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Economy /

China Economy

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Belt and Road Initiative
Asia housing and property
US-China trade war
Chinese students interact with an AI-powered assistant during a class in Zhejiang province last month. Photo: Xinhua
Artificial intelligence

China’s AI drive seen widening wealth gap, testing ‘common prosperity’ push

With Beijing’s ‘AI-plus’ plan looking to grow the nation’s digital economy, experts warn that hubs could further outpace rural regions, fuelling inequality.

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2026 Xi-Trump summit

‘Not decoupling’: what does US-China trade data signal ahead of Xi-Trump summit?

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China's population

Why Gen Z is abandoning Beijing for greener fields elsewhere in China

China trade

China defies Strait of Hormuz crisis with record monthly export value in April

Export value rose 14.1 per cent year on year, well above market forecasts.

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A worker loads sulphur at a storage yard on a wharf in China’s Jiangsu province in April. Photo: AFP
A worker loads sulphur at a storage yard on a wharf in China’s Jiangsu province in April. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV maker Leapmotor taps Stellantis’ Spanish plant for EU production

Hangzhou carmaker’s overseas strategy highlights how Chinese brands are leveraging idle plants to scale globally while easing trade barriers.

China energy security

China’s shipping firms brace for a new ‘era of chaos’ as Iran war drags on

Chinese shipping giants are signing long contracts and rejigging their networks, as they hedge against prolonged disruptions to global trade routes.

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Banking & finance

Wall Street giants lead China-profit surge despite market polarisation

Major investment banks expand market share in China, with Goldman reclaiming the revenue lead while Shengang keeps its asset crown.

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People walk along Wall Street near the New York Stock Exchange. Photo: Reuters
People walk along Wall Street near the New York Stock Exchange. Photo: Reuters
China trade

How China’s sharper tech edge forces South Korea to rethink old industrial ties

Scholars urge a pivot to shared AI and EV standards and cooperation, while an upgraded China-South Korea free-trade pact is deemed vital.

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2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump’s Beijing trip, Iran war diplomacy, tech earnings

This week: US President Donald Trump looks ahead to Beijing summit, China calls for reopening of Strait of Hormuz and tells companies to ignore US sanctions. Next week: JD.com, Alibaba and Tencent release earnings, trade data comes out, Hong Kong Affordable Art Show opens and more.

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump invites Boeing, Mastercard CEOs to join China trip next week: sources

Donald Trump Jnr and Eric Trump will also join the high-stakes summit in Beijing, sources say.

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US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla China posts 36% sales rise, as local rivals nip at heels

April sales rose on a year-on-year basis but dropped from the previous month, indicating fiercer competition from domestic brands.

An employee works in Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai on April 14. Photo: EPA
An employee works in Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai on April 14. Photo: EPA
China manufacturing

China’s airship ambitions progress as first commercial pilots certified at home

The sector is advancing faster than the available talent pool – but officials call licences a ‘breakthrough’ moment.

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China manufacturing

China robotics to drive next chapter of manufacturing dominance: Morgan Stanley

Strategic state-led investment and low production costs are expected to lift the nation’s manufacturing export share amid deployment of advanced automation.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s move to cut EV payment cycles may push weaker carmakers out: S&P

China’s weaker EV makers may soon be running on fumes as tighter payment cycles squeeze cash flow and curb price wars.

Employees work on the production line at a factory for Chery’s electric vehicles in Wuhu, Anhui province, China. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summit

Why US commercial stakes are ‘too high for Trump to ignore’ on China visit

After the US$37 billion, 300-plane deal from Trump’s last visit stalled, industry observers say the next one could be more flexible.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Illustration: Henry Wong
China travel

Fuel shocks, thin margins: why China’s airlines should ‘heed Spirit’s mistakes’

Demise of US budget carrier seen as a warning sign of how turbulent it could get for China’s airlines with fragile bottom lines.

Yuan

China sets yuan at strongest level in 3 years as US dollar jitters simmer

Beijing is pushing for a stronger yuan to help globalise the currency, but the upswing could create issues for the country’s export giants.

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China energy security

China’s energy security plan expands south: how Hainan is becoming an LNG hub

Global supply shocks have intensified in recent months – reaffirming Beijing’s years-long strategy.

China’s first bonded LNG terminal, in Hainan, could turn the island province into a regional energy hub. Photo: CCTV
China’s first bonded LNG terminal, in Hainan, could turn the island province into a regional energy hub. Photo: CCTV
Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s EV battery giants thrive while carmakers’ profits shrink amid price wars

Carmakers’ profit margin stood at 3.2 per cent in the first quarter, versus 6 per cent for downstream industrial firms, according to CPCA.

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China airliners

Expat pilots hoping to fly in China warned their credentials no longer coveted

China’s aviation market still attracts foreign pilots but they face high competition, rigid standards as overseas experience loses its shine.

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China travel

China’s record travel volume meets cautious spending in May Day holiday surge

Thousands of domestic train services added on last day of ‘golden week’ to meet record demand, and high energy costs affect consumer spending.

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Dozens of yachts are seen in waters off the coast of China’s Hainan province on Sunday, during a five-day national holiday. Photo: Xinhua
China-EU relations

Europe readies trade war weapon amid China export deluge

The EU is devising a new tool to help fight a trade war with China even as it contends with increasing hostility from US President Donald Trump.

Photo: EPA
Photo: EPA
China-EU relations

EU plan to rip out Chinese hardware will cost massive US$430 billion: report

Brussels’ proposed new Cybersecurity Act would require vast amounts of Chinese equipment to be ripped out and replaced in a slew of industries.

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China consumption

China’s Labour Day box office disappoints despite strong line-up – what happened?

Cold War 1994 and The Devil Wears Prada 2 were tipped to shine in a crowded release window – but many consumers chose to stay away.

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China trade

How this Chinese city is netting profits amid 2026 World Cup fever

Yiwu, the world’s capital of small goods, tackles global market for football-related merchandise as buzz builds ahead of major tournament.

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A foreign buyer checks footballs at a store in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Photo: China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
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