ASIA MARKETS

The strong performance of global equity markets, including the MSCI World, Japanese Nikkei 225, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 indexes, which all closed at record highs last week, provide favourable trade winds for Asian markets as the new week begins on Monday.

The positive sentiment is driven by several factors, including the hope for US interest rate cuts, signs of cooling inflation, and a surge in interest surrounding artificial intelligence within the big tech sector. These factors collectively contribute to the positive tone in global markets, which is expected to bolster Asian markets and inspire confidence among investors as they commence trading for the week.

China's annual "rubber stamp" parliamentary gathering in Beijing commences on Tuesday and holds significant implications for the trajectory of assets in China for 2024 and beyond.

During the gathering, Premier Li Qiang will present Beijing's annual growth targets and outline the strategies to achieve them. This includes setting a growth target of approximately 5% for 2024, consistent with the previous year's target. The aim is to bolster sentiment and convince locals that the economy remains on course to meet President Xi Jinping's objective of nearly doubling the economy by 2035.

The announcements and policies unveiled during the parliamentary session will provide crucial insights into China's economic priorities, strategies, and potential market developments, shaping investor sentiment and asset allocation decisions domestically and globally.

The Chinese leadership faces mounting pressure to implement more aggressive measures to stabilize the property sector, mitigate deflationary risks, and reignite economic growth. However, the difficulty lies in balancing these objectives without exacerbating capital outflows, which have already contributed to a weakening exchange rate. Further interest rate cuts could worsen capital flight, trapping the Yuan within a currency depreciation "doom loop" cycle.

Despite these challenges, market observers will closely monitor any adjustments to the longstanding "proactive fiscal policy" and "prudent monetary policy" that have been in place for the past few years. Any modifications to these policies could signal shifts in China's economic strategy and have significant implications for domestic and international investors.

While there is a pressing need for a substantial stimulus to reinvigorate China's economic growth, the likelihood of a "Big bang" stimulus package seems low, primarily due to the government's emphasis on pursuing high-quality development. Instead of opting for large-scale fiscal measures that could lead to short-term gains but long-term imbalances, Chinese policymakers prioritize sustainable and balanced growth.

Focusing on high-quality development implies a more targeted approach to economic stimulus, emphasizing structural reforms, innovation, and efficiency improvements rather than a broad-based injection of funds. This approach addresses underlying economic challenges, such as over-reliance on debt-fueled investment and inefficient resource allocation.

While a "Big-bang" stimulus may offer immediate relief, it could also exacerbate existing imbalances and pose risks to long-term financial stability. Therefore, Chinese leaders will likely pursue more measured and strategic interventions to support growth while maintaining their commitment to quality-driven development.

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