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China’s M&A Market Rebounds Amid Stimulus Measures and Trump Tariff Pressure

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China’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market is witnessing a resurgence after years of decline, driven by government stimulus measures and mounting pressure from U.S. tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump. After five consecutive years of declining deal volume, China’s M&A activity surged in the final quarter of 2024, with deal value rising by 78.5% to $129 billion from the previous quarter’s $72 billion, according to Dealogic. Industry experts attribute this uptick to stimulus policies introduced in September 2024, aimed at consolidating domestic industries and strengthening China’s economic competitiveness. Despite this positive momentum, China’s total M&A deal value in 2024 remained nearly 45% lower than in 2020, when it reached $553 billion. Economic slowdown and cautious corporate strategies have contributed to a conservative investment approach in recent years, said Theodore Shou, chief investment officer at Skybound Capital. However, experts predict 2025 will bring a major shift, with increased M&A activity as Chinese firms adapt to fresh tariff challenges. Trump’s new 10% tariffs on Chinese goods, effective from February 4, have compounded existing levies of up to 25%. This has intensified the need for companies to diversify supply chains and seek strategic mergers to maintain global market relevance. Deloitte’s APAC M&A Services Leader, Stanley Lah, noted that consolidation is the fastest way for businesses to restructure amid trade pressures. Smaller enterprises, in particular, are feeling the strain, as indicated by a 4.8% drop in their revenue in Q3 2024, per Peking University’s Centre for Enterprise Research. With increasing deal activity and evolving trade dynamics, 2025 is poised to be a crucial year for China’s corporate landscape. Source: CNBC

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Tibetan Leadership Initiates Back-Channel Talks with China Amidst Military Standoff

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News on Government

The Tibetan government-in-exile has initiated back-channel communications with China, marking the first contact between the two sides in over a decade. Penpa Tsering, the head of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), revealed that informal discussions have been ongoing for more than a year, facilitated by an interlocutor dealing with individuals in Beijing. While these communications represent a significant development, Tsering emphasized that no immediate breakthroughs are expected. The dialogue is viewed as a long-term endeavor, with uncertain prospects for concrete outcomes. The Tibetan side has been cautious, acknowledging that the Chinese authorities initiated contact, not vice versa. Norzin Dolma, the Tibetan minister for information and international relations, echoed Tsering’s sentiments, highlighting the lack of certainty regarding substantive outcomes from these discussions. Previous formal talks between 2002 and 2010 ended without resolution, amidst differences over Tibetan autonomy. The resumption of dialogue coincides with heightened tensions between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. China’s military buildup in Tibet has drawn increased scrutiny, amplifying the relevance of the Tibetan issue in India. Tsering emphasized the close coordination between the CTA, India’s external affairs ministry, and security agencies, advocating for India to take a more assertive stance on Tibet at international forums like the UN. While endorsing India’s stance on the LAC disengagement as a prerequisite for normalized relations with China, Tsering underscored China’s strategic shift towards the Global South to counter India’s growing influence. He urged India to leverage its historical ties with Tibet to amplify its voice on the international stage.  

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Zell Education Launches Global Career Championship, Offering Financial Education Scholarships

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Zell Education has unveiled the Global Career Championship, a scholarship program designed to empower students and professionals seeking to enhance their skills in finance and accounts. The initiative aims to provide a platform for individuals globally to upskill, fostering career growth in the competitive field of financial education. In a recent press release, Zell Education highlighted the program’s focus on offering opportunities for students and working professionals worldwide. The Global Career Championship invites participants to showcase their expertise and passion for finance, with the winner earning exclusive access to Zell Education’s advanced courses. The scholarship covers a spectrum of finance-related subjects, including ACCA, FRM, CFA, CMA, IFRS, and other finance and accounts courses. Notably, the winner will enjoy complimentary enrollment in these courses, with all associated global body fees and coaching fees fully covered. Pratham Barot, CEO and Co-Founder of Zell Education, expressed enthusiasm about the Global Career Championship, emphasizing its role in helping individuals acquire the necessary expertise to excel in their careers. Barot stated, “The Global Career Championship is our way of helping ambitious learners with the knowledge and resources they require to succeed.” This initiative underscores Zell Education’s commitment to fostering learning and development in the field of finance, providing a unique opportunity for individuals globally to advance their careers through top-notch educational offerings. Aspiring candidates eager to excel in finance and accounts are encouraged to participate in the Global Career Championship and leverage this scholarship program for professional growth.

