This week’s readings include Andy Xie’s opinion piece on the Chinese property market, a look at equity valuations in Asia by the Gavekal research team and a note on the unexpected removal of Cyrus Mistry as chairman of Tata Sons.

• Middle class fall prey to Beijing’s manipulation of the property market: Andy Xie says government policy moves have helped sustain China’s property bubble.
• Where do Asia equity valuations stand today?: Developed market Asia is the cheapest region in the developed world across four major valuation ratios (P/CF, P/B, P/E and P/S).
• Tata replaces Cyrus Mistry as chairman with Ratan Tata: A sudden and unexpected move from a company that is usually very private and conscious of its public image.
• Message to shareholders (October): Robert Horrocks of Matthews Asia discusses how upcoming fiscal policy decisions across the globe are likely to affect the group’s portfolios.
• The making of a Philippine president: Philip Bowring on what can be expected from the controversial but ultimately pragmatic Rodrigo Duterte.