Advertisement
Advertisement

Economy

Hong Kong Economy
China Economy
Global Economy
Economic Indicators
Policy
China Future Tech
The U-Boat Worx Super Yacht Sub 3. Chinese engineers are now working on a prototype for the first tourist submersible able to venture as deep as 1,000 metres below sea level. Photo: Handout

China Economy

China developing first tourist submersible for trips 1,000 metres under the sea

The Chinese prototype would enter commercial operation offering adventure-seeking holidaymakers spectacular deep-sea experiences by 2030.

videocam

What is ‘tokenomics’ and how would China gain the edge in an AI era?

Does China need world-leading forex reserves? Globalising yuan revives debate

9

China Economy

China’s AI edge built on power grid, open-source models: Alibaba’s Joe Tsai

Investment in power and open-source models, plus industrial depth, highlights China’s vast potential for AI applications, Joe Tsai says.

Joe Tsai, chairman of Alibaba Group Holding, delivers a speech on March 22 at the China Development Forum in Beijing. Photo: Handout
Joe Tsai, chairman of Alibaba Group Holding, delivers a speech on March 22 at the China Development Forum in Beijing. Photo: Handout

Commodities

Gold slides as hawkish Fed and strong US dollar override geopolitical fears

Market watchers point to fading hopes of interest rate cuts and oil-driven inflation concerns as key drivers of the decline.

China Economy

International capital flowing to China as investors seek certainty amid Iran war

Conflict in the Middle East and growing global turbulence following US-Israeli strikes against Iran has seen foreign investors look to China.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

China Economy

Premier Li Qiang calls for global pledge to open up amid ‘power politics’

Li’s opening address to China Development Forum indirectly rebukes US as he states protectionism is no ‘panacea’ for solving problems.

videocam
9
Chinese Premier Li Qiang is displayed on a large screen live broadcasting his speech at the opening of the China Development Forum 2026 held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Sunday, March 22. Photo: AP
Chinese Premier Li Qiang is displayed on a large screen live broadcasting his speech at the opening of the China Development Forum 2026 held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Sunday, March 22. Photo: AP

China Economy

AI, flying cars drive economic transition in China’s Kunshan

City at heart of Yangtze River Delta region sees new tech dreams emerge as old ones based on mass production of electronics fade.

China

China reports ‘stunning’ critical minerals finds as hi-tech US race heats up

Surveys in Sichuan reveal fresh reserves of rare earth oxides as well as ‘super-large’ deposits of fluorite and baryte.

videocam
13

China Economy

China’s exports are booming – so why are plants in this factory hub closing?

Dongguan reflects a growing polarisation in the Chinese economy, with many factories and workers left behind as hi-tech firms surge ahead.

Illustration: Henry Wong

China Economy

Middle East oil shock sparks global airfare rises, with 9% increases feared

Surging jet fuel prices are pushing airlines – including several Chinese carriers – to raise fares, with a warning of 9 per cent price rises.

videocam
Smoke rises above aircraft parked at Dubai International Airport after a drone strike on March 16. The growing conflict in the Middle East is causing global airlines to raise fares amid a spike in jet fuel prices. Photo: AP
Smoke rises above aircraft parked at Dubai International Airport after a drone strike on March 16. The growing conflict in the Middle East is causing global airlines to raise fares amid a spike in jet fuel prices. Photo: AP

Economy

Exclusive | Japanese executives absent from China’s key annual summit amid tensions: sources

Nearly 80 executives from foreign firms, with those from the US making up the largest group, will attend the two-day forum.

10

China Economy

China adds 12 banks to digital yuan system, expanding e-CNY’s economic presence

More than doubling the number of institutions using digital yuan in day-to-day operations, China is deepening the currency's role in its financial system.

videocam

China Economy

How China plans to use new law to further its financial superpower ambitions

The draft finance law, released by the Ministry of Justice, central bank and three other regulators, will solicit feedback until April 19.

A draft of China’s finance law was released by the People’s Bank of China and four other regulators on Friday. Photo: AFP

Global Economy

US loses, Europe gains: what’s happening with China’s rare earth magnet exports?

Latest data shows a persistent drop in US-bound shipments and rising European imports.

Blocks with symbols and atomic numbers of rare earth elements in this illustration taken on February 6. Photo: Reuters
Blocks with symbols and atomic numbers of rare earth elements in this illustration taken on February 6. Photo: Reuters

China Economy

China’s Russian oil imports spike in early 2026, but Iran war changes outlook

China’s need to bolster crude stockpiles amid rising geopolitical risks likely to have been a factor behind pre-war import surge, analyst says.

China Economy

Strait of Hormuz tensions rise as Iran reportedly charges ships for safe passage

Around 20,000 seafarers are still stuck in the Gulf as Tehran reportedly charges at least one tanker about US$2 million to pass through the strait.

videocam
8
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
Cui Jianchun

Opinion | As China charts a new course, Hong Kong writes its next chapter

Cui Jianchun
Anthony Rowley

Macroscope | Trump’s war is uniting the world, just not how he might have expected

Anthony Rowley
Lizzi C. Lee,Huiyan Li

Opinion | To unlock consumption, China must go local

Lizzi C. Lee
Huiyan Li
David Dodwell

Outside In | As Iran war escalates, the US ramps up its trade war

David Dodwell
Lijia Zhang

Opinion | China’s high household savings reflect old values and new anxieties

Lijia Zhang
Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | China is weathering the Iran war oil shock better than others in Asia

Nicholas Spiro
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
MULTIMEDIA
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)
02:00
Video

German leader greeted by robot dance troupe in China

ewqfqw
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.
09:13
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.
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

Papers please: China raises pressure on Panama with ship inspection wave

videocam
2

How China opened the door to creating a direct rival to US payment systems

3

Will China’s yuan lift Strait of Hormuz blockade? Analysts urge caution

videocam
4

Red Sea fix? China-bound oil tankers tap Saudi plan to dodge Strait of Hormuz

videocam
5

China and the US end trade talks in Paris as doubts form over Trump visit

videocam