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Chinese Health Authorities Warn of Potential COVID-19 Rebound in January

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Chinese health authorities have issued a warning of a possible rebound in COVID-19 infections in January, despite a recent decline in patients at fever clinics since New Year’s Day. The National Health Commission spokesperson, Mi Feng, stated at a press briefing that while respiratory diseases, mainly influenza, are still prevalent, the COVID-19 infection rate remains relatively low. Recent data from the multi-channel monitoring system revealed a positive rate of COVID-19 testing below one percent in sentinel hospitals after the New Year’s Day holiday. Wang Dayan, director of the China National Influenza Center, expressed concern about the upward trend in the proportion of the JN.1 variant strain, indicating a potential resurgence. Experts anticipate a co-circulation of respiratory pathogens during the winter and spring, with influenza viruses dominating in the short term. Wang Dayan highlighted the potential for a COVID-19 rebound in January due to the continuous importation of the JN.1 variant, declining influenza, and a decrease in population immunity. The JN.1 variant is likely to become the dominant strain in China. Influenza B virus proportions have risen significantly in both southern and northern provinces, surpassing influenza A in some regions. Wang emphasized the need for early influenza vaccination, as the immune response from contracting influenza A does not protect against influenza B. Wang Guiqiang, director of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Peking University First Hospital, emphasized the peak season for respiratory infectious diseases in winter and the potential for repeated infections. He urged increased attention to early intervention and diagnosis, particularly for the elderly and those with underlying diseases, as COVID-19 or influenza infections could worsen underlying conditions.

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Taiwan Pursues Employment Agreement with India Amidst Controversy

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Taiwan’s efforts to establish an employment mobility agreement with India have sparked debate and increased regional geopolitical tensions. The draft memorandum of understanding, which was initiated in September, aims to facilitate the employment of thousands of Indian workers in Taiwan’s various sectors. Although Taiwanese authorities have deemed the official figure of 100,000 workers to be inaccurate, the deal is nearing completion. This agreement is significant not only for economic cooperation, but also for its potential to improve bilateral relations between Taiwan and India. Although the two countries do not have formal diplomatic relations, they have established representative offices in each other’s capitals since 1995. The volume of trade between them has increased significantly, reaching USD 8.9 billion in 2021 from USD 2 billion in 2006 However, the impending agreement has sparked a backlash on multiple fronts. China, which fiercely opposes Taiwan’s sovereignty, sees India’s growing ties with the island nation as a threat. Concerns in Taiwan about potential job losses for Indian workers have added fuel to the fire, despite hopes for improved bilateral relations. The aging population and the need for diverse labor in sectors such as agriculture and industry are driving Taiwan’s pursuit of foreign workers, including those from India. The drop in the local labor force caused by the pandemic has exacerbated this need. For India, the agreement provides an opportunity to provide lucrative employment opportunities abroad to its sizable workforce. The announcement of the pact, however, has sparked online racist campaigns against Indians, which the Taiwanese government attributes to China’s concerted efforts to tarnish Taiwan’s image and strain relations with India. The geopolitical implications of the agreement are significant, particularly in light of China’s claims over Taiwan. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes any diplomatic moves that would strengthen Taiwan’s sovereignty. India’s participation in a significant economic agreement with Taiwan is likely to aggravate China’s discontent in the region.

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Record 35% Surge in Indian Students Boosts US International Enrollment to 40-Year High

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The number of Indian students attending US colleges has seen a significant 35% increase, contributing to the highest single-year growth in international student enrollment in over 40 years. A joint study by the State Department and the Institute of International Education revealed that the overall international student population in the US surged by 12% during the 2022-23 academic year, with more than 1 million students from abroad – the highest since 2019-20. CEO of the Institute of International Education, Allan E Goodman, emphasized that the US remains the preferred destination for international students worldwide. The report indicates a robust educational relationship between the US and India, with nearly 269,000 Indian students enrolled, surpassing previous records and ranking second only to China. Most of these students pursued graduate programs, particularly in science, technology, and business fields. While China still tops the list with 290,000 students, its numbers have decreased for the third consecutive year, reflecting a shift in demand. The study attributes this decline to strained international relations, competition from UK and Canadian universities, and extended travel restrictions in Asia during the pandemic. US universities have strategically focused on recruiting in India, given the predicted population growth, with students from India now outnumbering those from China in 24 states. Graduate programs in the US remained the primary attraction for international students for the second consecutive year, experiencing a 21% growth, while undergraduate numbers saw a modest 1% increase. The reversal of the previous decade’s trend, where undergraduate enrollments dominated, is credited to the popularity of math and computer science programs, witnessing a 20% surge. Engineering and business programs followed suit, collectively constituting over half of all international students in the US. This surge nearly restores international student numbers to pre-pandemic levels, reaching close to the 2018 peak of 1.1 million students. Despite comprising only 5.6% of all college students, international students play a significant role in US higher education, contributing to global exchange and providing substantial revenue through higher tuition rates. Following China and India, other nations sending the most students to the US include South Korea, Canada, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Nigeria. The study also highlights a record number of students from countries like Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain in the previous school year. While international student numbers are on the rise, many US colleges continue to grapple with declining domestic enrollment. Overall college enrollment remains sluggish, and a separate study by the National Student Clearinghouse indicates a 3.6% decrease in freshman enrollment for fall 2023.

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