The China Edit | Avoiding a Hard Landing, Adidas Plans 3,000 Stores, JD.com Beats Expectations

"China Says Economy Will 'Absolutely Not' Experience Hard Landing" (Reuters)
"China's economy isn't headed for a hard landing and isn't dragging on the global economy, China's top economic planner said on Sunday, but uncertainty and instability in the global economy do pose a risk to the country's growth."

"Adidas to Boost China Outlets by a Third With 3,000 Stores" (Bloomberg)
"German sportswear maker Adidas AG will open 3,000 new stores in China by 2020, counting on rising affluence and health-awareness in the country to boost its global business."

"Mainland China Shopping Malls and Department Stores Struggling as Economy Slows" (South China Morning Post)
"A number of Chinese mall operators and department store chains have posted profit warnings in the past few weeks, reflecting weaker retail sales amid an economic slowdown and an e-commerce boom, with analysts predicting few will survive as competition heats up."

"JD.Com's Revenue Growth Beats Expectations" (Reuters)
"JD.com has reported better than expected revenue growth in the last three months of 2015 as volume sales on its platforms jumped despite China's economic slowdown."

"Beijing Has China's Best Environment for Startups, New Survey Says" (The Wall Street Journal)
"Amid the fervor for entrepreneurism sweeping across China, a new survey shows that Beijing is considered to have the country's best environment for startups."

"Cotton Inventories Set to Fall for First Time in Six Years" (The Financial Times)
"Global inventories for cotton are forecast to fall for the first time in six years as China tries to reduce its state holdings and dry weather hits key producers.