China

China is expecting a mini-baby boom, state media said on Dec. 12, warning also of a “social time bomb” as more men are unable to find wives. China says its policies have prevented several hundred million births and boosted prosperity, but experts have warned of trouble ahead from an aging population and widening gender disparity stemming from a traditional preference for boys. In other news, China is to treble the amount of money that foreigners can invest in the mainland capital market, from the current USD 10 billion, making the long-awaited announcement on the eve of this week?s high-level economic summit between Chinese and US policymakers. (Reuters, Financial Times)