China has ramped up financial support to real economy, as indicated by social financing and loan data in February, according to experts.
Data released on Friday by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) show that at the end of February, the total social financing in China reached 417.29 trillion yuan (about 57.65 trillion U.S. dollars), marking an 8.2-percent increase year on year.
Experts said that the accelerated issuance of government bonds is the main driving force behind the rapid growth of social financing.
"Local governments have been gathering pace in issuing bonds. Among them, bonds which were issued under the debt-for-bond swap program stood at nearly 800 billion yuan, more than one-third of the total for the whole of last year, and more than 600 billion yuan higher than the amount issued in January this year," said Wen Bin, chief economist of China Minsheng Bank.
The rapid growth of net corporate bond financing also provides certain support to the aggregate financing to the real economy, according to relevant experts.
"Since the second half of last year, bond market interest rates have remained generally low. Companies have seized the opportunity to increase bond financing, effectively reducing overall financing costs," said Dong Ximiao, chief researcher of Merchants Union Consumer Finance.
At the end of February, according to the central bank, outstanding yuan loans amounted to 261.78 trillion yuan, up 7.3 percent year on year.
Notably, by the end of February, inclusive loans for small- and micro- businesses went up 12.4 percent to 33.43 trillion yuan, and medium-to-long-term loans for the manufacturing sector grew 10.3 percent to 14.48 trillion yuan, with both figures outpacing overall loan growth.
"Loan data in February show that loans remained at a historically high level, maintaining strong support for the real economy," said Dong.
China beefs up financial support to real economy: experts
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
