Welcome to Your Week in Asia.
China kicks off Lunar New Year festivities this week as millions travel around the country in the world’s biggest annual migration, while many regional financial markets are closed for the yearly celebration and other public holidays.
The Philippines will publish quarterly GDP growth figures and India announces its annual budget on Saturday as Myanmar marks four years of civil war.
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MONDAY
China factory activity
China’s statistics bureau releases a key factory activity gauge for January. The purchasing managers’ index showed the country’s manufacturing activity expanded for the third straight month in December, but just barely, as uncertainties loom over the domestic economy and future trade ties with the U.S. under President Donald Trump.
Markets closed: South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia
TUESDAY
Lunar New Year celebrations
China’s Lunar New Year holidays officially begin, with millions of people expected to travel either back to their hometowns or for tourism. All eyes will be on Chinese consumers’ willingness to spend amid a protracted property crisis and deflationary pressure that has sapped domestic demand.
Markets closed: South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Australia
WEDNESDAY
Markets closed: South Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam
THURSDAY
Philippines economy
The Philippines publishes annual economic growth data after a challenging year that saw the island nation grapple with a host of challenges, including natural disasters and global economic uncertainty. The country has revised its 2024 GDP growth target downward to a range of 6-6.5%, from a previously projected 7%.
Markets closed: South Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam
FRIDAY
Japan auto merger
Mitsubishi Motors is set to decide whether or not to join a planned merger of Nissan Motor, its largest shareholder, and rival Honda Motor. The smaller carmaker has said it might benefit the union by leaning on its strengths in Southeast Asia and the compact pickup truck sector.
Markets closed: China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam
SATURDAY
India budget
India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the country’s budget for the financial year beginning in April. The budget is expected to focus on boosting economic growth through increased government spending on infrastructure projects and extensive support to the agriculture sector.
Myanmar’s civil war
Saturday marks four years since a military regime in Myanmar seized power and later imprisoned many of the civilian government’s leaders, including democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. A civil war ensued and the government remains locked in a battle with rebel groups that now control large swathes of the Southeast Asian nation.
