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A worker fills up a car at a petrol station in eastern China’s Shandong province. Photo: Getty Images

China Economy

China’s factory-gate prices rise for first time in 3 years as Iran war bites

The producer price index rose by 0.5 per cent in March, the first increase since 2022, as soaring global commodity prices affected Chinese firms.

Yuan tokens and oil-linked fees? China experts propose ‘innovative’ Hormuz tolls

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Conflict catalyst: China’s yuan settlements hit record amid Middle East tensions

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Science

Open Questions | China always a connector, never a coloniser, author says

Sheng-Wei Wang says China’s Belt and Road Initiative echoes the voyages of 15th century Chinese explorer Zheng He, who promoted trade but never stayed.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Global Economy

As Iran war jolts global oil, can China’s energy storage tech blunt the impact?

Strong overseas demand, fuelled by the rise of AI-powered systems, could continue amid Iran war pressures, analysts say.

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China Economy

China strengthens oversight of state-owned assets overseas amid global tensions

A new department will guide state-owned enterprises expanding overseas, as China’s firms look outwards for growth opportunities.

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China Economy

More Chinese banks claw back bonuses, cut salaries despite mixed profit recovery

Some lenders are also deferring bonuses and cutting headcount as they tighten their purse strings.

More Chinese banks are detailing how much they clawed back in staff bonuses last year. Photo: AFP
More Chinese banks are detailing how much they clawed back in staff bonuses last year. Photo: AFP

China Business

Yiwu market owner eyes Hong Kong IPO to support overseas expansion

Hong Kong listing plan comes after the company reported net profit of 4.2 billion yuan for 2025, up 36.8 per cent from a year earlier.

Global Economy

Global renewable-energy pivot amps up as Hormuz uncertainty shatters security

IEA warns that current oil and gas shocks surpass past levels, forcing import-dependent nations to prioritise solar and wind for domestic energy sovereignty.

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Global Economy

China powers up major Southeast Asian solar project amid Iran war shock

The installation boasts more than two million solar panels and comes online as global fossil fuels face unprecedented disruption.

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China General Nuclear Power Group’s solar project in Laos. Photo: CCTV

Big Tech

AI fuels global trade growth as China-US flows shift, McKinsey finds

Data-centre expansion and AI investment push global trade ahead of economic growth, consultancy says.

AI-linked goods accounted for about one-third of global trade growth last year, according to McKinsey. Photo: AFP
AI-linked goods accounted for about one-third of global trade growth last year, according to McKinsey. Photo: AFP

China Economy

Xi Jinping backs services sector to power China’s next growth phase

Beijing is counting on services to rebalance growth as it faces economic headwinds and demographic challenges.

China Economy

US-China ties are critical in dangerous new ‘might-is-right world order’: Dalio

Billionaire investor urges Chinese and US elites to ‘rise above ourselves’ and safeguard global well-being amid a changing world order.

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China Economy

As France pulls gold from the US, how can China become the next global gold hub?

Federal Reserve is no longer seen as a ‘safe’ place for nations to store gold as Trump’s unpredictability spooks the world’s central banks.

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Five-tael (190 grams or 6.65 ounces) gold bars are seen at a jewellery store in Hong Kong as China is urged to become a global gold hub as Trump’s instability spooks central banks worldwide. Photo: Reuters

China Economy

China enforces new supply chain security rules as Iran war shakes markets

The new regulation makes protecting China’s supply chains a national security issue – and allows Beijing to punish any entities that threaten them.

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China is taking steps to shore up its supply chains amid rising global uncertainty unleashed by the US-Israel war on Iran. Photo: AP
China is taking steps to shore up its supply chains amid rising global uncertainty unleashed by the US-Israel war on Iran. Photo: AP

China Economy

Explaining China’s supply chain security rules

SCMP Plus annotates 18-point regulation issued by China’s State Council providing a legal basis for the country to respond to sanctions and export controls that threaten supply chains.

China Business

Chinese carmakers bet on solid-state batteries to drive next EV phase

Carmakers push next-generation battery tech as they chase longer range and improved safety, despite high costs.

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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
Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | Why investors should beware China safe haven narrative amid Iran crisis

Nicholas Spiro
Göktuğ Çalışkan

Opinion | Beijing’s supply-chain hedging strategy can help African food security

Göktuğ Çalışkan
Qiyuan Xu,Panpan Yang

Opinion | How AI and geopolitical rivalry are breaking economic orthodoxy

Qiyuan Xu
Panpan Yang
Nicholas Spiro

The View | Quirks of Asia’s energy markets work to the benefit of data centres

Nicholas Spiro
Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | Asian central banks largely powerless in face of Iran war energy shock

Nicholas Spiro
David Tingxuan Zhang

Opinion | Reinflate the property sector? No, China wants an ambitious redesign

David Tingxuan Zhang
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

Small hobby businesses hit by rising costs from Iran war

Thai figurine studio founder calls for an urgent lifeline to help small businesses stay afloat
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Video

Iran war sparks fuel crises in parts of Asia

Clients queue at a gas station amid rising petrol prices in Karachi on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP)
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German leader greeted by robot dance troupe in China

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Video

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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TRENDING TOPICS
China trade
China manufacturing
China's economic recovery
China inflation
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MOST POPULAR
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China’s yuan may be going global faster than Western data suggests, analysts say

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Australia’s 180-degree shift from 5 years ago: China in favour; US out

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As France pulls gold from the US, how can China become the next global gold hub?

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China builds record-breaking underwater tunnels to unite eastern, western hubs

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Open Questions | Andrew Tilton on China’s economic trajectory in wake of Iran war

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