https://www.scmp.com/rss/507589/feed The rapid evolution of the Chinese economy in recent years and its stronger-than-expected rebound from the coronavirus pandemic have brought into focus its many economic advantages but have also raised questions about the future amidst deteriorating relations with the United States and other western countries. The country faces many domestic challenges, as well, in particular its rapidly ageing population. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com He Huifeng He Huifeng Openings at overseas energy storage operations flood John Yang’s screen anytime he browses recruitment websites, with listed giants and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) alike offering salaries well above those typically found in China’s manufacturing sector. “Job seeking has never felt easier. The only worry is whether the new role could last beyond next year,” joked Yang, Thailand director at a Shenzhen-based energy storage firm. Yang’s experience reflects the recent, rapid overseas... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3329425/overseas-opportunities-add-fuel-chinese-energy-storage-firms-hunt-executives?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3329425/overseas-opportunities-add-fuel-chinese-energy-storage-firms-hunt-executives?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Oct 2025 06:00:16 +0000 Mandy Zuo Mandy Zuo As China drafts its 15th five-year plan – the next entry in a line of expansive blueprints that have set the tone for the country’s development over more than seven decades – we examine how these documents inform and reflect high-level policy priorities, what to expect in the coming iteration and why food security is set to remain a cornerstone in Beijing’s push for self-reliance. For more stories in this ongoing series, click here. To view SCMP Plus Factsheets on the 15th five-year plan and... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3329086/why-chinas-next-5-year-plan-will-double-down-food-security?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3329086/why-chinas-next-5-year-plan-will-double-down-food-security?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 22:00:09 +0000 Mia Nurmamat,Mandy Zuo Mia Nurmamat,Mandy Zuo China is raising the maximum hiring age for some civil service positions from 35 to 43 amid rampant age discrimination in the job market that has left many older workers complaining of a “curse of 35”. The upper age limit for candidates in next year’s national-level civil service examinations has been increased to 43 for fresh master’s and doctoral graduates, according to a recruitment plan published by China’s central government and affiliated institutions on Tuesday. The age requirement for... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3329072/china-bids-break-job-market-curse-35-it-raises-civil-service-age-cap?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3329072/china-bids-break-job-market-curse-35-it-raises-civil-service-age-cap?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 05:03:16 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu Premier Li Qiang called on China’s companies to be resilient and reiterated a pledge to achieve the country’s annual economic goals at a symposium with business leaders, academics and other experts on Tuesday. “To accurately understand the current economic situation, one must take a broader perspective … [it is necessary to] further strengthen confidence, face problems squarely and stay firmly committed to doing our work well,” Li was quoted as saying by state news agency Xinhua. The meeting,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3329066/chinese-premier-stresses-resilience-symposium-business-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3329066/chinese-premier-stresses-resilience-symposium-business-leaders?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 04:03:26 +0000 Ji Siqi,Mandy Zuo Ji Siqi,Mandy Zuo With trade tensions between China and the United States reignited less than two weeks before a major political gathering in Beijing, Chinese scholars said the flare-up could provide a common cause for the country to rally behind as policymakers take steps to protect technological development and national security. “Pressure, whether from internal or external sources, has the potential to foster unity,” said Yang Jianwen, a senior economic researcher at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328967/us-china-trade-war-hotspots-could-put-fire-beijings-belly-scholars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328967/us-china-trade-war-hotspots-could-put-fire-beijings-belly-scholars?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 03:00:19 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu China’s consumer prices fell again in September as demand remained weak, while a slight narrowing of the fall in factory-gate prices gave a hint that Beijing’s efforts to curb involution – the cutthroat intra-industry competition pushing down prices in several sectors – could be making ground, even as economists said further monetary easing remained an option. The national consumer price index (CPI), a key gauge of inflation, fell 0.3 per cent year on year last month, according to data released... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3329045/latest-chinese-economic-data-shows-fight-against-deflationary-pressures-not-yet-won?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3329045/latest-chinese-economic-data-shows-fight-against-deflationary-pressures-not-yet-won?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 02:14:12 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu This year marks half a century of formal diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, as well as the 25th anniversary of the founding of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. The latest story in our series examining ties between the two powers focuses on intensified competition in the auto industry, a bedrock sector for Europe and an area where China has made enormous strides, particularly in electric vehicles and other hi-tech advancements. When Volkswagen engineers... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3328961/chinas-ev-boom-has-eu-setting-roadblocks-can-cooperation-clear-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3328961/chinas-ev-boom-has-eu-setting-roadblocks-can-cooperation-clear-way?