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People walk during lunch hour in Central, Hong Kong. In the previous Year of the Horse in 2014, MPF members earned 2.2 per cent, while in 2002 they lost 0.4 per cent. Photo: Karma Lo

Banking & Finance

Can Hong Kong’s MPF members repeat record gains in Year of the Horse?

Volatility looms in the Year of the Horse, analysts forecast, after the Year of the Snake delivered estimated earnings of US$32 billion.

China puts another big bank under stricter watch – why now?

Fading US dollar trust threatens world economy, ex-IMF official Zhu Min warns

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China Economy

China’s Spring Festival box office faces plot twist after 2025 smashed records

Home-grown films lead the charge but fail to meet the phenomenal success of last year’s Ne Zha 2, which attracted record-breaking crowds.

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Moviegoers walked past posters for 2025 blockbusters Ne Zha 2 and Captain America: Brave New World at a cinema in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP
Moviegoers walked past posters for 2025 blockbusters Ne Zha 2 and Captain America: Brave New World at a cinema in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Photo: SCMP

China Economy

China’s gold rush: why families are doubling down on precious metals

Gold is becoming more popular in China ahead of the Lunar New Year, with households viewing the asset as a safety net amid an uncertain economy.

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China Economy

Japan out, Australia in? China’s tourists heading down under for Lunar New Year

Bookings projected to surge on new flights, flexible itineraries and ease of payment.

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Companies

Pop Mart balances boom and bust: can Labubu’s leap match Molly’s momentum?

As Labubu’s meteoric rise cools, Molly’s longevity highlights the challenge Pop Mart faces in turning hype into stable intellectual property.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Illustration: Brian Wang

China Economy

As Chinese provinces slash revenue outlook, analysts warn of debt control

Local governments seen curbing infrastructure spending as Beijing’s fiscal discipline pushes regions to prioritise social services and tech over large projects.

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China Economy

Chinese power line projects seek private capital in sign of infrastructure shift

Beijing is encouraging more private investment in a range of critical infrastructure projects, from railways to nuclear power plants.

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China Economy

China charges former AstraZeneca executive – a sign of the times?

Foreign drug makers face pressure in the Chinese market, from tighter regulatory oversight to growing local competition.

In January, AstraZeneca announced plans to invest US$15 billion in China, its second-largest market. Photo: Shutterstock

Economic Indicators

Gold rush backlash: why China is clamping down on ‘get rich’ promises

Regulators intervene to contain fallout after volatility in global prices sparks market turmoil at home.

Decorative items made of gold are displayed at a jewellery store in Beijing on January 28. Photo: EPA-EFE
Decorative items made of gold are displayed at a jewellery store in Beijing on January 28. Photo: EPA-EFE

China Economy

China overhauls CPI basket, with never-before-seen unveiling of its composition

Beijing’s five-year recalibration aims to better reflect consumption, as policymakers shift weight away from food and housing.

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Tech

China’s MiniMax releases AI model ‘designed for real-world productivity’

Company says it is ‘first frontier model … delivering on the promise of intelligence too cheap to meter’.

China Economy

Glimmer of hope? Why China’s marriage uptick could spark 2026 birth rebound

Double-digit jump in registration rate, boosted by policy and cultural tradition, offers modest upturn, but demographers are wary of weak fertility intentions.

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A couple participates in a group wedding in August, in China’s Guangdong province. Photo: Getty Images

Banking & Finance

Exclusive | Box office bust? The show may be over for another Hong Kong cinema

IFC Mall is reportedly looking at the big picture as it explores potential tenants to replace upscale movie theatre Palace IFC.

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Palace IFC and other Hong Kong cinemas face a shrinking audience. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Palace IFC and other Hong Kong cinemas face a shrinking audience. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Global Economy

Open Questions | Why Trump’s April trip to China may not deliver ‘grand bargain’: James Zimmerman

The American Chamber of Commerce in China chairman says this year’s expected Trump-Xi meetings can put countries on a ‘visionary’ path.

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China Economy

China to dismantle local power protectionism in push to electrify national grid

State Council directive eyes unified power market, curbing provincial fragmentation to boost green energy expansion and optimise resource flow.

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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
James David Spellman

Opinion | Why Asia’s sovereign wealth funds are rethinking US Treasuries

James David Spellman
Anthony Rowley

Macroscope | How robust domestic financial markets could ease era of AI uncertainty

Anthony Rowley
Chee Yik-wai

Opinion | China is leading in holistic AI development. Can the US catch up?

Chee Yik-wai
Imran Khalid

Opinion | New US-led minerals bloc renews pressure on Asia to pick sides

Imran Khalid
Luca Mattei

Opinion | Why China keeps fossil fuels central even as it ramps up green energy

Luca Mattei
Justin Diamond

Opinion | Why the US really fears Chinese ‘overcapacity’

Justin Diamond
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MULTIMEDIA
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Chinese tourists have a new favourite country this Lunar New Year

South Korea now tops the list of Lunar New Year destinations for Chinese travellers amid heightened tensions between China and the former top destination, Japan.
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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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TRENDING TOPICS
China trade
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China's economic recovery
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