Zhou Xin

Hong Kong

Zhou Xin

Political Economy Editor

Zhou Xin co-leads the political economy team at the Post. He mainly covers economic stories but also writes about Chinese politics and diplomacy. He has previously worked for Reuters and Bloomberg in Beijing.

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Latest from Zhou Xin

China turns to ‘street vendor economy’ to help manage unemployment crisis

New policy to encourage street vendors is backed by China's Premier Li Keqiang as a way to create self-employed business to absorb newly unemployed.

1 hour ago

New policy to encourage street vendors is backed by China's Premier Li Keqiang as a way to create self-employed business to absorb newly unemployed.

China turns to ‘street vendor economy’ to help manage unemployment crisis
Hong Kong security law: China weighs risk US will go for ‘nuclear option’ and cut Beijing from the dollar payment system

Beijing is weighing the risk of US financial sanctions, including being cut off from the dollar payment system, after pushing ahead with the Hong Kong security law.

4 Jun 2020 - 2:40PM

Beijing is weighing the risk of US financial sanctions, including being cut off from the dollar payment system, after pushing ahead with the Hong Kong security law.

Hong Kong security law: China weighs risk US will go for ‘nuclear option’ and cut Beijing from the dollar payment system
Is China rich or poor? Nation’s wealth debate muddied by conflicting government data

Premier Li Keqiang has stoked ongoing debate about China’s wealth after declaring more than 40 per cent of Chinese had a monthly income of 1,000 yuan (US$140).

29 May 2020 - 8:34PM

Premier Li Keqiang has stoked ongoing debate about China’s wealth after declaring more than 40 per cent of Chinese had a monthly income of 1,000 yuan (US$140).

Is China rich or poor? Nation’s wealth debate muddied by conflicting government data
Coronavirus: China set to push economic policy to new limits as National People’s Congress begins

Chinese leaders are expected to announce how they will handle the unprecedented economic fallout from the coronavirus at the National People’s Congress.

22 May 2020 - 8:21AM

Chinese leaders are expected to announce how they will handle the unprecedented economic fallout from the coronavirus at the National People’s Congress.

Coronavirus: China set to push economic policy to new limits as National People’s Congress begins
Coronavirus: is China prepared to handle an unemployment crisis?

The coronavirus has sent unemployment soaring in China, placing pressure on its state-run benefit system, which is seen as being ill-equipped to deal with the current crisis.

13 May 2020 - 11:32AM

The coronavirus has sent unemployment soaring in China, placing pressure on its state-run benefit system, which is seen as being ill-equipped to deal with the current crisis.

Coronavirus: is China prepared to handle an unemployment crisis?
China, EU join 19-member temporary global trade dispute system, but US, UK, Japan, India not included

World Trade Organisation (WTO) appeals body ceased to function in December after the Trump administration blocked the appointment of new judges since 2017.

4 May 2020 - 9:48PM

World Trade Organisation (WTO) appeals body ceased to function in December after the Trump administration blocked the appointment of new judges since 2017.

China, EU join 19-member temporary global trade dispute system, but US, UK, Japan, India not included
Coronavirus: how will China’s role in the global economy change when faced with pandemic backlash?

Beijing is preparing for an international backlash following the coronavirus pandemic, but it is determined to maintain China’s integral role in the global economy.

20 May 2020 - 3:11PM

Beijing is preparing for an international backlash following the coronavirus pandemic, but it is determined to maintain China’s integral role in the global economy.

Coronavirus: how will China’s role in the global economy change when faced with pandemic backlash?
Coronavirus: WHO row between US, China sees G20 leaders summit called off at last minute, source says

The Group of 20 (G20) planned to hold a second virtual leaders’ summit on Friday to discuss the global response to the coronavirus outbreak.

25 Apr 2020 - 11:32PM

The Group of 20 (G20) planned to hold a second virtual leaders’ summit on Friday to discuss the global response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus: WHO row between US, China sees G20 leaders summit called off at last minute, source says
Why is an oil price plunge not being celebrated by China, the world’s biggest crude buyer?

China relies on oil imports for over 70 per cent of its domestic consumption, but a glut of cheap supply in the global market is creating anxiety in the world’s second largest economy.

24 Apr 2020 - 9:07AM

China relies on oil imports for over 70 per cent of its domestic consumption, but a glut of cheap supply in the global market is creating anxiety in the world’s second largest economy.

Why is an oil price plunge not being celebrated by China, the world’s biggest crude buyer?
Coronavirus: China’s Xi Jinping promises action as economic growth machine stalls in first quarter of 2020

China’s remarkable run of economic growth came to an abrupt end in the first quarter of 2020 due to the coronavirus, with analysts warning of further tough times ahead.