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Oct 2025 22:00:08 +0000 Luna Sun Luna Sun China’s economy will grow 4.8 per cent in 2025 before growth moderates to 4.2 per cent in 2026 according to the latest projection by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a sign of cautious optimism from the agency even as US-China ties remain volatile. The forecast for 2025 is unchanged from IMF’s July’s estimate, 0.8 percentage points higher than its April projection and 0.3 percentage points higher than the report from last October. The Chinese economy’s resilient performance was driven by... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328960/imf-raises-its-china-growth-forecast-despite-us-trade-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328960/imf-raises-its-china-growth-forecast-despite-us-trade-war?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:00:08 +0000 Alice Li Alice Li After months of tenuous peace between the US and China – featuring multiple rounds of talks and extensions of a temporary trade truce – recent events had markets and observers briefly worried over a return to the dangerous escalatory spiral averted earlier in the year. Several punitive measures have been employed or threatened by the world’s two largest economies as they attempt to gain the upper hand in their broader rivalry, but last Thursday’s flurry of announcements from China’s Ministry of... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3328971/china-widens-its-export-control-net-whats-next-rare-earths?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3328971/china-widens-its-export-control-net-whats-next-rare-earths?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Oct 2025 10:30:09 +0000 Ji Siqi,Kandy Wong Ji Siqi,Kandy Wong Analysts said a mutual de-escalation is expected in the short term between the US and China, a development that would provide some relief for global markets after last week’s barrage of economic sanctions, export controls and vows of triple-digit tariffs threatened to send the world’s two largest economies into another devastating escalatory cycle. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump adopted a softer tone compared to previous comments on the tensions with Beijing, telling reporters, “I think... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3328829/us-china-trade-flare-short-term-scare-both-sides-seek-ramp-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3328829/us-china-trade-flare-short-term-scare-both-sides-seek-ramp-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:00:08 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu Construction is set to begin next month on a monumental railway linking Hotan in Xinjiang with Lhasa in Tibet – one of China’s most ambitious infrastructure projects to date. The 1,980km (1,230 miles) line has been dubbed one of the “projects of the century” for the extreme engineering challenges it presents and the massive investment required. Traversing mountain ranges, glaciers and permafrost zones at altitudes averaging above 4,500 metres (14,764 feet), it will connect the two autonomous... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328547/what-makes-xinjiang-tibet-mega-railway-chinas-project-century?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328547/what-makes-xinjiang-tibet-mega-railway-chinas-project-century?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Oct 2025 08:00:14 +0000 Ji Siqi Ji Siqi As China drafts its 15th five-year plan – the next entry in a line of expansive blueprints that have set the tone for the country’s development over more than seven decades – we examine how these documents inform and reflect high-level policy priorities, what to expect in the coming iteration and how infrastructure spending and investment could evolve to meet the demands of a new era. For more stories in this ongoing series, click here. To view SCMP Plus Factsheets on the 15th five-year-plan and... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328549/will-chinas-next-5-year-plan-rewrite-its-infrastructure-playbook?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328549/will-chinas-next-5-year-plan-rewrite-its-infrastructure-playbook?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Oct 2025 22:00:14 +0000 Mandy Zuo Mandy Zuo How much do financial incentives and other means of support influence the decision to have children, or how many to have? In China, the connection appears weak. Despite being the country’s top contributor of newborns, the southern economic powerhouse of Guangdong offers one of the poorest environments for childbirth, Chinese researchers said in a recent study. The most populous province and a rare bright spot amid a national fertility downturn, Guangdong placed second to last in a composite... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328545/researchers-find-mismatch-between-chinas-fertility-incentives-local-birth-rates?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328545/researchers-find-mismatch-between-chinas-fertility-incentives-local-birth-rates?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Oct 2025 05:00:08 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang China will levy phased fees on US-linked vessels calling at its ports starting next Tuesday, a retaliatory action set to take effect the same day as similar surcharges that were announced in April by the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Having been granted approval by the State Council, China’s cabinet, Beijing will apply the fees to vessels under several classifications: those owned or operated by US enterprises, organisations and individuals; those whose owners or operators... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3328537/china-hits-back-trumps-port-fees-reciprocal-charges-us-ships?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3328537/china-hits-back-trumps-port-fees-reciprocal-charges-us-ships?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Oct 2025 09:15:30 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu Chinese regulators have launched renewed efforts to tackle the phenomenon of disorderly price competition, including the potential formulation of state-sanctioned cost assessments and firm actions against below-cost bidding. