Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 25 (NNN-BERNAMA) – The Malaysian economy is expected to experience a better growth in Feb to Apr, 2020.

The Malaysian Statistics Department, said that, the leading index, which predicts the economic direction, showed a better performance in Oct, expanded 1.4 percent from Sept.

The main contributors to the increase were real imports of other basic precious and other non-ferrous metal, real imports of semi-conductors.

HONG KONG (AP) — Clashes resumed in Hong Kong on Tuesday between police and anti-government protesters, some of them donned in Santa Claus hats, as the more than 6-month-long demonstrations look set to move into the new year.

Black-clad protesters smashed shop windows, while police responded with tear gas and the arrest of a number of demonstrators.

The protests demanding greater democratic rights show no sign of ending despite the overwhelming victory by anti-establishment candidates in elections for district representatives earlier this month.

BEIJING, Dec 24 (APP): China Tuesday said it will continue to enhance cooperation with Nepal including law enforcement to jointly fight cross border crimes.

“China will continue to enhance cooperation with Nepal including law enforcement to fight cross border crimes together and to promote friendly exchanges between our two peoples,” Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Geng Shuang said during his regular briefing while responding to a question regarding the arrest of 122 Chinese nationals by Nepal Police.

BEIJING, Dec 24 (APP): The Chinese markets are open to Pakistan’s agricultural products, especially good quality fruits, as China had either suspended or reduced agricultural products from some countries.

In the past, China imported a large number of fruits from India and Australia. Due to the recent outbreak of a virus in India, China had suspended the import of fruits from India for the time being, Cheng Xizhong, special commentator of China Economic Net said on Tuesday.

24 December 2019; AFP: China hosted the leaders of squabbling neighbours South Korea and Japan for their first official meeting in over a year on Tuesday, flexing its diplomatic muscle with America's two key Asian allies and seeking unity on how to deal with a belligerent North Korea.

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand’s new inflation target range of 1%-3% for next year, narrowed from this year’s 1%-4%, does not signal a change in monetary policy implementation, a deputy central bank governor said on Tuesday.

Monetary policy will still be data-dependent and will likely remain accommodative to support economic growth and help inflation return to target, Mathee Supapongse told reporters.

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong riot police fired tear gas at thousands of protesters, many wearing masks and reindeer horns, after scuffles in shopping malls and in a prime tourist district as anti-government rallies escalated into chaos on Christmas Eve.

Protesters inside the malls had thrown umbrellas and other objects at police who responded by beating some demonstrators with batons, with one pointing his gun at the crowd, but not firing.

Beijing, Dec 23 (AP) Rising space power China on Monday attacked the newly created US Space Force as a "direct threat to outer space peace and security".

Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that China is "deeply concerned about it and resolutely opposed to it".

"The relevant US actions are a serious violation of the international consensus on the peaceful use of outer space, undermine global strategic balance and stability, and pose a direct threat to outer space peace and security," Geng said at a regular briefing.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China will lower tariffs on products ranging from frozen pork and avocado to some types of semiconductors next year as Beijing looks to boost imports amid a slowing economy and a trade war with the United States.

Next year, China will implement temporary import tariffs, which are lower than the most-favoured-nation tariffs, on more than 850 products, the finance ministry said on Monday. By comparison, 706 products were taxed at temporary rates in 2019.

MANILA, Dec 24 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thousands of people in typhoon-prone central Philippines have had their Christmas plans ruined after they were told to leave their homes as a severe tropical storm approaches.

Officials on Christmas Eve said residents should evacuate coastal areas, and thousands more were stranded at ports with ferry services shut down as the nation hunkered down for rain and strong winds.