MNI China Press Digest, Sept 12: Autos, Trade Spat, Property

     BEIJING (MNI) - The following lists highlights from Chinese press reports

on Thursday:

     Vehicle sales in China fell 6.9% y/y in August while production fell 0.5%

y/y, according to data from the China Association of Automobiles Manufactures

(CAAM) released on Thursday. The industry sold 1.96 million units in August and

produced 1.99 million units. The auto sector is still weak due to an uncertain

external environment, CAAM said.

     China has released two lists of U.S.-exported products exempted from

punitive tariffs imposed on Wednesday with the stated aim of reducing the impact

of the trade dispute. Chinese media reports the Government is strongly opposed

to escalating the trade spat, and is committed to further tax and tariff cuts to

help exporters. China would, however, soon announce countermeasures to defend

its sovereignty, according to comments on CCTV on Wednesday. China and the U.S.

will hold the 13th round of trade talks in Washington in early October,

according to media reports.

     The property market in China will remain stable and there would be a

"golden" period for sales in September and October, Economic Times reported on

Thursday. Citing industry insiders, the Times' report said that Government

policy on the property market was becoming more strict with a view that

"properties are used for living rather than speculating".

--MNI Beijing Bureau; tel: +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: flora.guo@marketnews.com

--MNI Sydney Bureau; +61 405322399; email: lachlan.colquhoun.ext@marketnews.com

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