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) – the country’s top economic planner – and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) published a joint policy paper on Thursday outlining measures designed to limit the intense competition within some... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328465/chinese-regulators-step-efforts-target-disorderly-price-competition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328465/chinese-regulators-step-efforts-target-disorderly-price-competition?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Oct 2025 03:21:20 +0000 Kandy Wong Kandy Wong While Kazakhstan is cooperating closely with China on the digitalisation of trade, a government official from the Central Asian country said this week that more infrastructure investment is needed – including along the Middle Corridor trade route – for it to realise its aim of becoming a bridge between Asia and Europe. Exporters turned to the Middle Corridor – which connects China and Europe via Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey – as an alternative to the northern route of the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3328371/kazakh-official-urges-investment-help-country-connect-china-and-europe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3328371/kazakh-official-urges-investment-help-country-connect-china-and-europe?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 13:00:15 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat China’s extended “super golden week” holiday saw cinemas’ box-office revenues slump compared to last year’s National Day break, but nationwide takings since the start of the year have already exceeded the total for all of 2024. According to box-office tracker Dengta Data, cinemas raked in 1.83 billion yuan (US$257 million) during the eight-day holiday, which ended on Wednesday. That was the second-lowest total since 2017 and down from the 2.1 billion yuan reported for the regular seven-day... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328370/chinas-super-golden-week-box-office-lags-annual-picture-improves?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328370/chinas-super-golden-week-box-office-lags-annual-picture-improves?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Oct 2025 11:30:08 +0000 Sylvia Ma,Ji Siqi Sylvia Ma,Ji Siqi In a series of eight op-eds published in the Communist Party’s mouthpiece newspaper ahead of a meeting that will set the tone for China’s next five years of development, Beijing described the country’s economy as an “unsinkable economic aircraft carrier” capable of withstanding internal and external uncertainties. The articles in People’s Daily, carrying a byline widely seen as representing the party’s Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission, touted China’s stability and resilience... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328247/ahead-plenum-party-mouthpiece-likens-chinas-economy-unsinkable-aircraft-carrier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328247/ahead-plenum-party-mouthpiece-likens-chinas-economy-unsinkable-aircraft-carrier?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:00:14 +0000 Sylvia Ma Sylvia Ma Even after a record-setting run, the price of gold appears poised for further gains, as China’s central bank extended its buying streak to an 11th straight month and demand for the safe-haven asset continues to grow amid an ongoing US government shutdown. Spot gold prices in London surpassed the benchmark US$4,000 per ounce on Wednesday morning, hitting a new high after an identical breach by gold futures in New York on Tuesday. The surge comes as investors seek reliable sources of return in an... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328200/chinas-central-bank-aids-golds-record-setting-run-11-month-buying-streak?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328200/chinas-central-bank-aids-golds-record-setting-run-11-month-buying-streak?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Oct 2025 05:08:45 +0000 Kandy Wong Kandy Wong The world’s first commercial underwater data centre is now operational in China’s Hainan, as the island province pushes to attract foreign investment by expanding the blue economy in the country’s largest pilot free-trade zone. The servers manage digital services from restaurant recommendations to travel hacks, and will be installed in a 1,300-tonne underwater data cabin – equivalent to the weight of 1,000 passenger cars – after the first phase of construction was completed in Lingshui county... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328063/china-launches-worlds-first-commercial-underwater-data-centre-hainan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328063/china-launches-worlds-first-commercial-underwater-data-centre-hainan?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2025 08:00:09 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings The Bali heat proved too much for Zhang Min, a 30-year-old tourist from Chengdu, one afternoon last month. She had made it to a cliff above one of the Indonesian holiday destination’s most sought-after scenic spots, but was exhausted by the journey. “The roads are really poor,” Zhang said as her group stopped above the T. Rex-shaped headland – a unique land mass that has made Kelingking one of the world’s most photographed beaches. Her group opted against hiking down a steep, sun-exposed trail... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328027/will-chinese-firms-bali-beach-lift-project-alter-local-landscape?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328027/will-chinese-firms-bali-beach-lift-project-alter-local-landscape?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Oct 2025 03:00:08 +0000 Luna Sun Luna Sun As China drafts its 15th five-year plan – the next entry in a line of expansive blueprints that have set the tone for the country’s development over more than seven decades – we examine how these documents inform and reflect high-level policy priorities, what to expect in the coming iteration and whether the private sector will receive the level of support entrepreneurs are hoping for. For more stories in this ongoing series, click here. To view SCMP Plus Factsheets on the 15th five-year-plan... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328026/china-planning-5-year-honeymoon-its-private-firms-will-they-feel-love?