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A view of the Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai’s Pudong district is seen through an installation on October 27. The city has its sights set on financial and developmental advancements in the coming years. Photo: AFP

China Economy

Shanghai unveils road map to rival world cities in finance, tech and innovation

Economic powerhouse has sights set on AI, advanced manufacturing and global financial services, reflecting a national 5-year plan’s first explicit financial-centre directive.

Hong Kong degree is ‘passport’ to jobs in the world’s third-largest art market

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

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China Economy

IMF raises China’s 2026 growth forecast to 4.5%, citing US ‘truce’ and stimulus

The fund predicts lower US tariffs and efforts to raise consumer spending may boost economy, though forecast short of last year’s growth.

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Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF’s managing director, delivers remarks at the IMF headquarters in Washington on April 17, 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE
Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF’s managing director, delivers remarks at the IMF headquarters in Washington on April 17, 2025. Photo: EPA-EFE

Business

Fancl distributor couple buys Lippo Centre office, shop in US$38.3 million deal

Purchase by the Japanese skincare brand’s distributor marks a 60 per cent cut from 2017 price as cash-rich local investors hunt for bargains.

China Economy

Baby bust: China births plunge 17% in 2025 to historic low as population shrinks

With Beijing having accelerated family-support policies and childcare subsidies, analysts warn that structural reforms are vital to arrest the deepening slide.

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Banking & Finance

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 Economy

Harbouring ambitions: China’s port giants make waves with record growth

Record container volumes drive ambitious expansions at Shanghai and Ningbo ports as Beijing bets on smart hubs and regional integration to weather global volatility.

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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.

Global Economy

China’s Davos sales pitch: stability, reliability and not being Trump

Vice-Premier He Lifeng is expected to pitch China as a reliable partner on Tuesday, contrasting Beijing’s stability with Trump’s unilateralism before US president’s address.

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A sign of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, on January 20, 2025. Photo: AFP

Economic Indicators

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

Banking & Finance

HKMA unveils 20-point road map to modernise Hong Kong’s trade finance ecosystem

Project CargoX aims to digitalise Hong Kong’s trade finance, expand SME lending and strengthen connectivity with mainland China and Asean.

China Business

China’s drug and medical device sector fuels growth with record licensing deals

China’s pharmaceutical industry surges on ageing demand and global expansion, with revenue forecast to top US$2.1 trillion by 2030.

Banking & Finance

China’s advances in AI fuel tech stock boom, help it shake off economic malaise

China’s rise recasts the country from a low-cost base to a credible US tech challenger, just as global capital hunts for next growth engine.

Thanks to fresh progress in sectors from flying cars to robotics, Chinese tech shares have begun the new year with a bang. Photo: AP

China Business

Chinese electric vehicle makers eye Western markets as trade barriers fall

Canada will drop the 100 per cent punitive tariffs on Chinese-made pure electric cars while setting an annual import quota of 49,000 units.

Ora cars from Great Wall Motor are parked in a parking lot at JadeWeserPort in Germany. Photo: dpa
Ora cars from Great Wall Motor are parked in a parking lot at JadeWeserPort in Germany. Photo: dpa

Global Economy

Can China’s cosmetics brands rival K-beauty and refashion global markets?

Once the top export market for South Korean cosmetics, Chinese firms lead at home and have made headway overseas – but gaps remain.

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China Economy

In wake of Trump post, calls mount for China to impose rate cap on online loans

Beijing tightened oversight of China’s online lending market last year, but many are still borrowing, especially those of younger generations.

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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
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
Ningrong Liu

Opinion | China’s economy is struggling – even as its hi-tech sector booms

Ningrong Liu
Jun Yu Chan

Opinion | From tea to TikTok: the middleman’s return is reshaping China trade

Jun Yu Chan
Michael Han

Opinion | China’s new property pivot is coming. Expect full stabilisation ahead

Michael Han
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MULTIMEDIA
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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
China trade
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China's economic recovery
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