China Macro Economy /

Social Policy

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China's social credit system
China's population
China food safety
China economy
Illustration: Henry Wong
China food security

‘Extremely dangerous’: why China’s 5-year plan will double down on food security

Beijing has made huge strides in its self-sufficiency push – but trade tensions, climate risks and supply-chain shocks keep fears alive.

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China jobs

China bids to break job market ‘curse of 35’ as it raises civil service age cap

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China’s private sector

China’s private firms face a difficult landscape. Can the 5-year plan help?

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Super Typhoon Ragasa

‘Wartime readiness’: Shenzhen scrambles as Typhoon Ragasa nears China’s tech hub

Storm’s approach sees demand for supplies surge, inundating important delivery services, after southern Chinese city put on highest alert.

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Almost-empty shelves are seen as residents stock up on supplies at a grocery store in Shenzhen, China, on Monday ahead of super typhoon Ragasa. Photo: Getty Images
Almost-empty shelves are seen as residents stock up on supplies at a grocery store in Shenzhen, China, on Monday ahead of super typhoon Ragasa. Photo: Getty Images
China consumption

Local Chinese government stimulus pushes big spenders to dig in while dining out

Shaoxing city authorities roll out consumption-boosting measures at a time when economic growth is critical and the central government is watching closely.

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China's population

China’s new child subsidy is popular. But will it actually raise the birth rate?

China hopes the payments will convince couples to have more children. Parents say that is highly unlikely to happen.

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Made in China 2025

China vows stronger biotech support as deals with global drug makers surge

Chinese developers signed one-third of all agreements with global drug firms in the first half of 2025.

Scientist using microscope for chemistry test samples. Photo: Shutterstock
Scientist using microscope for chemistry test samples. Photo: Shutterstock
China’s economic stimulus

What does the Beidaihe guest list tell us about China’s economic priorities?

The invitees to the Communist Party’s annual summer getaway offer clues about Beijing’s priorities ahead of a crucial October meeting.

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China's population

If preschool is free, will more have a baby? China to waive final-year tuition

State Council says that depending on an area’s fiscal strength, Beijing will fund at least half and up to 80 per cent of the total cost.

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China's economic recovery

China tried to cut lavish spending. Now some officials fear ordering coffee

Some regions have rolled out draconian austerity measures that have hit businesses hard, complicating Beijing’s drive to boost consumption.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Coffee

China’s coffee craze creates bottomless cup of rural cafes – can the buzz last?

China’s coffee consumption has been increasing by double-digits annually, and many new ‘rural cafes’ are trying to brew success as the risk of homogenisation looms.

A woman enjoys her drink and a view at Deep Blue, a cafe in Anji, Zhejiang province. Photo: Weibo
A woman enjoys her drink and a view at Deep Blue, a cafe in Anji, Zhejiang province. Photo: Weibo
China travel

China’s thrill-seekers eye adventure tourism as social media lures them off-grid

A growing contingent of Chinese tourists seeks ‘shareable’ and ‘off-the-beaten-path experiences’, away from the hustle and bustle of urban sightseeing.

China's population

Pay dads to parent? How China could fix birth rate crisis, according to new research

As Beijing grapples with population decline, new research argues subsidies for fathers could tackle falling global fertility rates.

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China’s economic stimulus

Local governments halt some subsidies ahead of China’s big 618 shopping festival

Abrupt halt to shopping vouchers – meant to stimulate consumption and boost economy – comes as a surprise, with depleted funds and ‘programme upgrades’ cited.

A saleswoman discusses products and government subsidies with a customer in China’s Zhejiang province. Photo: Xinhua
China jobs

China already had a graduate jobs crisis. The trade war is making it worse

Anxiety among young Chinese is ‘through the roof’ as employers cut graduate roles amid an uncertain economic outlook.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China travel

China’s Xinjiang woos foreigners for 1 trillion yuan tourism haul amid sanctions

The region hopes a tourism boom will make its economy more resilient in the face of Western sanctions, analysts said.

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China's economic recovery

China’s regulators must act quickly to stamp out price wars: People’s Daily

The party mouthpiece warns that excessive, cutthroat competition is harming the long-term development of industries like food delivery.

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China's population

Not a problem yet: why young Chinese put off planning for retirement

As China grapples with a rapidly ageing population, Beijing urges employees to plan ahead – but is anybody listening?

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Beijing has urged young people to plan early for retirement, but young Chinese face a slowing economy, job uncertainty and other social pressures. Photo: IC
Beijing has urged young people to plan early for retirement, but young Chinese face a slowing economy, job uncertainty and other social pressures. Photo: IC
China birth rate

How this corner of China is still embracing big families amid national decline

While the rest of China attempts to boost birth rates as the population ages, why has the southern province stayed relatively resilient?

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US-China relations

Talent war? China gears up for competition as global race heats up

Amid competition for elite researchers, mainland goes from strength to strength - but experts say more can be done to attract international students.

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China’s economic stimulus

‘I’m not attracted’: why China is struggling to convince consumers to borrow

Beijing is offering easier access to credit in a bid to boost consumption, but households are reluctant to take on debt amid a global trade war.

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China has introduced a slew of measures in recent months to encourage consumers to open their wallets, but many households remain reluctant to spend amid an economic slowdown. Photo: EPA-EFE
China's social credit system

China’s complex social credit system evolves with 23 new guidelines from Beijing

Guidelines also establish ‘seriously discredited entities’ list for specific sectors – and those on the list could face restrictions or bans on issuing stocks and bonds.

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China’s long-anticipated draft law for a national system tracking “social credit” was released in November 2022. It is still being updated with new guidelines. Photo: Simon Song
China’s long-anticipated draft law for a national system tracking “social credit” was released in November 2022. It is still being updated with new guidelines. Photo: Simon Song
China's ageing population

Former officials call for parity, reform in China’s pension system

The current pension structure is too lopsided to provide adequate benefits to those in poorer regions, former banking officials say at Boao Forum.

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China's population

Can birth subsidies save China from its looming population crisis?

China is betting big on birth subsidies to stave off a demographic crisis. But do cash payments really work?

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China consumption

Chinese economists call for wider social safety net to nurture consumption

With trade becoming a less reliable source of growth, Chinese academics have recommended demand-side measures to spur domestic spending.

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China’s domestic consumption has taken on greater importance in an increasingly uncertain environment for international trade. Photo: EPA-EFE
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