Hello and welcome to your daily business and finance update from the vibrant mainland China's economy, and from around the slowing parts of the world.

First up, a Supply Chain Alert: a Christmas shipping crisis looms for Chinese exporters.

As the trade season intensifies, a recent attack in the Red Sea has led to skyrocketing shipping costs.

Combined with early shipment requests from American and European customers, Chinese manufacturers are pushed into overdrive to meet the unexpected demand.

In financial news, China's ETF market has experienced explosive growth in 2023.

The inflow of funds reached a staggering 604.3 billion RMB, nearly five times the amount in 2021 and double from last year, with a significant 96 percent invested in equity funds.

This marks a significant milestone for the Chinese market.

On the global banking front, Western investment banks are scaling back their operations in China amid a market slowdown.

This year has seen the largest reduction in staff in years, a response to the declining profits in the region.

Looking towards the corporate world, Amazon's international business division is on track for profitability.

After a strategic overhaul of its warehousing and distribution operations, the division is projected to turn a profit in the first quarter of 2024.

In real estate, foreign investors find themselves caught in China's Evergrande debt web.

As the real estate boom turns to bust, overseas bondholders are facing significant financial losses, with little recourse within the Chinese legal framework.

In finance, China's Central Bank has taken steps to cool down the 'Bond Fever.'.

With borrowing costs pushed to 20-year lows, officials are stepping in to temper the bond market’s excessive gains.

Turning to legal news, Citibank has been named as money launderers' favorite by U.S. law enforcement.

A recent indictment highlights issues within the bank's monitoring systems, with accusations of drug traffickers depositing 36,000 dollars in ATMs.

In U.S. politics, following the first presidential debate, Donald Trump's prospects for reelection have increased.

His potential victory could signal a major shift towards isolationism in U.S. foreign policy.

Lastly, let's look at technology with Morgan Stanley's latest report on the rise of robots.

This analysis dives into the advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence, showcasing how these technologies are set to reshape various industries and the economy.

Thank you for tuning in. Stay informed and ahead of the curve with our daily updates.