Overdue payments are said to be “all too common in the construction industry” as China copes with an extended property market downturn. Photo: Xinhua
China's economic recovery

China’s private firms fed up with crippling payment delays, ‘red-tape excuses’

19 Mar 2024 - 9:07AM

As Beijing tries to invigorate the economy, on-the-ground reactions suggest more government spending is needed to stabilise demand and restore shattered confidence in hard-hit industries.

Overdue payments are said to be “all too common in the construction industry” as China copes with an extended property market downturn. Photo: Xinhua

China’s private firms fed up with crippling payment delays, ‘red-tape excuses’

As Beijing tries to invigorate the economy, on-the-ground reactions suggest more government spending is needed to stabilise demand and restore shattered confidence in hard-hit industries.

19 Mar 2024 - 9:07AM

Explainer | Rebound or false alarm? 6 takeaways from China’s January-February economic data

Analysts expect China’s economic recovery to continue over the coming months thanks to the increase in policy support following the release of combined data for January and February on Monday.

19 Mar 2024 - 12:22AM

China boosts germ plasma resources by 530,000 during largest-ever survey

China’s largest-ever survey of germ plasma resources expanded the variety of crop germ plasma resources in the national resource repository by 21.4 per cent amid Beijing’s increasing focus on food security.

18 Mar 2024 - 8:30PM
China’s retail sales rose by 5.5 per cent in January and February, year on year. Photo: Bloomberg

Explainer | Rebound or false alarm? 6 takeaways from China’s January-February economic data

Analysts expect China’s economic recovery to continue over the coming months thanks to the increase in policy support following the release of combined data for January and February on Monday.

19 Mar 2024 - 12:22AM
China food security

China boosts germ plasma resources by 530,000 during largest-ever survey

China’s largest-ever survey of germ plasma resources expanded the variety of crop germ plasma resources in the national resource repository by 21.4 per cent amid Beijing’s increasing focus on food security.

China’s largest-ever survey of germ plasma resources expanded the variety of crop germ plasma resources in the national resource repository by 21.4 per cent amid Beijing’s increasing focus on food security.

18 Mar 2024 - 8:30PM
China travel

China international flights finally starting to rebound as border entries eased

Beijing has relaxed visa rules to attract more visitors in recent months, in line with intentions to stimulate a national economy beset by a property crunch, employment hurdles and hesitant consumer spending.

Beijing has relaxed visa rules to attract more visitors in recent months, in line with intentions to stimulate a national economy beset by a property crunch, employment hurdles and hesitant consumer spending.

18 Mar 2024 - 6:34PM

China’s economic recovery on track at start of 2024, but can it be sustained?

China’s manufacturing and consumption gradually rebounded in the first two months of the year, and investment growth and industrial output beat market expectations, but the property market continued to drag.

18 Mar 2024 - 6:58PM
China’s economic recovery on track at start of 2024, but can it be sustained?

China ends 9-year decline in new marriages in 2023, but divorces also climb

China registers 7.68 million newlywed couples, up 845,000 from the previous year in what analysts say is sign of post-pandemic wedding rebound.

18 Mar 2024 - 9:17AM
China ends 9-year decline in new marriages in 2023, but divorces also climb

China international flights finally starting to rebound as border entries eased

Beijing has relaxed visa rules to attract more visitors in recent months, in line with intentions to stimulate a national economy beset by a property crunch, employment hurdles and hesitant consumer spending.

18 Mar 2024 - 6:34PM

China’s economic recovery on track at start of 2024, but can it be sustained?

China’s manufacturing and consumption gradually rebounded in the first two months of the year, and investment growth and industrial output beat market expectations, but the property market continued to drag.

18 Mar 2024 - 6:58PM

China ends 9-year decline in new marriages in 2023, but divorces also climb

China registers 7.68 million newlywed couples, up 845,000 from the previous year in what analysts say is sign of post-pandemic wedding rebound.

