Economic and event calendar in Asia Thursday, January 8, 2026. Chinese Dec trade data (?)

December trade data from China headlines the economic and event calendar in Asia today, Thursday, January 8, 2026.

I have not seen this listed on any other calendar, so I’m thinking perhaps it will not be published today. Trade data from China is often more towards the middle of the month.

I’ll keep an eye out for it, but, honestly, I’m not expecting it today. If it does hit, a couple of things to keep in mind:

• The time of release is scheduled for 0300 GMT, which is 2200 US Eastern time. The trade data does not necessarily get published on time, so if you are awaiting it it’ll pay to be flexible on this.
• Also, the trade data often comes out in dribs and drabs, it can take a good hour or so sometimes to get the complete picture.

We’ve had plenty to going on with from China this first full trading week of the new year. I posted on what I though was a clear signal from the People’s Bank of China:

• China flags rate and RRR cuts in 2026 as PBoC leans dovish

A clear signal of what, you ask? I said in that post (as a big bold print in the chart attached, check it out at that link) that ‘reading between the lines the PBoC is asking to stop buying so much yuan’. That turned out to be a gpood take with:

• the Chinese yuan pulled back from a 32-month high after the PBoC set a weaker daily fix for
  the first time in four sessions

And, the yuan lost ground during the session yesterday:

Will CNY fall further today? Let’s listen out if the PBoC offer us up any more insider info, otherwise don’t chisel a ‘weaker yuan’ view in stone just yet.

Also from China yesterday, a very hot topic indeed:

• China gold reserves continue to climb, up for a 14th month running

This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.