central bank digital currency and monetary policy, Top stories

Central Economic Work Conference: Expanding high-level opening to the outside world and stabilizing foreign trade and foreign investment. The Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing on December 11th and 12th. The meeting proposed to expand independent opening and unilateral opening in an orderly manner, steadily expand institutional opening, promote the free trade pilot zone to improve quality and efficiency and expand the reform mandate, and accelerate the implementation of the core policy of Hainan Free Trade Port. Actively develop service trade, green trade and digital trade. Deepen the reform of foreign investment promotion system and mechanism. We will steadily open up the service industry, expand pilot projects in the fields of telecommunications, medical care and education, and continue to build the brand of "Invest in China". Promote high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road", deepen and improve the overseas comprehensive service system. (Xinhua News Agency)European Central Bank President Lagarde: Economic growth is losing momentum.After the US initial jobless claims and PPI data were released, the decline in US Treasury bonds narrowed.

Central Economic Work Conference: Implementing the Medical and Health Foundation Project and Formulating the Policy of Promoting Birth, which was held in Beijing from December 11th to 12th. The meeting proposed to implement employment support plans for key areas, key industries, urban and rural grassroots and small and medium-sized enterprises to promote the employment of key groups. Strengthen the protection of workers' rights and interests in flexible employment and new employment forms. We will implement policies to help industries and employment, ensure that large-scale return to poverty does not occur, and ensure the basic livelihood of people in need. Promote the high-quality and balanced development of compulsory education and solidly promote the expansion of high-quality undergraduate courses. Implement the medical and health foundation project and formulate policies to promote fertility. Develop community-supported home-based care for the aged and expand inclusive care for the aged. Adhere to and develop the "Fengqiao experience" in the new era and strengthen the public security system. (Xinhua News Agency)CHRISTIAN MEUNIER was appointed as the chairman of NISSAN Americas.Central Economic Work Conference: Promoting new urbanization and overall rural revitalization, and promoting the integrated development of urban and rural areas. The Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from December 11th to 12th. The meeting pointed out that it is necessary to promote new urbanization and comprehensive rural revitalization as a whole and promote the integrated development of urban and rural areas. Strictly observe the red line of cultivated land and strictly manage the balance of cultivated land occupation and compensation. We will ensure the stable production and supply of grain and important agricultural products, and improve the comprehensive benefits and competitiveness of agriculture. Protect the enthusiasm of grain farmers and major grain producing areas, and improve the grain price formation mechanism. According to local conditions, we will promote the integrated development of developing the industry, strengthening the county and enriching the people, and do everything possible to broaden the channels for farmers to increase their income. Develop a modern metropolitan area, improve the level of modern governance of megacities, and vigorously develop the county economy. (Xinhua News Agency)

European Central Bank President Lagarde: National elections have also led to their own uncertainties.The director of the Federal Aviation Administration will step down on Trump's swearing-in day, and the director of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to step down on January 20, Trump's presidential swearing-in day. In a letter to employees issued by the FAA Information Office, Michael Whitaker announced his decision to leave. Whitaker has only been in office for more than a year. In October 2023, his nomination as director of FAA was unanimously approved by the Senate. Mark House, Assistant Director of Finance and Management of FAA, will serve as Acting Deputy Director.The European Central Bank expects inflation to cool down faster. It is reported that the European Central Bank now expects inflation to cool down slightly faster than the forecast in September. It currently predicts that the average inflation rate in 2024 and 2025 will be 2.4% and 2.1% respectively, compared with the previous forecast of 2.5% and 2.2% respectively. In the statement, the European Central Bank also said: "The anti-inflation process is on the right track."