20 Apr 2020 - 12:16PM

China’s remarkable run of economic growth came to an abrupt end in the first quarter of 2020 due to the coronavirus, with analysts warning of further tough times ahead.

Coronavirus: China’s Xi Jinping promises action as economic growth machine stalls in first quarter of 2020
Coronavirus: China oil titan warns of gathering ‘black swan’ risks for Beijing after pandemic

Fu Chengyu, the former chairman of China oil giant CNOOC, has painted an ominous picture of increasing US antagonism and rising ‘black swan’ risks post Covid-19.

21 Apr 2020 - 9:21AM

Fu Chengyu, the former chairman of China oil giant CNOOC, has painted an ominous picture of increasing US antagonism and rising ‘black swan’ risks post Covid-19.

Coronavirus: China oil titan warns of gathering ‘black swan’ risks for Beijing after pandemic
China gets first glimpse at sovereign digital currency after screenshot leaks online

China’s digital currency has undergone testing over the past several months at state-owned banks, a source says, although there is not yet an official launch date.

21 May 2020 - 4:56PM

China’s digital currency has undergone testing over the past several months at state-owned banks, a source says, although there is not yet an official launch date.

China gets first glimpse at sovereign digital currency after screenshot leaks online
China vows to unleash deep market-oriented reforms in new policy directive as economic uncertainty grows

The Chinese Communist Party has vowed to deepen market-oriented reform in key sectors of the economy, from land management to labour, in a new policy blueprint.

10 Apr 2020 - 10:00PM

The Chinese Communist Party has vowed to deepen market-oriented reform in key sectors of the economy, from land management to labour, in a new policy blueprint.

China vows to unleash deep market-oriented reforms in new policy directive as economic uncertainty grows
Coronavirus: Why did Xi Jinping choose this port city for his economy fact-finding trip?

Chinese president makes his first visit outside Beijing since his tour of virus-hit Wuhan on March 10.

30 Mar 2020 - 11:55PM

Chinese president makes his first visit outside Beijing since his tour of virus-hit Wuhan on March 10.

Coronavirus: Why did Xi Jinping choose this port city for his economy fact-finding trip?
Coronavirus sparks US dollar dilemma for China as Federal Reserve ramps up easing

As the US Federal Reserve scales up monetary easing, pushing down bond yields, some analysts have asked whether Beijing should sell its US Treasury holdings.

26 Mar 2020 - 9:37PM

As the US Federal Reserve scales up monetary easing, pushing down bond yields, some analysts have asked whether Beijing should sell its US Treasury holdings.

Coronavirus sparks US dollar dilemma for China as Federal Reserve ramps up easing
Hopes for G20 coronavirus summit truce in China-US war of words

World leaders could agree to work together to counter common threat from Covid-19 when they meet via teleconference, according to draft statement.

26 Mar 2020 - 8:43AM

World leaders could agree to work together to counter common threat from Covid-19 when they meet via teleconference, according to draft statement.

Hopes for G20 coronavirus summit truce in China-US war of words
Coronavirus: China’s stranded citizens offered medical advice via free service from Alibaba founder Jack Ma

It is the latest effort from the Alibaba founder to combat the coronavirus having already donated masks and test kits to other countries.

24 Mar 2020 - 8:08PM

It is the latest effort from the Alibaba founder to combat the coronavirus having already donated masks and test kits to other countries.

Coronavirus: China’s stranded citizens offered medical advice via free service from Alibaba founder Jack Ma
Coronavirus: why is China keeping its powder dry on interest rates as economic contagion grows?

The People’s Bank of China has refused to join other major central banks in cutting its benchmark lending rate to staunch the economic shock of the coronavirus pandemic.

20 Mar 2020 - 11:01PM

The People’s Bank of China has refused to join other major central banks in cutting its benchmark lending rate to staunch the economic shock of the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus: why is China keeping its powder dry on interest rates as economic contagion grows?
Coronavirus: China joins US, Europe in moves to calm markets as economic anxiety grows

The People’s Bank of China that it would pump 550 billion yuan (US$78 billion) into its banking system to spur additional lending amid the coronavirus.

16 Mar 2020 - 10:16AM

The People’s Bank of China that it would pump 550 billion yuan (US$78 billion) into its banking system to spur additional lending amid the coronavirus.

Coronavirus: China joins US, Europe in moves to calm markets as economic anxiety grows
Coronavirus: China trumpets message of stability amid world turmoil as Beijing senses Covid-19 victory

President Xi Jinping’s trip to the coronavirus epicentre of Wuhan on Tuesday buoyed stock markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai after Monday’s global free-fall.

11 Mar 2020 - 3:07AM

President Xi Jinping’s trip to the coronavirus epicentre of Wuhan on Tuesday buoyed stock markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai after Monday’s global free-fall.

