chinese authorities pledge to stabilise stocks, as the latest government support measures fail to prop up investor confidence. plus — a game changer for small businesses. how artificial intelligence helps them save time and money. hello and welcome to asia business report. i'm steve lai. we begin in china where over the weekend authorities have vowed to stabilise markets. the weekend authorities have it comes after another volatile session on friday that saw shares dropping to their lowest level in five years. a series of government support measures have will failed to prop up stocks. china's bluechip csi—300 index tumbled 6.3% last month as authorities struggled to boost investor confidence, which has been hit by an economic slowdown and a deepening crisis in

the country's property sector. earlier i spoke to charu chanana from investment bank saxo and she told me investors want to see beijing impletment long—term structural reforms. it's not something that can offer that long term comfort to chinese investors, or those who are actually looking for the stocks to get dirt cheap and you know make an entry into that market.— you know make an entry into that market. , . ., , , that market. these are masters that market. these are masters that we have — that market. these are masters that we have obviously - that market. these are masters that we have obviously seen - that market. these are masters that we have obviously seen in l that we have obviously seen in the past as well, in the past few weeks, and all they really do is to try and put a float but this is not something that can do to get investors excited about the chinese market, i think investors are really waiting for some kind of a structural reform there, and just the whole message that has been coming out of the bureau meeting and the lack of details on when we are really going to see that third plan a meeting

which actually focuses on the structural side of the economy. i mean, those are really factors that failed her to really build up the confidence in a more sustainable way at this point. in a more sustainable way at this point-— this point. and given the economic— this point. and given the economic headwinds - this point. and given the economic headwinds and this point. and given the - economic headwinds and the structural issues you're talking about, more market support measures are not going to push or move the needle when it comes to investors do you think? i it comes to investors do you think? ~' it comes to investors do you think? ~ ., it comes to investors do you think? ~ . ., , , think? i think he are measures we've seen _ think? i think he are measures we've seen come _ think? i think he are measures we've seen come and - think? i think he are measures we've seen come and go - think? i think he are measures we've seen come and go all. think? i think he are measures i we've seen come and go all over 2023, they've ramped up a little bit in the first few weeks of 2024, but obviously what worries investors is that how can these measures really restore the confidence in the economy where you have such a deepening properties sector crisis, and now even from a global stage and all the fragmentation, the game is being played out so broadly, the us election risk is really huge for china as well, any think that's going to play on the minds of investors who really want to make a comeback into the chinese markets. they're probably going to be pushed back a little bit more

as these headwinds continue to play out, so the short term measures i think, like i said, they can probably help some short—term traders, you could see a floor, but it's not something that could really clear the bull market in china economy right now. the earnings season is still in full swing, later today, mcdonald's gears up for its fourth quarter earnings report. caterpillar, the world's largest construction equipment maker, will announce its annual results. in the past, it warned of slowing earnings in china as the world's second—largest economy loses its post—pandemic momentum. on wednesday, china tech giant alibaba will announce its results that ended in december. we'll also hearfrom disney on how it performed in the first quarter. now, we all know donald trump is vying for a second term in office, but has his tough stance on china changed? speaking to fox news, the republican presidential nominee said he would reimpose tariffs on china that could exceed 60%, if he was reelected to the white house. when asked if he would start another trade war with beijing, trump shrugged it off, saying president xi was a good friend of his, and that he wanted

to see china do great. policymakers are well—placed to just give him time and make sure the data shows inflation is moving down to 2% in a sustainable way. those comments were made during the 60 minutes show on us broadcaster cbs news. we've been hearing a lot about big tech firms and the investment that's being directed towards artificial intelligence. today we are going to focus on how ai can help small businesses. according to a recent survey, the technology from al can help small enterprises save time and money. and as inflation is still very much in the picture, this could be a game changer. earlier i spoke to venture capitalist and founder partner of oxford capital, david mott, and he told me about profound changes happing in the start—up scene right now.

what we are seeing today is a paradigm shift in the way startups are using their capital to become more productive, more efficient. and make every dollar go further. so for example, we are seeing companies able to generate some really significant productivity savings through, for example, hiring fewer engineers, but giving each of their engineers working much more efficiently. we are seeing cheap technology officers reporting productivity gains of 20—500% in incurred, which is a significant activity for startu ps. which is a significant activity for startups. we arejust for startups. we are just seeing activities such as people using ai seeing activities such as people using al to deliver very personalised customer experiences, imagine if you could use an ai tool to try and look at all of your customer

experiences, all the dates and interactions you've had in the past and deliver very very personalised experiences for those customers to give them exactly what they want and when they want it. exactly what they want and when they want it-_ they want it. now this can mean 'ob cuts, they want it. now this can mean job cuts. but _ they want it. now this can mean job cuts, but you're _ they want it. now this can mean job cuts, but you're sort - they want it. now this can mean job cuts, but you're sort of - job cuts, but you're sort of advocating for the benefits a company can get from this. there any downside of ai from the respondents that were addressed?— addressed? i've been an investor _ addressed? i've been an investor for _ addressed? i've been an investor for a _ addressed? i've been an investor for a long - addressed? i've been an investor for a long time, addressed? i've been an - investor for a long time, we've investorfor a long time, we've seen many waves of technology come and go over time. i think we are, i'm a natural optimist and with al, we are seeing a new wave of opportunities. while there are some threats and challenges around regulation and threats around the environmental cost of all the environmental cost of all the servers running ar models, as humans, we will be resilient and we will adapt and prepare ourselves for this new world. and while there might be some job cuts, the margins that have been with other fast

