This week on the Caixin-Sinica Business Brief: U.S. firms reported falling optimism for their China operations amid concerns over Sino-U.S. tensions, but many are still planning to boost investment in the country; Chinese steelmakers come out strong despite a property slump; and a troubled Zhongzhi-linked financial institution asks two state-owned companies to help manage its business.

Plus, Yukun Zhang joins to talk about local government debt and the proposals being floated to address this potentially dangerous issue.