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Economic Indicators

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The Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is seen on Thursday in China’s Zhejiang province. The nation’s trade resilience has been attributed to its fastest-growing sectors having limited exposure to the United States. Photo: Xinhua
China trade

As China’s US exports plunge, Beijing banks on diversification for 2026 growth

Shipments to Asean and Africa surged to drive a record US$1.19 trillion surplus for China, offsetting headwinds as leaders push to boost local demand.

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China’s private sector

Changing tastes: China’s new affluent consumers seek quality not extravagance

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China inflation

China’s consumer prices stay flat in 2025 amid focus on price wars

China jobs

What are China’s hottest jobs as AI reshapes the labour market?

The structural shift in China’s labour market will make digital skills mandatory as new opportunities emerge and traditional work tapers off.

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Artificial intelligence will shape the future of job creation in China as demand for AI product managers surges by 178 per cent and digital skills will be mandatory in the new employment landscape. Photo: Shutterstock
Artificial intelligence will shape the future of job creation in China as demand for AI product managers surges by 178 per cent and digital skills will be mandatory in the new employment landscape. Photo: Shutterstock
China property

China housing market gets VAT relief on resales but demand outlook stays subdued

Policy lowering VAT to 3 per cent reduces seller costs but demand recovery is key to stabilising the housing sector, property agents say.

China manufacturing

China’s factory activity breaks 8-month contraction, but headwinds persist

China’s manufacturing PMI rose to 50.1 in December, but analysts said it was too early to point to a sustained recovery.

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Yuan

China sets yuan fixing rate at 15-month high amid offshore gains

The move follows offshore yuan briefly breaching seven-per-US-dollar mark, with analysts citing dollar weakness, seasonal factors for rally.

The People’s Bank of China set the yuan’s midpoint, or daily fixing rate, at 7.0331 to the US dollar on Monday. Photo: Getty Images
The People’s Bank of China set the yuan’s midpoint, or daily fixing rate, at 7.0331 to the US dollar on Monday. Photo: Getty Images
China exports

China’s rare earth magnet exports to EU jump nearly 60% as approvals take effect

Shipments of permanent magnets to Europe saw a large increase in November, as Beijing begins granting general licences for rare earth exports.

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China consumption

China’s growth engines sputter as retail and investment hit in November

Retail sales grew just 1.3 per cent, with growth momentum slowing for six straight months, and January-November investment fell 2.6 per cent as the property slump persisted.

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China consumption

China’s consumer prices rise at fastest pace in nearly 2 years in November

Consumer price index rises by 0.7 per cent for the month, while factory-gate prices continue long decline.

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Customers shop at a store in Beijing on October 19. Photo: Reuters
China trade

China’s trade surplus tops record US$1 trillion, defying trade war uncertainty

November outbound shipments increased 5.9 per cent, surpassing forecasts – though exports to US extended sharp decline.

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A drone photo taken on December 4 shows a cargo ship loaded with containers departing from Qingdao Port in east China’s Shandong province. Photo: Xinhua
A drone photo taken on December 4 shows a cargo ship loaded with containers departing from Qingdao Port in east China’s Shandong province. Photo: Xinhua
Mainland China

Chinese consumer and tourism firms turn to shareholder perks to stimulate sales

Companies from Sichuan to Anhui offer discounts and free tickets to shareholders amid slowing consumption in mainland China.

China’s private sector

US lifts China sentiment, but tensions cloud outlook in Japan: report

Global confidence in China ticked higher in the third quarter, Morgan Stanley says, driven by US companies and policy support in Beijing.

China consumption

China delivers record 180 billion parcels in 11 months as shoppers chase deals

Express deliveries have reached as high as 777 million per day in 2025 as China’s consumers turn to cut-price online platforms.

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Parcels are piled up near an apartment building in Beijing during the Singles’ Day shopping festival in November 2020. China’s consumers continue to turn to e-commerce platforms to find cut-price deals. Photo: AP
Banking & finance

Will Russia’s gold sale prompt a retreat? Hedge fund manager spurs debate

While a Chinese hedge fund manager has claimed gold’s ‘best days’ are over, analysts argue Moscow’s move does not reflect the overall picture.

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A reported sale of gold by Russia’s central bank has stoked debate over whether the precious metal’s price rally has come to an end. Photo: AFP
A reported sale of gold by Russia’s central bank has stoked debate over whether the precious metal’s price rally has come to an end. Photo: AFP
China manufacturing

China’s factory activity contracts in November for 8th month in a row

Manufacturing PMI comes in at 49.2 but survey official says business sentiment has improved.

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China manufacturing

Price wars and tariffs: China’s industrial profits snap winning streak

Beijing to crack down on ‘disorderly’ market practices amid rising financial costs, while analysts point to excess capacity eating into corporate margins.

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China property

UBS’ China property optimist retreats from bullish calls, foresees deeper slump

Home prices in mainland China are expected to fall for at least another two years as more people prefer renting over buying, John Lam says.

Unfinished buildings in Beijing. Most global banks have dim outlooks for China’s real estate sector, which has been experiencing a renewed sales slump since the second quarter. Photo: EPA
Unfinished buildings in Beijing. Most global banks have dim outlooks for China’s real estate sector, which has been experiencing a renewed sales slump since the second quarter. Photo: EPA
China travel

As high-speed rail erodes airfares, China’s airlines are stuck in overcapacity

Flight loads have surpassed pre-pandemic levels on high-density routes, but China’s carriers are still struggling to balance their books.

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China jobs

China’s urban youth jobless rate falls slightly in tough market for graduates

Record numbers of young people still face intense competition securing employment, pushing more to pursue alternative paths.

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China’s private sector

China’s housing slide deepens as October prices fall at fastest pace in a year

New home prices drop 0.5 per cent across 70 cities despite easing measures amid slowing economy and job worries.

Primary home prices in top-tier cities, which are more economically developed and typically have higher housing demand, fell 0.3 per cent in October over September. Photo: EPA
China consumption

China’s growth softens in October as property drags investment further down

Official data points to uneven recovery last month, but analysts do not expect major stimulus as annual growth target within reach.

Customers shop at a store in Beijing on October 19. Photo: Reuters
Customers shop at a store in Beijing on October 19. Photo: Reuters
China trade

Where are the ‘choke points’ in global trade – and can they be overcome?

Global trade growth is set to slow by 0.6 per cent in 2026, Allianz Trade says, as tariffs cut deep and major routes get congested.

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China deflation

China’s consumer prices return to growth as deflationary pressures persist

CPI rises 0.2 per cent in October in a ‘surprise to the market’, while factory-gate prices fall for 37th month in a row.

China GDP

China names GDP benchmark for headline target: 4.17% annual growth through 2035

Official publication provides average growth rate to meet long-term goal, clarifying the next decade’s targets in pursuit of development goal.

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People shop at a supermarket in Zaozhuang, Shandong province, last month. Photo: Xinhua
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