technologies overall, there will be new opportunities and challenges for workers around the world and ultimately for founders, i'm excited about seeing a new wave of founders start new businesses and create the next generation of tech startups. iiii the next generation of tech startu s. . ., the next generation of tech stamps-— startups. ifi could be the pessimist _ startups. ifi could be the pessimist in _ startups. ifi could be the pessimist in this - startups. if i could be the - pessimist in this conversation, so many small businesses use cheap and free software that comes with risks though, doesn't it, when it comes to cyber security?— doesn't it, when it comes to cyber security? possibly, but if ou cyber security? possibly, but if you look— cyber security? possibly, but if you look at _ cyber security? possibly, but if you look at how _ cyber security? possibly, but if you look at how ai - cyber security? possibly, but if you look at how ai has - cyber security? possibly, but| if you look at how ai has been used by most software startups, you can sign up forjap gpt the premium versionjust $20 you can sign up forjap gpt the premium version just $20 a month, it's not terribly expensive. if you look at some of the other software packages from google or microsoft that start off�*s use, ai is being embedded into them, so responsibilities for managing data and making sure these ai models are functioning in the right way and making the regulations being introduced, are down to those big tech

companies. you may have heard about rohan bopanna, who at the age of 43, has reached a milestone, becoming the doubles number one tennis player in the world. well, my colleague nikhil inamdar has been speaking to him about the perseverance that has led him to success on the tennis courts. for leaders in business, whether you're an entrepreneur or corporate leader, he had this advice. i would say to really focus on short—term goals, even though you have a long—term goal, break it into short—term goals. and that's when you start not losing focus. you want maybe tomorrow on your own company, but to get to that there are small steps, smalljourneys. the biggest thing when you have a short—term goal it should be a short—term goal it should be a personal goal. it shouldn't be someone else's goal that you are trying to fulfil, that is a key factor there. my first and foremost goal was to pass the third round, i had never ever pass to the third round. never in the so many years i'd played. so that is my first

goal. of course i would love to win it, but the first focus was you know, to do that. you're somebody who is exclusively played doubles and so you have a unique understanding of what makes partnerships successful. what is it that makes partnerships successful? very simple, communication makes a great partnership, there is no question of it. no matter how difficult a situation is, just ijy difficult a situation is, just by assuming what the other person is thinking, it does not work. however difficult the communication could be, when that communication happens, they built a real strength in that communication and then no matter what hurdle comes your way you can channelize it. and before we go here's a look ahead this week, we'll be keeping a close eye on australia's central bank when the rba announces its first policy decision of the year on tuesday. it's inflation rate is showing signs of cooling, which has fuelled debates that its rate hikes may be over. on thursday, china will release its latest inflation numbers and producer price index ahead of the lunar new year. inflation is expected to

decrease by 0.5% year—on—year, causing growing concerns about deflationary pressures in the world's second largest economy. also on thursday, the first reserve bank of india meeting of the year will take place on thursday. the cost of living has been rising due to food costs. and here's how markets closed on friday. on wall street, the s&p 500 roared to a new all—time high and the nasdaq jumped to a fresh two—year peak. as strong earnings and a blow out january employment report boosted confidence in the economy. the rally capped a tumultuous week filled with high profile earnings, a fed rate decision, and renewed jitters over regional banking weakness. we'll be talking about this is the week unfolds here on asia business report, and will be looking forward to your company as we do that. bye—bye for now.

bbc news — bringing you different stories| from across the uk. it's a feat of engineering, 1400 tonnes of steel, seven years in the planning. great yarmouth's long awaited third river crossing. today, hundreds gathered for the grand opening. we pray you bless this bridge and all who pass over it and those who sail through it. back in 1933, thousands turned out for the opening of the town's haven bridge by the prince of wales. in the crowds, then, jenna brown, who at the sprightly age of 105, was guest of honour at today's opening. i was in school and we were all lined up as children and crowds the people and the then prince of wales opened it. of people and the then prince of wales opened it. yes. here you are now at the third river crossing. seeing that open, too.

it's a wonderful thing. for more stories from across the uk, head l to the bbc news website.

bbc news — bringing you different stories| from across the uk. going missing — for carers whose loved ones have dementia, it's a nightmare. kate has direct experience. just over a year ago, john went looking for her when she was out. fortunately, she'd signed up to avon and somerset police's dementia safeguarding scheme just five days before. i was very relieved when he came back, because you get that that rising panic, you know, when you're trying to keep calm. but thankfully, the, you know, the general public and the safeguarding system with the yellow tag sort of helped. so you can't walk past somebody in the street and itjust pick up.

you have to get really close, like you would if you were paying for something in a shop. and then when the wristband is tapped and then you can immediately call the wearers next of kin to help reunite them as quickly as possible. for more stories . from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. hello and welcome to sportsday. i'm cathy lyons. the headlines. it's advantage arsenal as the gunners strike a blow in the title race beating liverpool at emirates stadium. and we don't need another famous fight back if they are to pull off another astonishing victory against india, 332 runs behind. rugby�*s first superstar barry john passes away, a legend for wales and the lions. he was 79.

hello there. welcome to the programme. we're going to start with the english premier league, where the title race has become even more interesting after arsenal cut the gap to two points at the top of the table as they beat liverpool 3—1 at emirates stadium. bukayo saka opened the scoring for arsenal after 14 minutes, and they did look comfortable until gabriel scored an own goal in added time. at the end of the first half, arsenal retook the lead thanks to a defensive mix up between virgil van dijk and alisson, which allowed gabriel martinelli to score. and liverpool had ibrahima konate sent off in the closing minutes and then leandro trossard completed the victory. the win moves arsenal up to second place in the table. manchester city though, could overtake them when they visit brentford on monday evening.

i've been very happy, but it was a huge game.