18 Mar 2024 - 9:17AM

Scientists warn restrictions risk battering Beijing’s ‘productive forces’ plan

China’s minister of science and technology vows that steps will be taken to free young talent from tedious tasks that impede innovation, in line with President Xi Jinping’s fresh push for tech self-sufficiency.

China’s minister of science and technology vows that steps will be taken to free young talent from tedious tasks that impede innovation, in line with President Xi Jinping’s fresh push for tech self-sufficiency.

12 Mar 2024 - 9:37AM

China’s northern gate seeks to avoid ‘hollowing out’ amid population exodus

China’s northern Inner Mongolia autonomous region, which borders Russia and Mongolia, is concerned about so-called hollowing out amid an exodus of young people impacting economic development and national security.

China’s northern Inner Mongolia autonomous region, which borders Russia and Mongolia, is concerned about so-called hollowing out amid an exodus of young people impacting economic development and national security.

12 Mar 2024 - 12:59PM

AI + computing power + consumers: Zhuhai’s formula to spur economic growth

Mayor Huang Zhihao says the centre aims to become a ‘digital city’ and forge closer links with Hong Kong and Macau.

Mayor Huang Zhihao says the centre aims to become a ‘digital city’ and forge closer links with Hong Kong and Macau.

11 Mar 2024 - 9:28AM

Scientists warn restrictions risk battering Beijing’s ‘productive forces’ plan

China’s minister of science and technology vows that steps will be taken to free young talent from tedious tasks that impede innovation, in line with President Xi Jinping’s fresh push for tech self-sufficiency.

China’s minister of science and technology vows that steps will be taken to free young talent from tedious tasks that impede innovation, in line with President Xi Jinping’s fresh push for tech self-sufficiency.

12 Mar 2024 - 9:37AM

China’s northern gate seeks to avoid ‘hollowing out’ amid population exodus

China’s northern Inner Mongolia autonomous region, which borders Russia and Mongolia, is concerned about so-called hollowing out amid an exodus of young people impacting economic development and national security.

China’s northern Inner Mongolia autonomous region, which borders Russia and Mongolia, is concerned about so-called hollowing out amid an exodus of young people impacting economic development and national security.

12 Mar 2024 - 12:59PM

AI + computing power + consumers: Zhuhai’s formula to spur economic growth

Mayor Huang Zhihao says the centre aims to become a ‘digital city’ and forge closer links with Hong Kong and Macau.

Mayor Huang Zhihao says the centre aims to become a ‘digital city’ and forge closer links with Hong Kong and Macau.

11 Mar 2024 - 9:28AM
Economy | OPINION
Workers put up a solar panel on the rooftop on the outskirts of New Delhi, India on February 20. Photo: AP

Opinion | Asian economies must go green to keep their competitive edge

Countries such as Bangladesh and Cambodia may face hurdles when trading with developed nations due to new cross-border environmental regulations. Asian markets can embrace sustainability through artificial intelligence, clean energy investments and more collaboration among industries.

24 minutes ago

Opinion | Why China is playing 5D chess in its pursuit of economic revival

China’s new focus on innovation-driven development offers hope for sustainable development and avoiding the middle-income trap. A technological breakthrough in advanced sectors could be the decisive driver in transforming the country’s future and keeping pace with the United States.

China’s new focus on innovation-driven development offers hope for sustainable development and avoiding the middle-income trap. A technological breakthrough in advanced sectors could be the decisive driver in transforming the country’s future and keeping pace with the United States.

18 Mar 2024 - 8:28AM
Why China is playing 5D chess in its pursuit of economic revival

Opinion | 2 things China must focus on to hit its economic growth target

To achieve its economic growth target, Beijing will have to lift consumption and hi-tech exports. China’s unique circumstances mean it requires more stimulus than previously, including the 4 trillion yuan used to combat the 2008 global financial crisis.

To achieve its economic growth target, Beijing will have to lift consumption and hi-tech exports. China’s unique circumstances mean it requires more stimulus than previously, including the 4 trillion yuan used to combat the 2008 global financial crisis.

17 Mar 2024 - 5:22PM
2 things China must focus on to hit its economic growth target

Economy | Explore more