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Economy /

Economic Indicators

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US-China trade war
US-ally trade wars
Hong Kong stock exchange
China stock market
World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos
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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Belt and Road Initiative

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

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China stock market

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

China GDP

China hits 2025 GDP target – but quarterly growth drops to 3-year low

China logs 5 per cent GDP growth in 2025, 4.5 per cent in fourth quarter as Beijing acknowledges ‘long-standing issues and new challenges’.

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China recorded a record trade surplus last year despite facing US tariffs, helping the country hit its annual growth target of “about 5 per cent”. Photo: Xinhua
China recorded a record trade surplus last year despite facing US tariffs, helping the country hit its annual growth target of “about 5 per cent”. 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

Rise of upper middle class reshapes China’s retail market, driving demand for quality goods and creating a battleground for global brands.

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China inflation

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

Beijing has been intensifying efforts to combat industrial overcapacity and fierce competition in key sectors, aiming to stabilise the economy and support growth.

A shopper browses shelves at a supermarket in Beijing. China’s consumer prices stayed flat in 2025, official data showed. Photo: AFP
A shopper browses shelves at a supermarket in Beijing. China’s consumer prices stayed flat in 2025, official data showed. Photo: AFP
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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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.

A major indicator of China’s factory activity returned to expansion in December, after eight straight months of contraction. Photo: AFP
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.

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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
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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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.

In October, China’s industrial profits fell 5.5 per cent from a year prior. Photo: AFP
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
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