he s there for two days, and the visit is aimed at strengthening ties with its southern neighbour. china is already vietnam s biggest investor. this year, registered investment from mainland china and hong kong combined doubled to more than $8 billion. that s compared to 2022 when pandemic restrictions were still in place in china. but with the us pushing to grow its influence in the region, beijing is also clinging to deepen relations with hanoi even further. raji biswas from s&p global market intelligence describes what s at stake for both countries. i think it s very much reflecting the importance of vietnam for china economically and of course it s an important neighbour as well. so, the political relationship, i think that will be important in terms of president xi s visit to strengthen bilateral ties further. but also, vietnam has become increasingly important in its own right as an export market for china. it s now the fifth largest export market for china and it s gro
stores. joining me now is retail expert dr sarah montan. thank you very much forjoining us. are you surprised that a big retailer like zara has gone this way? do you think this is the way things are headed? way? do you think this is the way things are headed? thank you and aood things are headed? thank you and good evening- things are headed? thank you and good evening- l things are headed? thank you and good evening. i think things are headed? thank you and good evening. i think this - things are headed? thank you and good evening. i think this has i things are headed? thank you and | good evening. i think this has been a really interesting move by zara because what we ve actually seen as well for retailers, we re seeing an increase in returns as well. perhaps over lockdown, we were buying loungewear that didn t need to fit as precisely as now we re back to socialising. it s actually more important that garments fit correctly. there s some evidence to suggest that returns have i
for a level students sitting their first exams at 18, it s a bigger step this year. but for everyone, just getting under way is a relief. i really liked the exam. i was nervous when i went in, but once i opened the paper and looked through the question, i thought, yes, this is what i ve been revising. one down, many more ahead. some are waiting for them at the end. branwenjeffreys, bbc news, norwich. good luck to them. i don t fancy exams at all these days. now fashion giant zara has become the latest retailer to charge shoppers who return items bought online. customers must now pay £1.95 to return clothes, with the cost taken from their refund. items bought online can still be returned for free in stores. high street firms such as uniqlo and next already charge for online returns. they could still be returned in the
has to be protest, so does cost the retailer. given the fact that we are seeing price increases across the supply chain, i don t think it s a particular surprised. you supply chain, i don t think it s a particular surprised. supply chain, i don t think it s a particular surprised. you think it will ut particular surprised. you think it will put people particular surprised. you think it will put people off? particular surprised. you think it will put people off? well, i particular surprised. you think it will put people off? well, zara l will put people off? well, zara would like will put people off? well, zara would like it will put people off? well, zara would like it to will put people off? well, zara would like it to do will put people off? well, zara would like it to do a will put people off? well, zara would like it to do a little i will put people off? well, zara would like it to do a little bit, l would like it to do a little bit, so they still like you to shop wi