China Perspectives

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Latest episode

May 2026

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About the show

China Perspectives series is a monthly discussion on the latest credit market and economic developments from China with experts from both within and outside of Fitch Ratings.

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May 19, 2026Episode 4915 min

China’s Dominance in Global Rare Earths

Sabrin Chowdhury from BMI speaks on China’s dominance in global rare earths and implications on geopolitics and prices.(00:00) - Introduction of Sabrin and her rare earths coverage (01:27) - Why China dominates global rare earths supply chain (03:31) - China’s dependence on Myanmar for heavy rare earth feedstock (05:17) - Western economies’ supply chain diversification strategies (09:00) - Potential credible alternatives to China (10:09) - Obstacles to Western countries’ diversification push (11:20) - China’s tightened grip and impact on prices (13:05) - Indicators to watch on evolving trends

March 23, 2026Episode 4824 min

China-US Strategic Competition in Latin America

This episode explores China’s economic linkages with Latin America (LatAm), with Fitch Ratings’ Todd Martinez and Janice Chong, and the implications of the resurgence of the US “Monroe Doctrine” on these economic ties and for Chinese corporates.(00:00) - Introduction (01:44) - Overview of China’s Economic Ties with LatAm (05:34) - Outlook for the LatAm-China Trade Relationship (09:05) - LatAm’s Response to Surging Chinese Imports (12:53) - Risks to Chinese Corporates from Tariffs (13:52) - Chinese FDI into LatAm (16:55) - Key FDI Sectors for Chinese Firms in LatAm (18:42) - Geopolitical Risks to Chinese Firms’ LatAm Investments (20:10) - Opportunities and Risks for LatAm from US-China Competition (23:37) - Conclusion

February 11, 2026Episode 4720 min

China 2026 Credit Outlook

A fireside chat on Fitch’s 2026 credit outlook for China’s sovereign, corporate, local government and banking sectors with Jeremy Zook, Ying Wang, Samuel Kwok and Grace Wu.(01:05) - Macro outlook (06:05) - Deteriorating China property outlook (06:58) - Neutral China LGFV outlook (09:52) - China banks’ strategy amid deteriorating outlook (11:32) - Anti-involution campaign (13:41) - Local governments’ spending (16:20) - China banks’ asset quality (18:13) - China’s sovereign rating headroom

December 18, 2025Episode 4626 min

An Update on China’s LGFV Debt Substitution Programme

Davis Sun, Senior Director at Fitch Ratings, provides a progress report on China’s debt substitution plan and its impact on local government vehicles (LGFVs) and finances, as well as an outlook for 2026 and beyond.(00:23) - Introduction (01:50) - Recent LGFV Sector Developments (05:40) - Progress of the Debt Substitution Programme (09:45) - LGFV Financial Health Amid Debt Substitution (13:17) - Fiscal Impact of Debt Substitution on Local Governments (16:00) - Lingering LGFV Debt Risks (20:34) - Local Government Infrastructure Spending (22:53) - 2026 Local Government Fiscal Outlook (25:08) - Conclusion

November 19, 2025Episode 4514 min

Price Wars in China’s Food Delivery and Instant Retail

Fitch analysts discuss intensifying competition between Meituan and Alibaba in China’s food delivery and instant retail business.(00:22) - Introduction to instant retail in China (01:19) - Competitive landscape and on-going price war (02:54) - Meituan's strategy to defend market leadership (05:18) - Alibaba's challenges and opportunities (07:02) - Meituan's rating outlook change (09:38) - Alibaba's profitability and free cash flow (11:00) - How the price war could end

September 17, 2025Episode 4425 min

China-ASEAN Trade Flows Amid Global Trade Policy Uncertainty

Chris Clague, an Associate Fellow at the IISS and an independent advisor on trade and supply chains, discusses recent trends in China-ASEAN trade and investment flows, and how they may be affected by US President Trump’s tariff policies.(00:00) - Introduction (02:04) - Overview of China/ASEAN trade and investment (06:26) - Transshipments (09:57) - Transshipment tariffs effect on China’s investment (12:54) - China+1 strategy (14:58) - Top destinations and sectors for Chinese investment (17:35) - China’s role in global supply chains (20:37) - How will ASEAN manage a surge in imports from China? (24:13) - Conclusion

July 30, 2025Episode 4317 min

Regulatory Reforms of China AMCs

Katie Chen, Senior Director at Fitch Ratings, and Franco Lam , Director, share their insights on the recent regulatory reforms in China’s AMC sector.(00:48) - Recent regulatory reform and impact (03:49) - Opportunities and challenges for AMCs (07:01) - What investors should watch out for (09:30) - Improvement in China AMCs’ capital buffer (11:32) - China AMCs’ ownership changes (13:54) - Rating actions on China AMCs

June 24, 2025Episode 4211 min

Key Credit Themes in China’s Power Generation Sector

This episode explores key changes and credit trends in China’s power sector, including renewables growth and market reforms. Insights from Penny Chen, Senior Director, Fitch Ratings, reveal what lies ahead for major power generators.(00:00) - Introduction (00:45) - Key Changes in China’s Power Sector (03:17) - Key Credit Themes for Power Generators (06:16) - Credit Outlook on China’s Power Sector (08:45) - China’s Modern Power System (11:11) - Conclusion

May 8, 2025Episode 4112 min

Managing Risks from LGFVs and Local Government Debt Outlook

Harry Hu, Senior Director at Fitch Ratings, discusses China's recent efforts to manage LGFV risks, including LGFV reclassification and debt substitution plans, along with local government debt trends.(00:00) - Introduction (01:30) - LGFV Debt Control Measures (03:07) - LGFV Reclassification (04:59) - LGFV Debt Substitution Plan (06:55) - Outlook for Special Purpose Bonds (09:34) - Local Government Interest Burdens (11:14) - Conclusion

April 3, 2025Episode 4013 min

Impact of US Tariffs on China's Commodity Sectors

Laura Zhai, Senior Director at Fitch Ratings, discusses the impact of US tariff hikes on China's commodity sectors.(00:00) - Introduction (00:41) - Impact on aluminum and copper (04:43) - Impact on steel (07:33) - Impact on chemicals (10:28) - China’s energy import cost