China

Something historic, if largely unnoticed, took place at the end of 2016: China’s banking system surpassed that of the eurozone, becoming the world’s largest by assets, which according to the FT is a sign of both of the country’s increased influence in world finance and its reliance on debt to drive growth since the global financial crisis. It is also a confirmation that when it comes to interwoven, "Too Big To Fail" financial systems, nothing compares to China and that the onus is on Beijing to keep its banks viable and solvent at all costs.

As part of the previously previewed "Two Sessions" which started on Sunday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Sunday delivered the annual report on the work of the government in Beijing, summarizing the country’s achievements in the past year, and setting goals for this year. In his policy speech, lasting 97 minutes and 18,600 Chinese characters, Li signaled a course adjustment for the world's second-largest economy and some important changes in tone.

A 90-second summary of the key highlights from Li's Two Sessions address is shown in the clip below:

The US has Jeff Sessions, but China is about to have "two sessions".

Starting Sunday is a two-week period of heightened political discourse, if not exactly debate, among the top echelons of China's Politburo, also known as China's "two sessions."

Pope Francis is urging Christians to adopt China’s one child policy in order to “make the world more sustainable“, according to a panelist at the Vatican-run Biological Extinction Conference held earlier this week.

World stocks pulled back from all time highs, and European bourses initially followed U.S. futures and Asian shares lower, however both European risk sentiment as well as E-Minis rebounded after an Odoxa poll showed Macron overtaking Le Pen in the 1st round for the first time, and that the addition of Juppe instead of Fillon may see a 2nd round run-off between Macron vs Juppe, leading to a slump in Bund futures to session lows, and a bounce in European stocks.