Media Mentions

“China can’t pivot to domestic demand fast enough to offset collapsing export margins and absorb an oil price shock simultaneously,” said Han Lin, the China country director for the Asia Group, a consulting firm. “The U.S. trade war compresses the very profits Chinese industry needs to fund the green-energy transition that would reduce Middle East […]

“President Xi Jinping won’t feel easy about the death of the top leader of Iran,” said George Chen, partner at The Asia Group, noting Beijing’s relatively good relations with Tehran and Caracas. “How can Xi feel everything is normal and alright and be prepared to welcome Trump to visit in [a] happy mood?” he said. Chen added

Instability in Iran will likely further entrench China’s relations with Russia, as Xi seeks to lock down oil supplies, Chen added. Both countries over the weekend called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council — of which they are permanent members alongside the US, UK and France — citing what Moscow branded an “unprovoked

“With the critical Two Sessions next week, the Iran crisis is about the last thing China needs as it gets its house in order,” said Mr. Han Lin, the China managing director for The Asia Group, referring to annual meetings of China’s top advisory and legislative bodies that kick off on March 4 and 5

George Chen is partner and co-chair of digital practice at The Asia Group (TAG), a business and policy consulting firm, and former regional policy director for Meta/Facebook in Asia. Marshall Li is an associate at TAG’s Hong Kong office and a 2025 Schwarzman Scholar. Just one year after China’s homegrown AI model DeepSeek stunned global

Han Shen Lin, China Country director for business consultancy The Asia Group. stated “Mainland China IPO approvals have been episodic and policy-sensitive. While Hong Kong listings of Chinese firms continue to require clearance from the mainland securities regulator, the process is generally more streamlined, Lin said. For China, having a behemoth list offshore provides a

Han Lin, China Country Director stated that “Beijing will push for tariff relief and signal flexibility on purchase commitments. Washington will use 301 investigations as bargaining chips. The real question isn’t what gets announced, it is which investigations get quietly shelved, and what China gives in return.”

In order to maintain that relationship, Trump plans to visit Beijing from March 31 to April 2, the first trip by a U.S. president since 2017. But China’s foreign ministry has yet to confirm exact dates for the visit, pointed out George Chen, partner at The Asia Group. “That makes Trump look more desperate to

The International Monetary Fund urged Japan to keep the consumption tax cut targeted and temporary, warning on Wednesday that high and persistent debt levels leave its economy “exposed to a range of shocks.” “‘Responsible, proactive fiscal policy’ was a winning campaign slogan. But turning it into policy will be harder. The idea contains built‑in contradictions. And boosting

“The mood isn’t gloomy but it’s modest. People are spending on moments, not making life-changing purchases,” says Han Lin, China Country Director, The Asia Group. Interview Observations:   1) Is Lunar New Year spending showing that China’s consumer is back? In Shanghai, I see crowds at train stations, packed restaurants and sold-out cinemas. People are