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3328026/china-planning-5-year-honeymoon-its-private-firms-will-they-feel-love?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Oct 2025 22:00:07 +0000 Mandy Zuo Mandy Zuo China’s factories welcomed 295,000 newly installed industrial robots last year, easing fears the nation’s manufacturing juggernaut could falter after the population declined for a third consecutive year. The robot boom in the rapidly ageing society is helping offset some of the challenges of a declining workforce and bolstering its manufacturing edge, which is set to sharpen further as humanoid technology matures, analysts said. China’s population has declined since 2022, with a decrease of 1.39... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327793/chinas-population-falls-300000-strong-robot-army-keeps-factories-humming?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327793/chinas-population-falls-300000-strong-robot-army-keeps-factories-humming?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Oct 2025 02:00:13 +0000 Mandy Zuo Mandy Zuo In China's biggest cities, many of the trendiest nightlife spots aren’t known for their craft cocktails or stunning views, but for an unusual feature: fortune-telling. Sip of Oracle, a self-styled “spiritual bar” in central Shanghai, encapsulates this trend with its whimsical slogan, “Explore the unknown in a tipsy haze.” Kate Li, a Shanghai bank employee reeling from a recent pay cut, stumbled upon the establishment with friends one weekend. “We were venting about work and curious about our... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327790/tarot-your-merlot-why-chinas-consumers-are-spending-spiritually?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327790/tarot-your-merlot-why-chinas-consumers-are-spending-spiritually?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Oct 2025 08:00:14 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng With gold prices dancing near a never-before-seen US$3,900 an ounce, Chinese investors and consumers are finding themselves caught up in a whirlwind of excitement and trepidation – frustrated by missed opportunities, wary of the record-high rally, and scrambling to decide whether to buy, sell or hold their glittering assets. After topping US$3,800 an ounce for the first time last week in a surprise surge that has continued this week, gold is keeping market participants on their toes. Li Yue, a... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327785/chinas-gold-fever-record-prices-and-see-saw-sentiment-do-consumers-buy-sell-or-hold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327785/chinas-gold-fever-record-prices-and-see-saw-sentiment-do-consumers-buy-sell-or-hold?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Oct 2025 03:00:12 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng In the run-up to National Day, a week-long celebration viewed as a litmus test for the strength of China’s domestic consumption, a fiery feud between a celebrity entrepreneur and one of the country’s best-known restaurant chains has drawn widespread attention to cost-saving practices in the food industry. The drama began on September 10, when influencer Luo Yonghao – a former teacher known for his outspoken views – blasted the popular Xibei restaurant chain on social media, claiming his... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327789/chinas-struggling-restaurants-feeling-queasy-debate-rages-over-pre-made-food?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327789/chinas-struggling-restaurants-feeling-queasy-debate-rages-over-pre-made-food?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 12:00:07 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng Early sales of mooncakes – a food traditionally distributed among families, workplaces and other social groups to celebrate China’s Mid-Autumn Festival – have softened compared to previous years, another sign the country’s domestic demand has yet to fully reenergise. Packages of mooncakes, typically round baked goods with a variety of dense fillings, are popular gifts during the holiday season, with luxury variants stuffed with premium ingredients like black truffle or Spanish ham serving as... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327788/mooncake-sales-wane-chinas-consumers-cut-back-non-essentials?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327788/mooncake-sales-wane-chinas-consumers-cut-back-non-essentials?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 04 Oct 2025 06:00:32 +0000 Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings The delivery delays appearing to hit China’s C919 – the home-grown narrowbody jet intended to compete with leading Western models – may lead some domestic carriers to consider more orders with US aerospace giant Boeing, industry insiders said. With financial reports from major airlines suggesting C919 units have not been arriving as scheduled, manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) may lose a share of its home market to its American rival, they said, despite the safety... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327787/chinas-c919-jet-facing-order-delays-boeing-waiting-wings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327787/chinas-c919-jet-facing-order-delays-boeing-waiting-wings?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 15:00:08 +0000 Xiaofei Xu Xiaofei Xu China has condemned Mexico’s recent anti-dumping investigations targeting Chinese imports and has vowed to “take all necessary measures” to protect the legitimate interests of Chinese companies. “China firmly opposes protectionist actions that undermine China’s legitimate rights and interests. We will closely follow the progress of Mexico’s investigations and urge Mexico to strictly abide by WTO rules in the process, so as to safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies,”... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327820/beijing-blasts-mexico-over-protectionism-threatens-retaliation-amid-us-coercion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327820/beijing-blasts-mexico-over-protectionism-threatens-retaliation-amid-us-coercion?