-

Economy

Hong Kong Economy
China Economy
Global Economy
Economic Indicators
Policy
China Future Tech
Gold bricks displayed at Hong Kong Gold Exchange. Photo: Edmond So

Commodities

Explainer | Why Hong Kong’s gold ambitions run through Shanghai

As Hong Kong and Shanghai deepen cooperation in the gold market, officials are hailing the agreement as ‘the dawn of a new chapter’.

Xpeng targets overseas sales surge in 2026 as China EV battle goes global

China’s manufacturing powerhouse cuts 2026 GDP growth target after missing mark

videocam

China Economy

China close to opening US$10 billion canal linking heartlands to Southeast Asia

The vast waterway in China’s southwestern Guangxi region is set to open before the end of 2026, according to state media reports.

13
The Pinglu Canal, which stretches 134km (83 miles) across China’s southwestern Guangxi region, is expected to boost trade ties between China and Southeast Asia. Photo: Xinhua
The Pinglu Canal, which stretches 134km (83 miles) across China’s southwestern Guangxi region, is expected to boost trade ties between China and Southeast Asia. Photo: Xinhua

Global Economy

Beyond borders: Beijing equips Chinese firms for global stage amid trade jitters

Ministry of Commerce unveils new resource to help companies navigate the dos and don’ts of complex international markets, and policies will be rolled out appropriately.

videocam

China Economy

‘Epoch-making’: Xi Jinping urges home-grown AI breakthroughs – but flags risks

The Chinese leader says emerging technologies bring huge opportunities, while warning officials against blind investment.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Tech Trends

Chinese tech giants Tencent and Baidu join fight for Spring Festival spotlight

The two companies launch digital red packet campaigns following tie-up moves by ByteDance and Alibaba with CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala.

The Spring Festival Gala has become one of the most important promotional platforms for tech giants. Photo: Handout
The Spring Festival Gala has become one of the most important promotional platforms for tech giants. Photo: Handout

Big Tech

China’s Eyou opens world’s first automated line for humanoid robot joints

Manufacturer adds line in anticipation of surge in global demand for humanoid robots, with one estimate projecting 100,000 shipments by 2027.

China Business

China needs silver and young spenders, plus policy support, for growth: HSBC

Longest Lunar New Year holiday ever will provide a tailwind, but growth could falter without more supportive measures, analysts say.

Global Economy

In a turbulent world, funding Asia’s critical infrastructure a ‘duty’: AIIB

New president says private capital and international cooperation essential to funding infrastructure projects across continent.

Zou Jiayi speaking at a panel during the 19th Asian Financial Forum at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on January 26. She is China’s former vice-minister of finance, and became AIIB president on January 16. Photo: SCMP

China Economy

Gold surge has analysts eyeing new highs after US$5,100 record

Safe-haven demand spikes amid de-dollarisation fears and supply-chain tensions, as gold buyers seek stability against growing macro uncertainties.

videocam
Analysts expect the price of gold to continue climbing this year, building on a safe-haven surge. Photo: AFP
Analysts expect the price of gold to continue climbing this year, building on a safe-haven surge. Photo: AFP

China Economy

Exclusive | Maker of China’s C919 airliner set to ramp up production: sources

With 8 of the 15 planes made last year delivered to customers in November and December, a source said supply chain snags seem to be diminishing.

Tech Trends

Open Questions | Jeffrey Ding on why diffusion, not innovation, is the secret to AI success

Professor says a ‘diffusion marathon’, where AI is gradually embedded in an economy over decades, will determine the winner of US-China tech war.

videocam

China Business

Chinese carmaker BYD chases 24% export growth with new models, more showrooms

Shenzhen-based company expects to sell 1.3 million cars this year outside mainland China.

Cars unloaded from the ship BYD Changzhou await further movement at a port in Argentina on January 19, 2026. Photo: AFP

China Economy

‘Invest in people’: China raises minimum wages to boost household spending

Most provinces increased pay for low-paid jobs in 2025, part of nationwide efforts to tackle deflationary pressures.

videocam
11
Workers sew garments at a textile factory in Qingdao, in eastern China’s Shandong province on December 15, 2025. As provinces raise the minimum wage, low-paid workers will see the most benefit. Photo: AFP
Workers sew garments at a textile factory in Qingdao, in eastern China’s Shandong province on December 15, 2025. As provinces raise the minimum wage, low-paid workers will see the most benefit. Photo: AFP

Banking & Finance

Exclusive | Singapore Exchange hints at deeper ties with HKEX: can yuan business open doors?

SGX CEO also hopes to launch an international board with Nasdaq later this year and expand cross-trading schemes with mainland China.

China Economy

‘Loneliness economy’: how China is adapting to a rapid rise in solo living

The viral success of check-in app Are You Dead? has exposed the vast demand for services catering to China’s rapidly growing single population.

videocam
14
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

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?

videocam
43
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.

6

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.

videocam

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.

videocam
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
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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
18
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
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.
Video

Shares in Baby Shark creator soar on IPO debut

geth
00:55
Video

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
02:26
Video

US-China soybean row leaves farmers caught in the middle

US-China soybean row leaves farmers caught in the middle
06:31
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
TRENDING TOPICS
China trade
China manufacturing
China's economic recovery
China inflation
China’s economic stimulus
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MOST POPULAR
1

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

videocam
2

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

3

‘Invest in people’: China raises minimum wages to boost household spending

videocam
4

‘Loneliness economy’: how China is adapting to a rapid rise in solo living

videocam
5

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

videocam