(Yicai Global) Dec. 9 -- As of Dec. 1, 156 bonds had defaulted in China this year, involving a total of CNY121.4 billion (USD17.3 billion), per Shanghai-based data provider Wind Information. Both the number and total amount of bonds in default this year hit a new high over the past five years, over four times greater than 2017's tally.

China will levy a 20 percent consumption tax on the production and import of liquor plus CNY0.5 (USD0.71) per 500 grams (or 500 milliliters), per the Consumption Tax Law (public comment draft) the country's Ministry of Finance and its State Taxation Administration released on Dec. 3.

Around 175 A-share companies had finished private placement this year as of Dec. 6 and raised about CNY510 billion, down 29 percent from the same time last year. Around 350 firms had aired their private placement plans, aiming to raise about CNY700 billion.

China's foreign exchange reserve totaled about USD3.1 trillion as of the end of last month, a rise of USD22.9 billion or 0.7 percent from earlier this year, per data the State Administration of Foreign Exchange released on Dec. 7.

Revenues of China's coal enterprises above a designated size dropped 3.2 percent in the first nine months compared with the same period last year, per data China National Coal Association unveiled on Dec. 6. The market coal price was CNY549 (USD78.06) per ton as of Nov. 25, down CNY87 per ton from a year earlier. 'Designated size' refers to producers with over CNY20 million (USD2.8 million) in annual operating income.

China conducted 72 policy adjustments in the real estate market last month, hitting a record high over the past year, as against 20 adjustments in the same period last year. The country's central bank has regulated the real estate market seven times in the second half and is expected to apply varied loan policies in different cities based on their transactions next year to avert financial risks.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index closed at 2,912.01 points last week, rising 1.39 percent or 40.03 points during the time. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange Composite Index closed up 3.09 percent or 296.46 points at 9,878.62 points. The Growth Enterprise Market index jumped by 3.72 percent or 61.90 points to 1,726.80.

Editor: Ben Armour