China Urges Trade Stimulus; Healthcare Spending Just 5% of GDP

China Urges Trade Stimulus
China will accelerate giving export rebates and increase imports of advanced equipment and components as well as consumer goods in a move to give the faltering economy a lift, according to a meeting convened by the State Council, the nation's cabinet. Premier Wen Jiabao said earlier this week that the government would introduce a range of policies to promote trade activity in Q3 2012.

Healthcare Spending Just 5% of GDP
China welcomes private and foreign investments in its highly promising healthcare market and 20% of this market is left for non-state investors, Health Minister Chen Zhu said at the ongoing Davos Economic Forum. Currently, China invests just 5.1% of GDP in its healthcare sector, well below Brazil's 9% and India's 8.9%, said Chen, who added that there is a shortage of 12 million paramedics in the country.

China to Add 21m KW of Solar Capacity by 2015
A total of 21 million kW of solar power capacity will be installed in China between 2011 and 2015, according a five-year plan for the industry released by the National Energy Administration.

China Ratchets Up Clout in Latin America
Chinese companies are looking to increase their investments in Latin America and expand their focus beyond the mining and resource industries, the Wall Street Journal reported. Chinese investment in Latin America surged to $10.54 billion in 2010, the most recent figure available, up from $7.33 billion in 2009. That investment, combined with an increase in lending active in the region, has given China greater sway in an area long considered a bulwark of US influence.

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