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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
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China’s yuan has broken through the psychologically important level of 7 per US dollar for the first time in years, as confidence in US dollar assets weakens. Photo: AFP
Yuan

China lets yuan break through 7 per US dollar mark as dollar jitters grow

China’s central bank set the yuan fixing rate at under 7 per US dollar for the first time since mid-2023 as concerns over dollar assets mount.

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China GDP

Exclusive | China to set GDP growth range, providing policy flexibility in 2026: sources

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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

CSRC signals it wants a slower but longer stock market rally after trading volumes and margin financing hit record highs.

Regulators are moving to cool pockets of overheating in the A-share market following a strong start to 2026. Photo: AFP
Regulators are moving to cool pockets of overheating in the A-share market following a strong start to 2026. Photo: AFP
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 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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The success of US retailer Sam’s Club in China is attributed to its “premium-value” offering sought by upper-middle-income consumers. Photo: Eugene Lee
The success of US retailer Sam’s Club in China is attributed to its “premium-value” offering sought by upper-middle-income consumers. Photo: Eugene Lee
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.

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.

Individuals selling homes within two years of purchase will be subject to a VAT rate of 3 per cent, down from 5 per cent, from January 1. Photo: Getty Images
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
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.

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’s retail sales, a key gauge of consumer spending, grew by only 1.3 per cent in November, year on year, falling well short of consensus expectations. Photo: Getty Images
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
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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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.

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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.

Global business sentiment towards China improved in the third quarter of 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Global business sentiment towards China improved in the third quarter of 2025. Photo: Xinhua
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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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’s purchasing managers’ index, based on surveys of supply chain managers, is a major monthly gauge of economic activity. Photo: Xinhua
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
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.

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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This photo taken on September 26 shows the autumn campus job fair for Shanghai university graduates at the Minhang campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in east China’s Shanghai. Photo: Xinhua
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