Coronavirus: China trumpets message of stability amid world turmoil as Beijing senses Covid-19 victory
Coronavirus: will China’s economy shrink for the first time since the Cultural Revolution in 1976?

Plunges in first economic indicators since the outbreak of the coronavirus have prompted sharp revisions of China’s economic forecasts.

16 Mar 2020 - 2:27PM

Plunges in first economic indicators since the outbreak of the coronavirus have prompted sharp revisions of China’s economic forecasts.

Coronavirus: will China’s economy shrink for the first time since the Cultural Revolution in 1976?
Coronavirus: China reports surprising rail freight growth in February despite factory activity tumbling

Despite the coronavirus outbreak closing down much of China’s manufacturing and trade, the state rail operator posted growth in rail freight in the month of February.

2 Mar 2020 - 7:45PM

Despite the coronavirus outbreak closing down much of China’s manufacturing and trade, the state rail operator posted growth in rail freight in the month of February.

Coronavirus: China reports surprising rail freight growth in February despite factory activity tumbling
Coronavirus: China’s economy may suffer more than Beijing hoped as manufacturing, service sectors plunge

Official purchasing managers’ indices for both manufacturing and service sectors drop to all-time lows as steep falls raise questions over extent of coronavirus damage.

16 Mar 2020 - 2:14PM

Official purchasing managers’ indices for both manufacturing and service sectors drop to all-time lows as steep falls raise questions over extent of coronavirus damage.

Coronavirus: China’s economy may suffer more than Beijing hoped as manufacturing, service sectors plunge
Coronavirus: doubts raised over whether Chinese companies can use force majeure to counter risks

Thousands of certificates have been issued to Chinese companies seeking to invoke force majeure because they cannot meet contract obligations because of the coronavirus outbreak.

26 Feb 2020 - 9:20AM

Thousands of certificates have been issued to Chinese companies seeking to invoke force majeure because they cannot meet contract obligations because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus: doubts raised over whether Chinese companies can use force majeure to counter risks
Coronavirus: China likely overestimating economic recovery by leaving out hard-hit small businesses

President Xi Jinping has called for China to restore economic and social activity to pre-coronavirus levels, although official figures only cover larger firms.

24 Feb 2020 - 11:22PM

President Xi Jinping has called for China to restore economic and social activity to pre-coronavirus levels, although official figures only cover larger firms.

Coronavirus: China likely overestimating economic recovery by leaving out hard-hit small businesses
Help China’s key manufacturers plug back into global supply chain, Xi Jinping says

Epidemic control must be balanced with restoring production, president says.

22 Feb 2020 - 5:42AM

Epidemic control must be balanced with restoring production, president says.

Help China’s key manufacturers plug back into global supply chain, Xi Jinping says
Huawei pushes US to release secret files on HSBC-Meng Wanzhou ties as legal battle broadens

The legal battle embroiling Huawei, HSBC, Meng Wanzhou and the US Department of Justice was broadened by Chinese tech giant’s request.

22 Feb 2020 - 1:00AM

The legal battle embroiling Huawei, HSBC, Meng Wanzhou and the US Department of Justice was broadened by Chinese tech giant’s request.

Huawei pushes US to release secret files on HSBC-Meng Wanzhou ties as legal battle broadens
China lifts import ban on live poultry from US as bird flu threatens local farms

Move to lift import ban on live poultry from the United States took effect on Friday, and comes after deadly H5N1 bird flu was found in chickens in two provinces in China.

17 Feb 2020 - 10:32AM

Move to lift import ban on live poultry from the United States took effect on Friday, and comes after deadly H5N1 bird flu was found in chickens in two provinces in China.

China lifts import ban on live poultry from US as bird flu threatens local farms
Coronavirus: China puts a brave face on economic impact as Xi Jinping still vows to deliver promised goals

President Xi Jinping has emphasised the outbreak of coronavirus should not stop China from achieving its social and economic goals.

16 Mar 2020 - 2:28PM

President Xi Jinping has emphasised the outbreak of coronavirus should not stop China from achieving its social and economic goals.

Coronavirus: China puts a brave face on economic impact as Xi Jinping still vows to deliver promised goals
Coronavirus: Xi Jinping sends message on China’s economy and getting back to business

Chinese President Xi Jinping claims there have been ‘positive results’ in controlling the coronavirus outbreak during meeting of Communist Party’s inner circle.

13 Feb 2020 - 11:39PM

Chinese President Xi Jinping claims there have been ‘positive results’ in controlling the coronavirus outbreak during meeting of Communist Party’s inner circle.

Coronavirus: Xi Jinping sends message on China’s economy and getting back to business