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Economy /

China Economy

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Belt and Road Initiative
Asia housing and property
US-China trade war
Workers grind a pipe on an offshore oil and gas platform in Tianjin’s Binhai New Area on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
China GDP

Exclusive | China to set GDP growth range, providing policy flexibility in 2026: sources

Establishing a range for the official growth target, to be revealed in March, would suggest tolerance for some deceleration amid challenges.

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China’s private sector

China’s private sector increases presence among top 100 listed firms

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China energy security

China’s massive project to funnel clean energy from Tibet enters new phase

Artificial intelligence

China’s ‘infrastructure first’ effort a major edge in AI arms race: Davos panel

A rapid energy buildout and strategic data centre expansion give China unique advantages in developing its AI industry.

China’s “AI Plus” panel discussion at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday included, from left, moderator Guan Xin, Tencent Holdings’ Dowson Tong, Moonshot AI’s Zhang Yutong and Nankai University’s Gong Ke. Photo: SCMP
China’s “AI Plus” panel discussion at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday included, from left, moderator Guan Xin, Tencent Holdings’ Dowson Tong, Moonshot AI’s Zhang Yutong and Nankai University’s Gong Ke. Photo: SCMP
China jobs

China’s youth jobless rate edges down – but labour market strains persist

Beijing vows to prioritise job market in 2026, the first year of new five-year plan.

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

‘No choice’: China seen eyeing consumption as a route out of export reliance

Beijing’s policies seen putting income growth above GDP, with investments in social welfare, future tech and advanced manufacturing to spur internal demand.

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US-China trade war

Chips, soybeans, tariffs: what’s on tap for US-China talks before a Trump visit?

Analysts expect any pre-summit talks to focus on deliverables such as easing semiconductor curbs and boosting agricultural sales, setting the stage for Xi and Trump.

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A discussion about stepping up trade in artificial intelligence chips may be on the cards in potential US-China talks before the next in-person meeting involving presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Photo: Shutterstock
A discussion about stepping up trade in artificial intelligence chips may be on the cards in potential US-China talks before the next in-person meeting involving presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Photo: Shutterstock
US-China relations

US losing out to China with ‘onslaught’ on cutting-edge research: Nobel laureate

America risks losing the tech race to China unless it elects a government more supportive of scientific research, Nobel-winning economist says.

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Low-altitude economy

Shanghai to open ‘free-to-fly’ zones covering 46% of city for consumer drones

From February 1, consumer drones will be allowed to fly in designated airspace under new rules to boost the city’s low-altitude economy.

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China exports

How China is rethinking export-led growth as global trade walls rise

Protectionism is forcing a shift towards balancing exports with outbound investment, analysts say.

China’s trade surplus reached a record high in 2025, raising the risk of renewed trade frictions with partners and paving the way for a potential recalibration in Beijing. Photo: Shutterstock
Artificial intelligence

Beijing outlines tech push with focus on AI, 6G, humanoid robots

Tech ministry’s plan targets breakthroughs in AI models, agents and chips, as well as AI’s spread into diverse sectors.

A child interacts with a robot at a store in Shenzhen, in south China’s Guangdong province, on January 16, 2026. Photo: Xinhua
A child interacts with a robot at a store in Shenzhen, in south China’s Guangdong province, on January 16, 2026. Photo: Xinhua
China trade

China should leverage buying power to boost yuan’s use, former PBOC adviser says

With the yuan’s fixing at fresh 2023 highs and US dollar uncertainty rising under Trump, Beijing is urged to expand yuan-settled imports to internationalise its currency.

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China trade

China has tools to step up trade curbs on Japan amid tensions: Morgan Stanley

But Beijing is likely to conclude that further action would be counterproductive, according to the investment bank.

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China trade

China’s zero-tariff gambit: why Beijing is slashing duties as Trump raises them

China’s average effective tariff rate estimated to be as low as 1.3 per cent in 2025, helping it secure raw materials and build soft power.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and African leaders arrive at a forum on China-Africa cooperation in Beijing. China has pledged to cut tariffs on most African imports to zero. Photo: Xinhua
China's economic recovery

China’s Xi pushes ‘holistic’ execution by local cadres for 5-year plan

Xi pushes need for full grasp of 2026-2030 goals, setting boundaries amid domestic malaise and external challenges to get the ball rolling.

President Xi Jinping, seen here in July 2024, addressed China’s provincial leaders and ministers at the Central Party School in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: AP
President Xi Jinping, seen here in July 2024, addressed China’s provincial leaders and ministers at the Central Party School in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: AP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV makers’ outlook overseas improves as Europe levels the playing field

Europe’s 33 per cent EV sales growth outpaces the mainland in 2025, while Germany launches a US$3.5 billion subsidy programme.

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

China’s He Lifeng warns of ‘law of the jungle’, blasts protectionism, at Davos

Amid escalating transatlantic rifts fuelled by Donald Trump, vice-premier urges global cooperation, free trade and dialogue, pledging to boost imports and open China’s market.

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China consumption

China targets hi-tech industries, household spending in 2026 with policy package

Beijing announces support for small businesses and the tech sector, after 2025 economic data shows heavy reliance on exports.

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Retail sales increased slightly in 2025, but still fell short of market expectations. Photo: Xinhua
Retail sales increased slightly in 2025, but still fell short of market expectations. Photo: Xinhua
China consumption

China’s consumers refuse to open their wallets. Is ‘luxury-phobia’ the problem?

Chinese households are not splashing out on luxury goods partly because they feel ‘stigmatised’ for doing so, scholar argues.

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China's economic recovery

Shanghai unveils road map to rival world cities in finance, tech and innovation

Economic powerhouse has sights set on AI, advanced manufacturing and global financial services, reflecting a national 5-year plan’s first explicit financial-centre directive.

China jobs

Hong Kong degree is ‘passport’ to jobs in the world’s third-largest art market

Art graduates from the mainland, looking to expand their horizons and gain an edge in the job market, are flocking to Hong Kong for further study.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Belt and Road Initiative

US trade war? China had bigger plans in 2025 as ‘belt and road’ deals surged

China’s global infrastructure strategy logged a record US$213 billion of new deals in 2025, as metals projects in Central Asia soared, report finds.

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Security guards patrol a lithium project in Zimbabwe. China’s engagement in metals and mining projects surged last year, according to a report by the Griffith Asia Institute. Photo: EPA-EFE
Security guards patrol a lithium project in Zimbabwe. China’s engagement in metals and mining projects surged last year, according to a report by the Griffith Asia Institute. Photo: EPA-EFE
China GDP

IMF raises China’s 2026 growth forecast to 4.5%, citing US ‘truce’ and stimulus

The fund predicts lower US tariffs and efforts to raise consumer spending may boost economy, though forecast short of last year’s growth.

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China's population

Baby bust: China births plunge 17% in 2025 to historic low as population shrinks

With Beijing having accelerated family-support policies and childcare subsidies, analysts warn that structural reforms are vital to arrest the deepening slide.

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China stock market

China’s securities regulator clamps down on speculation to prevent sharp swings

CSRC signals it wants a slower but longer stock market rally after trading volumes and margin financing hit record highs.

Regulators are moving to cool pockets of overheating in the A-share market following a strong start to 2026. Photo: AFP
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