Auto output, sales reach new highs

China's automobile production and sales both exceeded 34 million units last year, setting a fresh record high, industry data showed on Wednesday. Total auto output reached 34.531 million units last year, up 10.4 percent compared with the 2024 level, while sales rose 9.4 percent year-on-year to 34.4 million units, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. China's auto output and sales remained tops globally for 17 consecutive years, the association noted.

Bourses hike margin financing requirement

China's major stock exchanges on Wednesday raised the minimum margin requirement for leveraged stock purchases to 100 percent from 80 percent, as authorities moved to moderate leverage levels and ensure financial stability. This step, approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission, was announced in notices by the Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing stock exchanges, which characterized the change as "countercyclical adjustment".

Xinhua - China Daily