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Communist Party

Voting in Chile: the communist Jeannette Jara and the ultra-conservative José Kast are on the ballot

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor November 17, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

SANTIAGO, Chile – Chileans‌ are voting today, November 17, 2025, in a presidential runoff ‌election pitting left-wing former student leader Jeannette ⁣Jara against far-right ex-congressman José Kast. The outcome will determine the direction‌ of the South American nation after a period⁣ of significant political and social ⁢upheaval.Polls closed at 8:00 PM local time (12:00 AM UTC November 18, 2025).

This election represents a⁣ stark choice between ⁤two fundamentally different visions for Chile. Jara, representing the Frente amplio ‍coalition, campaigned on promises of ⁢expanding social programs, rewriting the constitution, and‍ addressing economic inequality. Kast, running as an ‍self-reliant, focused ⁣on⁤ law and order, restricting immigration,‌ and preserving customary values. The election follows a tumultuous period sparked by ‌widespread protests in 2019 over ⁣social and economic grievances,and the subsequent drafting of a new constitution which was ultimately rejected by voters in September ‍2023. The⁤ result will impact millions ⁣of Chileans and potentially ⁣reshape the country’s role in Latin America.

Jara and Kast emerged as the top two candidates from a crowded field in the‌ first⁣ round of voting on October 13, 2025, neither securing the required 50% plus one vote to win⁢ outright. Jara‌ received 35.47% of the vote,while Kast garnered 34.53%.The‌ close results signaled a deeply polarized electorate.

The campaign leading up to the runoff has been marked ⁣by intense debate over issues such as pension reform, healthcare access,‍ and indigenous rights.⁤ Jara has proposed a significant ⁣overhaul of the privatized pension system,while Kast advocates for strengthening private⁤ options. Both candidates have pledged to address crime, but differ on the approach, with ‍Jara emphasizing social programs and Kast⁣ advocating for tougher policing.

Official ⁢results are expected in the coming hours. The winner will serve‍ a four-year term, beginning March 11, 2026.

November 17, 2025 0 comments

Business

Can China pass on-the-ground tests to ace its economic report card in 2025’s second half?

by Priya Shah – Business Editor July 22, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

China’s Economy: Headlines vs. Reality

Workers struggle amid official growth figures

While China’s economy shows robust growth on paper, many citizens feel a stark disconnect, grappling with stagnant wages and job insecurity.

Stalled Progress for Chengdu Accountant

A 36-year-old accountant in Chengdu, identified as **Justin Li**, has not seen a pay raise in five years. His monthly salary of 7,000 yuan (US$975) remains unchanged since the pandemic began, complicating his dream of homeownership.

The uncertain job market amplifies his concerns. With my current income, I don’t dare take on a mortgage,” **Li** stated. What if I lose my job one day? The job market is weak right now – there’s too much unknown about the future. He currently rents accommodation for his family, which includes his wife, mother, and one-year-old daughter.

Growth Figures Mask Underlying Issues

Beijing recently reported a better-than-expected 5.3 percent first-half GDP growth, indicating resilience against challenges like the trade dispute with the United States. Officials are widely expected to meet the full-year growth target of around 5 percent.

However, experts caution that this positive headline data may not reflect the daily experiences of households and businesses. Professor of finance at the University of Hong Kong, **Chen Zhiwu**, commented, We need to distinguish between official economic data and how households and businesses actually feel.

“What people are feeling is a different world from the rosy data in the first half.”

—Chen Zhiwu, Chair Professor of Finance, University of Hong Kong

Concerns are rising about a potential slowdown in the latter half of the year due to flagging consumer confidence, persistent deflationary pressures, a struggling property sector, and trade uncertainties. This has led to increasing calls for more substantial government support measures.

For instance, while China’s manufacturing sector grew, its consumer spending index in May reached its lowest point since early 2023, reflecting cautious consumer sentiment. Bloomberg reported.

The disconnect highlights the complex economic landscape China faces, where headline achievements do not always translate into improved livelihoods for its citizens.

July 22, 2025 0 comments

Business

China’s Plan to Boost Service Consumption: Investment, Red Tape Cuts & Domestic Demand

by Priya Shah – Business Editor July 18, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

China is committed to streamlining regulations and enhancing foreign investment over the next five years to stimulate service consumption. This strategic pivot aims to leverage domestic demand as a stable economic growth engine amidst global trade uncertainties.

Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao highlighted a “shortage of high-quality service on the supply side” despite the faster growth of service consumption compared to goods. To address this, China plans to “reduce some restrictive measures and enrich service supply” between 2026 and 2030, wiht a particular focus on sectors like healthcare and elderly care.

These remarks coincide with China’s efforts to bolster domestic consumption,seeking to offset the complexities in its trade relations,exacerbated by trade disputes initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year.

Regarding U.S.-China economic ties, Wang stated, “China-US economic and trade relations have weathered many storms, and both sides remain significant economic and trade partners.” He emphasized that “Facts prove that ‘decoupling‘ is unfeasible.”

Wang also pointed out that in 2024, mainland China and Hong Kong together represented approximately 13.3 percent of global imports. This positions China as the world’s second-largest import market, closely trailing the United States, which holds a 13.6 percent share.

China’s economic strategy is increasingly focused on domestic consumption as a driver of growth, especially in the services sector. This shift is influenced by global trade tensions and a desire for greater economic resilience. The government’s commitment to reducing red tape and attracting foreign investment in services aims to improve the quality and availability of services, addressing a perceived supply-side gap. Key sectors like healthcare and elderly care are identified as priorities for development,reflecting demographic trends and evolving consumer needs within China. The nation’s significant role in global trade, as evidenced by its import market share, underscores its importance in the international economic landscape, even as it navigates complex bilateral relationships.

