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The Pinglu Canal, which stretches 134km (83 miles) across China’s southwestern Guangxi region, is expected to boost trade ties between China and Southeast Asia. Photo: Xinhua

China Economy

China close to opening US$10 billion canal linking heartlands to Southeast Asia

The vast waterway in China’s southwestern Guangxi region is set to open before the end of 2026, according to state media reports.

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Beyond borders: Beijing equips Chinese firms for global stage amid trade jitters

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‘Epoch-making’: Xi Jinping urges home-grown AI breakthroughs – but flags risks

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Tech Trends

Chinese tech giants Tencent and Baidu join fight for Spring Festival spotlight

The two companies launch digital red packet campaigns following tie-up moves by ByteDance and Alibaba with CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala.

The Spring Festival Gala has become one of the most important promotional platforms for tech giants. Photo: Handout
The Spring Festival Gala has become one of the most important promotional platforms for tech giants. Photo: Handout

Big Tech

China’s Eyou opens world’s first automated line for humanoid robot joints

Manufacturer adds line in anticipation of surge in global demand for humanoid robots, with one estimate projecting 100,000 shipments by 2027.

China Business

China needs silver and young spenders, plus policy support, for growth: HSBC

Longest Lunar New Year holiday ever will provide a tailwind, but growth could falter without more supportive measures, analysts say.

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Global Economy

In a turbulent world, funding Asia’s critical infrastructure a ‘duty’: AIIB

New president says private capital and international cooperation essential to funding infrastructure projects across continent.

Zou Jiayi speaking at a panel during the 19th Asian Financial Forum at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on January 26. She is China’s former vice-minister of finance, and became AIIB president on January 16. Photo: SCMP
Zou Jiayi speaking at a panel during the 19th Asian Financial Forum at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on January 26. She is China’s former vice-minister of finance, and became AIIB president on January 16. Photo: SCMP

China Economy

Gold surge has analysts eyeing new highs after US$5,100 record

Safe-haven demand spikes amid de-dollarisation fears and supply-chain tensions, as gold buyers seek stability against growing macro uncertainties.

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China Economy

Exclusive | Maker of China’s C919 airliner set to ramp up production: sources

With 8 of the 15 planes made last year delivered to customers in November and December, a source said supply chain snags seem to be diminishing.

Tech Trends

Open Questions | Jeffrey Ding on why diffusion, not innovation, is the secret to AI success

Professor says a ‘diffusion marathon’, where AI is gradually embedded in an economy over decades, will determine the winner of US-China tech war.

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Illustration: Henry Wong

China Business

Chinese carmaker BYD chases 24% export growth with new models, more showrooms

Shenzhen-based company expects to sell 1.3 million cars this year outside mainland China.

Cars unloaded from the ship BYD Changzhou await further movement at a port in Argentina on January 19, 2026. Photo: AFP
Cars unloaded from the ship BYD Changzhou await further movement at a port in Argentina on January 19, 2026. Photo: AFP

China Economy

‘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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Banking & Finance

Exclusive | Singapore Exchange hints at deeper ties with HKEX: can yuan business open doors?

SGX CEO also hopes to launch an international board with Nasdaq later this year and expand cross-trading schemes with mainland China.

China Economy

‘Loneliness economy’: how China is adapting to a rapid rise in solo living

The viral success of check-in app Are You Dead? has exposed the vast demand for services catering to China’s rapidly growing single population.

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A user checks in using the viral app Are You Dead?, also known as Demumu in English, which surged to the top of the paid app chart on Apple’s AppStore in China last week. Photo: Reuters

Tech Trends

Next level: why China’s game makers are quietly bankrolling generative AI

From scripts and storylines to customer service and user-generated worlds, developers are deploying LLM tools across the gaming pipeline.

Peacekeeper Elite, also known as Game for Peace, by Tencent Holdings. Photo: Handout
Peacekeeper Elite, also known as Game for Peace, by Tencent Holdings. Photo: Handout

China Economy

Foreigners flock to China’s ice and snow sights, with 130% inbound tourism spike

Freezing temperatures will not dampen the spirits of snow seekers, as China cements its reputation as the world’s ultimate winter playground.

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China Business

From labs to listings: capital markets are the next battleground in the AI race

Stock exchanges have become another barometer in the US-China tech rivalry as markets assess a wave of start-ups in real time.

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Global Economy

Why America’s brute-force effort on rare earths may not work against China

China spent decades carving out a commanding lead in the rare earth realm. Now the US wants its old piece of the supply chain back – is it still within reach?

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Illustration: Henry Wong

Global Economy

Chinese ‘vertical dramas’ are booming in America. Should Hollywood be worried?

Chinese platforms hosting bite-size soap operas about werewolves and mafia dons are drawing big audiences – and shaking up the streaming market.

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China Economy

As megacities slow, China’s smaller counties lead as new consumer hotspots

Survey last year found that nearly 80 per cent of consumers in China’s third- and fourth-tier cities were optimistic about the economy.

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China Economy

China rises up ‘elite quality’ league table as AI investment booms

China ranked 19th in the latest Elite Quality Index, which assesses whether national elites create sustainable value for their countries.

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Visitors watch humanoid robots fight at the Unitree Robotics booth during the World Robot Conference in Beijing. China has invested heavily in artificial intelligence, robotics and other emerging sectors in recent years. Photo: Reuters
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OPINION
Wang Wen

Opinion | China has Trump 2.0 to thank for emerging stronger in tech and trade

Wang Wen
Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | Why Europe struggles to stand up to Trump

Nicholas Spiro
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James David Spellman

Opinion | How generational wealth transfer will reshape China’s economy

James David Spellman
Andy Xie

Opinion | China’s focus is on stability as the US rocks the global boat

Andy Xie
Albert Bakhtizin

Opinion | Why the US really wants Venezuela’s oil

Albert Bakhtizin
Anthony Rowley

Macroscope | Multilateral institutions’ critique of Trump’s actions is too muted

Anthony Rowley
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

With Maduro out, are Chinese investments in Venezuela at risk?

US move calls into question China’s future financial commitments in Latin American country, potentially hurting Beijing’s regional strategy.
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Shares in Baby Shark creator soar on IPO debut

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China’s ‘Goddess of Wealth’ jailed for over 11 years by UK court

China cryptoqueen jailed for more than 11 years by UK court over US$6.4 billion bitcoin fraud
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US-China soybean row leaves farmers caught in the middle

US-China soybean row leaves farmers caught in the middle
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TRENDING TOPICS
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