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Volkswagen workers seen at an assembly line in the German carmaker’s plant in Qingdao, in eastern Shandong province, on December 23, 2025. Photo: AFP

China Business

Major foreign carmakers set to stage a comeback in China this year: analysts

Foreign carmakers ‘will fight back because they will have the same products’ as their Chinese rivals, consultancy head Denis Depoux says.

Exclusive | China to set GDP growth range, providing policy flexibility in 2026: sources

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China’s private sector increases presence among top 100 listed firms

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China Economy

China’s massive project to funnel clean energy from Tibet enters new phase

The ultra-high-voltage power lines will connect Tibet’s vast hydropower, solar and wind projects with factory hubs in southern China.

Construction workers build a power transmission line in China’s central Anhui province. China is ramping up investment in its power grid amid surging demand from the country’s artificial intelligence industry. Photo: Xinhua
Construction workers build a power transmission line in China’s central Anhui province. China is ramping up investment in its power grid amid surging demand from the country’s artificial intelligence industry. Photo: Xinhua

Tech Trends

China’s ‘infrastructure first’ effort a major edge in AI arms race: Davos panel

A rapid energy buildout and strategic data centre expansion give China unique advantages in developing its AI industry.

China Economy

China’s youth jobless rate edges down – but labour market strains persist

Beijing vows to prioritise job market in 2026, the first year of new five-year plan.

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China Economy

‘No choice’: China seen eyeing consumption as a route out of export reliance

Beijing’s policies seen putting income growth above GDP, with investments in social welfare, future tech and advanced manufacturing to spur internal demand.

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Zhu Min, a former deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China, spoke during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Photo: SCMPOST
Zhu Min, a former deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China, spoke during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday. Photo: SCMPOST

Global Economy

‘Not sustainable’: China central bank adviser flags US debt risk

As concerns mount over America’s ballooning debt, one of Beijing’s economic advisers warns fiscal discipline may not be on cards.

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Global Economy

Chips, soybeans, tariffs: what’s on tap for US-China talks before a Trump visit?

Analysts expect any pre-summit talks to focus on deliverables such as easing semiconductor curbs and boosting agricultural sales, setting the stage for Xi and Trump.

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Global Economy

US losing out to China with ‘onslaught’ on cutting-edge research: Nobel laureate

America risks losing the tech race to China unless it elects a government more supportive of scientific research, Nobel-winning economist says.

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Washington has suspended or cancelled more than 7,800 research grants since US President Donald Trump’s return to office, Nature reported on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Tech War

AI shaping world’s biggest infrastructure buildout: Nvidia CEO

Each country should build their own AI system, incorporating its own language and culture into the AI models, Huang says at the WEF in Davos.

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Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang speaks at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang speaks at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Policy

Shanghai to open ‘free-to-fly’ zones covering 46% of city for consumer drones

From February 1, consumer drones will be allowed to fly in designated airspace under new rules to boost the city’s low-altitude economy.

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China Economy

How China is rethinking export-led growth as global trade walls rise

Protectionism is forcing a shift towards balancing exports with outbound investment, analysts say.

Policy

Beijing outlines tech push with focus on AI, 6G, humanoid robots

Tech ministry’s plan targets breakthroughs in AI models, agents and chips, as well as AI’s spread into diverse sectors.

A child interacts with a robot at a store in Shenzhen, in south China’s Guangdong province, on January 16, 2026. Photo: Xinhua

China Economy

China should leverage buying power to boost yuan’s use, former PBOC adviser says

With the yuan’s fixing at fresh 2023 highs and US dollar uncertainty rising under Trump, Beijing is urged to expand yuan-settled imports to internationalise its currency.

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A former adviser to China’s central bank said Beijing should leverage the nation’s purchasing power to boost imports settled in yuan. Photo: AFP
A former adviser to China’s central bank said Beijing should leverage the nation’s purchasing power to boost imports settled in yuan. Photo: AFP

China Economy

China has tools to step up trade curbs on Japan amid tensions: Morgan Stanley

But Beijing is likely to conclude that further action would be counterproductive, according to the investment bank.

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China Economy

China’s zero-tariff gambit: why Beijing is slashing duties as Trump raises them

China’s average effective tariff rate estimated to be as low as 1.3 per cent in 2025, helping it secure raw materials and build soft power.

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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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Exclusive | European test pilots put China’s C919 airliner through paces in Shanghai

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Canada, China hit reset button on relations with tariff agreement

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A Chinese tech hub eyes 3- to 7-nanometre chip breakthroughs to beat US curbs

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China dumps more US debt, buys other assets as Trump targets Powell

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US losing out to China with ‘onslaught’ on cutting-edge research: Nobel laureate

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