Advertisement
Advertisement
-
Economy /

China Economy

Related Topics:
Belt and Road Initiative
Asia housing and property
US-China trade war
US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in December. Photo: Getty Images
US-China relations

As Bessent tips next US-China trade talks, analysts see Trump-Xi meeting prep

Treasury Secretary Bessent confirms preparations for high-level dialogue, with analysts expecting a focus on specific transactional wins over a relationship reset.

videocam
China Conference: Southeast Asia

Indonesia eyes China partners to build ‘better than the EU standard’

Yuan

China keen to realise ambitions for digital currency amid slow uptake

China travel

China’s cruise industry passes major milestone as Beijing eyes travel boom

As domestic liner handles 1 millionth passenger, Beijing says it aims to turn yachts and cruise ships into major new consumption drivers.

videocam
4
The Adora Magic City is the first Chinese-made large cruise ship. Photo: Getty Images
The Adora Magic City is the first Chinese-made large cruise ship. Photo: Getty Images
China trade

Businesses to ‘keep doing it’ as Japan-China trade stays defiant after election

Neither side likely to want escalation in months-long dispute but near-term outlook uncertain, analysts say.

videocam
8
Cryptocurrency

Scams and outflows: why China slammed the door on real-world asset tokens

Beijing’s clampdown aims to help safeguard financial security and monetary sovereignty while leaving room for regulated fintech innovation in Hong Kong.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Artificial intelligence

China’s AI arms race sees sector brace for major flagship model launch week

A ‘stealth’ model has emerged, while advancements by Alibaba’s Qwen-3.5 and Zhipu’s GLM-5 aim to spur domestic competition following releases by US heavyweights.

China’s AI sector is bracing for a monumental week, with a flurry of anticipated model releases. Photo: Shutterstock
China’s AI sector is bracing for a monumental week, with a flurry of anticipated model releases. Photo: Shutterstock
China technology

China’s Xi signals tech ambitions in 5-year plan with Beijing tour

Visit comes as Beijing prioritises tech-driven development and achieving self-reliance in its latest socio-economic blueprint.

4
China consumption

China failed to hit 2025 soybean meal dependence target. US deal makes it harder

Beijing sees soybeans as the agricultural industry’s biggest vulnerability, while plans to cut their use in animal feed have little success.

videocam
5
Belt and Road Initiative

‘Time is ripe’: why China is eyeing another vast canal link to Southeast Asia

China has almost completed the US$10 billion Pinglu Canal connecting its heartlands to Southeast Asia. Now, it is mulling an even larger waterway.

Construction continues on the Pinglu Canal in China’s southern Guangxi region in January. The canal is due to open before the end of 2026. Photo: Xinhua
Banking & finance

Farmers’ son banker Xu Yiding under probe by China’s anti-corruption watchdog

The Agricultural Development Bank of China vice-president was once held up as a model figure for finance-driven poverty reduction.

videocam
Xu Yiding, awarded the the National Poverty Alleviation Innovation Award in 2017, is undergoing “disciplinary review and investigation”. Photo: Handout
Xu Yiding, awarded the the National Poverty Alleviation Innovation Award in 2017, is undergoing “disciplinary review and investigation”. Photo: Handout
China jobs

As jobs dry up, China’s graduates turn to booming ‘micro drama’ industry

The bite-sized series now rival box office hits in popularity – and with that success comes opportunity.

7
China GDP

China’s future growth rate could drop to 2.5% without market reforms: economist

China will struggle to keep growth above 4 per cent unless there is a ‘strong turnaround’ in productivity and consumer spending, economist warns.

9
Banking & finance

As China intensifies offshore tax hunt, exporters struggle with compliance

Beijing leverages big data and global info exchange to chase undeclared overseas wealth, with fiscal needs seen driving the push, forcing compliance across sectors.

The Yantai Port is seen in China’s Shandong province last month. For those in China’s cross-border trade business, a sweeping tax crackdown is beginning to be felt. Photo: Xinhua
Shanghai

Shanghai makes future-tech bid with promise of data, talent and capital

The city is striving for an early-mover advantage in the technology of tomorrow, including AI and quantum computing.

videocam
Shanghai is looking to humanoid robots to give a helping hand to growth. Photo: AFP
Shanghai is looking to humanoid robots to give a helping hand to growth. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

Chinese sports brands set sights on European expansion at 2026 Winter Olympics

The Games have become a test case for firms seeking to raise their global profile, highlighting rising ambitions and challenges.

Consumers

How Chinese consumers’ changing demands are keeping KFC’s owner on its toes

Yum China CEO Joey Wat banks on fast-food firm’s flexible store format and cheaper products to attract more Chinese consumers.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China’s private sector

How Western brands are adapting to China’s changing consumer landscape

Starbucks’ China stake sale signals a seismic shift, as global firms retreat amid rising competition, price wars and evolving consumer tastes.

12
Illustration: Henry Wong
Illustration: Henry Wong
China trade

As Beijing and Moscow tout ties, China’s companies keep Ukraine’s lights on

Ukrainians are buying Chinese batteries and emergency items en masse after Russian strikes, with Beijing’s ties to Moscow no damper on trade.

videocam
16
China trade

UK, China boost financial ties, deepen London’s role as offshore yuan hub

New pact designates a new yuan clearing bank, boosts cross-listings and expands green finance, accelerating the international use of China’s currency.

videocam
9
China trade

China-Canada canola deal faces test as USMCA trade talks loom, insiders warn

Initial shipments bring hope, but ‘Fortress North America’ threat and lack of long-term guarantees leave producers wary of Beijing’s commitment.

videocam
Bottles of Canola Harvest brand canola oil, made by a Canadian agribusiness firm, are seen on the shelf of a grocery store in Beijing. Photo: AP
TikTok

TikTok ‘addictive’, EU finds in digital law probe

European Commission cites TikTok’s ‘highly personalised’ system, slams safeguards as ineffective.

8
News of the findings comes amid a fierce debate in Europe about the impact of social media platforms on children’s mental health. Photo: Reuters
News of the findings comes amid a fierce debate in Europe about the impact of social media platforms on children’s mental health. Photo: Reuters
China-EU relations

Stung by Trump’s policies, German multinationals cautiously pivot towards China

German firms are keen to invest more in China as they shy away from the US, but they still face issues in the Chinese market, business group says.

videocam
Belt and Road Initiative

Trump wants China out of South America – but Peru’s Beijing-backed port is abuzz

Beijing’s hunger for minerals and raw materials is pushing trade in the region to record levels, even after incidents in Panama and Venezuela.

videocam
10
Transport and logistics

Panama’s ‘dangerous precedent’: why ports appear pawns as politics top contracts

Panama’s move to void CK Hutchison’s deal fuels fears of broader asset seizures, with analysts warning of rising risks for Chinese operators in the US sphere.

A view of the main entrance of the Port of Balboa in Panama City on Friday. A subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, Panama Ports Company (PPC), announced on Tuesday that it had initiated international arbitration proceedings against Panama after its courts revoked the concession allowing it to operate two ports on the interoceanic canal. Photo: AFP
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW