The China Tea Leaf Index combines ten indicators to give an interactive view on the state of the economy. Simply select or deselect the individual components, and the index recalibrates automatically.

It broadly follows the methodology used by the Conference Board in producing its regular leading economic indicator indices, which is visible here.

Investment in new residential property developments, steel output, exports and consumer retail sales are presented as monthly percentage changes from a year earlier.

The figure for corporate bond and stock issuances is presented as a percentage change comparing total issuances over the past three months with the same period a year earlier.

The number of mentions of corruption in local media, rail freight volumes, passenger air miles, air quality readings and Tencent's share price are absolute numbers.

Air pollution data is reported by the U.S. Department of State, using their air quality monitors at the U.S. embassy in Beijing.

The index will be updated monthly.

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