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Economy /

Policy

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Regulation
Financial regulation
People’s Bank of China (PBOC)
Yuan
Currencies
China trade
China GDP
China's population
China manufacturing
Workers sew garments at a textile factory in Qingdao, in eastern China’s Shandong province on December 15, 2025. As provinces raise the minimum wage, low-paid workers will see the most benefit. Photo: AFP
China jobs

‘Invest in people’: China raises minimum wages to boost household spending

Most provinces increased pay for low-paid jobs in 2025, part of nationwide efforts to tackle deflationary pressures.

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China GDP

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

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China jobs

China’s youth jobless rate edges down – but labour market strains persist

Artificial intelligence

Beijing outlines tech push with focus on AI, 6G, humanoid robots

Tech ministry’s plan targets breakthroughs in AI models, agents and chips, as well as AI’s spread into diverse sectors.

A child interacts with a robot at a store in Shenzhen, in south China’s Guangdong province, on January 16, 2026. Photo: Xinhua
A child interacts with a robot at a store in Shenzhen, in south China’s Guangdong province, on January 16, 2026. Photo: Xinhua
China trade

China’s zero-tariff gambit: why Beijing is slashing duties as Trump raises them

China’s average effective tariff rate estimated to be as low as 1.3 per cent in 2025, helping it secure raw materials and build soft power.

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China consumption

China’s consumers refuse to open their wallets. Is ‘luxury-phobia’ the problem?

Chinese households are not splashing out on luxury goods partly because they feel ‘stigmatised’ for doing so, scholar argues.

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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 property

Mainland China’s home prices extend slide, deepening property downturn

New home prices fall again in December, with declines across most cities, as second-hand values plunge year on year.

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China stock market

China pushes slow bull run with tightened margin financing rules

‘Investors should reduce their leverage levels to guard against the risk of volatility,’ BOC International’s Wang Jun says.

Banking & finance

China to cut relending rates, widen credit support for private sector and tech

Beyond the central bank’s rate cuts that take effect Monday, authorities will work to lower the minimum down payment for commercial property purchase loans to 30 per cent.

Paramilitary police officers stand guard in front of the headquarters of the People’s Bank of China in Beijing. Photo: Reuters
China consumption

Why mortgage subsidies could be key to getting China’s consumers spending

Beijing is striving to boost household spending amid an economic slowdown. But first it needs to stabilise the housing market, scholars say.

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Cranes tower above an unfinished apartment building in Beijing. Photo: Getty Images
Cranes tower above an unfinished apartment building in Beijing. Photo: Getty Images
China manufacturing

China vows more support for ‘little giant’-like firms amid self-sufficiency push

Beijing also aims to collect more industrial data and push manufacturers to embrace digital solutions.

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China deflation

China’s solar firms, once deemed too competitive, now face monopoly accusations

Major producers are suspected of using Beijing’s anti-involution campaign as an excuse to rig prices.

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China’s private sector

China to probe food delivery platforms under anti-monopoly law

State Council announcement cites ‘excessive subsidies’ and ‘price wars’ in document unveiling market assessment for online delivery services.

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China has announced an antitrust investigation into its food delivery platforms. Photo: Shutterstock
China deflation

China discourages trend-chasing among officials, warning of ‘involution’

Communist Party newspaper says authorities should avoid ‘policy bandwagons’ that could lead to economic imbalances, urging plans based on local strengths.

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Intense competition within several of China’s industries has driven down prices and led to an excess of production capacity. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Intense competition within several of China’s industries has driven down prices and led to an excess of production capacity. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
Banking & finance

China signals flexible use of monetary tools in 2026 to support 5-year plan

Boosting domestic demand, addressing debt risks and promoting yuan’s international use also priorities for coming year.

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China manufacturing

Shanghai unveils US$10 billion investment spree as US-China tech race heats up

Shanghai announces 50 new projects across an array of hi-tech industries as China’s cities heed Beijing’s call to double down on innovation.

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Infrastructure

China plans 19% high-speed rail expansion by 2030 amid global dominance

Beijing aims to expand the nation’s entire rail network to about 180,000km as part of 2026-2030 infrastructure push, boosting connectivity nationwide.

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A high-speed train leaves the Yichang North Railway Station in China’s Hubei province on December 26. Photo: Xinhua
A high-speed train leaves the Yichang North Railway Station in China’s Hubei province on December 26. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

Open Questions | ‘Embrace the moment’: on China, Daniel Kritenbrink puts pragmatism first

Former US ambassador to Vietnam says a return to the past for US-China relations is unrealistic, but both economic powers benefit from ties.

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China energy security

China vows to ramp up west-to-east power as AI, hi-tech industries fuel demand

New targets include a major expansion of renewable energy and more electricity funnelled to eastern regions.

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China's economic recovery

No ‘piecemeal’ steps: Chinese journal urges more support for property sector

Top Communist Party journal calls on officials to roll out a stronger policy package in one go, rather than following ‘piecemeal-style’ approach.

People pass by half-finished buildings in Beijing. China’s property market has been mired in a downturn since 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE
China inflation

China must take action to avoid Japan-style deflation spiral, scholars warn

Unless Beijing introduces more forceful policies, consumers could get locked into a mindset that is ‘nearly impossible to break’, scholars say.

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New cars are advertised for sale at deep discounts at a showroom in Chengdu, southwest China. Photo: Reuters
New cars are advertised for sale at deep discounts at a showroom in Chengdu, southwest China. Photo: Reuters
China manufacturing

China’s next decade to cement status as hi-tech manufacturing power: reports

The coming 10 years will see significant advances in cutting-edge sectors, reinforcing industrial dominance, according to new reports.

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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 consumption

China rolls out trade-in funding for 2026 as campaign to spur spending continues

The programme, which has helped stimulate consumption increases, will continue to subsidise purchases of big-ticket goods and refurbishments.

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China’s consumer goods trade-in programme subsidises, among others, the purchases of big-ticket items such as automobiles and home appliances. Photo: Getty Images
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