focused on reducing "hidden debt" among local governments to combat these economic challenges. Rather than injecting liquidity directly into the economy, this package seeks to provide structural debt relief, allowing local governments more financial flexibility to support economic activity without adding further inflationary pressure.
Conclusion
With consumer prices slowing and producer deflation deepening, China's economic outlook remains uncertain. However, this significant debt relief measure reflects Beijing’s commitment to tackling underlying fiscal pressures to stabilize growth.