Q: What is China’s primary strategy for economic growth in the next five years?
A: China aims to boost service consumption by cutting red tape and attracting foreign investment, relying on domestic demand for growth.

Q: What is the main challenge identified in China’s service sector?
A: There is a shortage of high-quality services on the supply side, despite growing service consumption.

Q: Which sectors will China prioritize for service supply enrichment?
A: Healthcare and elderly care are specifically mentioned as priority sectors.

Q: What is China’s stance on “decoupling” with the U.S.?
A: China believes that “decoupling” is impossible and views the U.S. as an critically important economic and trade partner.

Q: How does China rank in global imports?
A: China is the world’s second-largest import market, with mainland China and Hong kong accounting for about 13.3 percent of global imports in 2024.

7 · Compliance & Disclaimers

This article provides facts on economic policy and trade. It does not constitute financial, health, or legal advice.

8 · Call-to-Action

What are your thoughts on China’s economic strategy? Share your insights in the comments below and subscribe to World Today News for more in-depth analysis.

July 18, 2025 0 comments

Business

China told its officials to tighten their belts. Did they go a notch too far?

by Priya Shah – Business Editor July 9, 2025

written by Priya Shah – Business Editor

This is the first story in a three-part series exploring the domestic economic challenges China faces as it navigates an unprecedented trade war with the United States. In this piece, we explore Beijing’s drive to rein in wasteful government spending – and its unintended consequences.

Wang, a civil servant from a small town in northeastern China, is too scared to go to restaurants these days. He even skipped his niece’s wedding due to his fear of being seen at a banquet.

An avid foodie, the 55-year-old used to dine with his friends once or twice a day – usually at purely social gatherings unrelated to his government job. But now, even casual meals out can cause serious problems.

“Nobody dares to stick their neck out nowadays,” said Wang, who declined to give his full name for privacy reasons. “So I only eat at home now.”

Wang is one of millions of Chinese state-sector workers who have been impacted by a government austerity drive that has sent shock waves across the country in recent weeks, hitting businesses hard and sparking concern in the corridors of Beijing.

The campaign started in May when the central government introduced stricter rules for civil servants and state-owned enterprise employees attending official receptions, which banned the consumption of cigarettes, liquor and “high-end dishes”.

The new guidelines were the latest in a string of measures to limit ostentatious celebrations by officials – a practice viewed as a waste of public funds and a slippery slope to corruption – that have long been a source of simmering public resentment.

July 9, 2025 0 comments

World

China to mark 80th WWII anniversary with military parade in Beijing in September

by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor June 24, 2025

written by Lucas Fernandez – World Editor

China to Stage Military Parade Amid Global Conflicts

In a show of force, China is set to hold a military parade this September, commemorating the end of World War II. This event, only the second of its kind, occurs as tensions flare worldwide, including the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.

Parade Details Emerge

The parade will unfold in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on September 3rd. This date marks a decade since the first Victory Day parade conducted by the People’s Liberation Army.

The ceremony will celebrate the 80th anniversary of China’s triumph over Japan and the global defeat of fascism, according to Hu Heping, deputy head of the Communist Party’s publicity department.

“Exact quotation with Person Name bolded.”

—Person Name, Title

The parade’s objective includes highlighting the Sino-Japanese war’s significance and China’s commitment to the post-WWII international order. In 2024, global military expenditure hit a record $2.44 trillion, illustrating the growing global focus on defense (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute).

Show of Strength

President **Xi Jinping** will deliver a speech during the ceremony. Wu Zeke, deputy head of the PLA’s Joint Staff Department’s warfare bureau, said the parade will demonstrate the military’s combat readiness, cutting-edge technologies, and strategic deterrence.

June 24, 2025 0 comments

World

Economic situation in China: China’s Politburo wants to stimulate economy

by Chief editor of world-today-news.com September 26, 2024

written by Chief editor of world-today-news.com

China’s leadership has called for further support for the struggling real estate market, sufficient tax spending and an improvement in sluggish consumption amid the tense economic situation. In addition, top Communist Party cadres stressed during a meeting chaired by President and Party leader Xi Jinping that economic targets for this year must be achieved, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported.

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The Politburo, the inner leadership circle of the Communist Party, met. The report did not give exact figures or plans for implementing the demands. But the statements are likely to be significant, as the government admitted to economic problems. The party appears to be sticking to its self-imposed economic growth target of around five percent for this year, while experts have recently seen the target increasingly under threat.

Real estate, bonds, income

Specifically, according to the report, the party wants to improve its real estate portfolio and increase investment in construction projects desired by the government. China wants to use government bonds to “better play the role of state investment”. The party’s center of power also called for consumption to be boosted and for people in the middle and lower income classes to earn more.

The economic data of the world’s second largest economy has recently given experts cause for concern. China’s central bank announced during the week that it would lower interest rates for housing loans and reduce the rate for minimum cash reserves at banks. China wants to use this to free up more funds for the financial markets. The crisis in the real estate sector is further contributing to sluggish consumption among many consumers, who tend to hold on to their money rather than spend it.

Problem of unemployment

On top of that, many people are looking for work. According to official figures, the latest unemployment rate in the 16-24 age group rose to 18.8 percent. The State Council, China’s government cabinet, called on Wednesday for more “high-quality jobs” and new positions to be created in the digital economy. Better training should also combat structural unemployment. The report did not provide any precise details.

The Politburo, the inner leadership circle of the Communist Party, met. The report did not provide any precise figures or plans for implementing the demands. But the statements are likely to be significant, as the government admitted to economic problems. The party appears to be sticking to its self-imposed economic growth target of around five percent for this year, while experts have recently seen the target increasingly under threat.

September 26, 2024 0 comments

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