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 13:30:08 +0000 Alice Li,Kandy Wong Alice Li,Kandy Wong While US officials express expectations of meaningful progress in the next round of trade talks – where agricultural purchases are likely to top the agenda – analysts suggest soybeans are poised to become a key bargaining chip for China in upcoming negotiations, and a comprehensive deal may not be easily signed. James Downes, executive co-director at the Centre for Research and Social Progress, an Italian think tank, said that US President Donald Trump was “strongly motivated” to secure a... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327815/soybeans-chinas-new-bargaining-chip-trade-war-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327815/soybeans-chinas-new-bargaining-chip-trade-war-us?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 13:00:09 +0000 Sylvia Ma Sylvia Ma China’s tourism sector is off to a strong start as the extra-long “super golden week” holiday begins, with railway travel breaking records and tickets for many popular attractions selling out – a welcome sign for Beijing as it continues its efforts to spur domestic spending. On the first day of the eight-day holiday, created by an overlap of the week-long National Day celebration and the Mid-Autumn Festival, China’s railways carried 23.13 million passengers – a record single-day figure,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327772/chinas-super-golden-week-sees-record-breaking-travel-first-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327772/chinas-super-golden-week-sees-record-breaking-travel-first-day?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 11:00:08 +0000 Mia Nurmamat Mia Nurmamat China has assembled the world’s largest single-unit floating offshore wind power system as it accelerates efforts to expand its marine economy and clean energy industry. Assembly of the 16-megawatt system has been completed in Beihai, in South China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Science and Technology Daily reported on Wednesday. All of its key parts, from mooring cables and turbine gearboxes to ballast control systems, were produced domestically, the official newspaper of the Ministry of... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327723/rotor-size-7-pitches-china-builds-worlds-biggest-floating-wind-power-system?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327723/rotor-size-7-pitches-china-builds-worlds-biggest-floating-wind-power-system?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 06:00:16 +0000 Luna Sun Luna Sun Long known as China’s coffee capital, the southwestern province of Yunnan is moving higher up the global value chain as rising international prices and overseas demand fuel an export boom. The value of outbound shipments of coffee and derivative products from Yunnan hit 7.7 billion yuan (US$1.1 billion) in the first eight months of 2025, the highest of any region, with beans shipped to more than 30 countries including Germany and Vietnam. Overseas orders are also driving industrial reforms, with... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327639/yunnan-chinas-coffee-capital-grinds-out-exports-meet-global-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327639/yunnan-chinas-coffee-capital-grinds-out-exports-meet-global-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:08 +0000 Sylvia Ma,Kandy Wong Sylvia Ma,Kandy Wong While the domestic consequences of this week’s shutdown of the United States federal government are clear, analysts said the implications for China may take longer to surface and could be more mixed, as trade talks appear likely to continue between the two countries despite the stalemate in Washington. “We don’t expect the immediate impact on China to be too pronounced,” said Lynn Song, chief economist for Greater China at ING Bank. “One thing to watch in the event of a lengthy shutdown could be... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327637/us-government-frozen-after-shutdown-china-talks-still-motion-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327637/us-government-frozen-after-shutdown-china-talks-still-motion-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Oct 2025 11:00:09 +0000 Alice Li Alice Li Beijing’s recent move to clarify standards for “domestically made products” in government procurement is designed to shore up the confidence of foreign companies operating in the country, according to an analyst. Effective January 1, “Made in China” goods will be granted a 20 per cent price preference over foreign-made goods in bidding for government contracts, according to a notice released by the State Council on Tuesday. Companies with different ownerships – state-owned, private or foreign –... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327635/beijing-clarifies-made-china-standards-giving-foreign-firms-national-treatment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327635/beijing-clarifies-made-china-standards-giving-foreign-firms-national-treatment?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Oct 2025 09:00:09 +0000 Mandy Zuo Mandy Zuo With China’s three most economically important cities recently rolling out policies to address renewed weakness in the property sector, analysts say stabilising the industry would be significant in terms of boosting consumer sentiment, but that no quick market rebound should be expected. After Beijing, north China’s biggest population centre, lifted purchase limits outside its Fifth Ring Road and eased housing fund rules in early August, Shanghai and Shenzhen followed suit with similar policies... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327455/can-easing-property-curbs-3-big-cities-help-give-chinese-consumption-boost?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327455/can-easing-property-curbs-3-big-cities-help-give-chinese-consumption-boost?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Oct 2025 01:00:13 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang China has reached a major milestone in offshore energy infrastructure, with the total subsea pipeline network now exceeding 10,000km (6,213 miles), as the country accelerates efforts to explore offshore resources to meet its energy-security needs. The milestone was achieved as the final section of a deep-sea pipeline was installed on Sunday in northern China’s Bohai Bay, according to state broadcaster CCTV. As one of China’s largest offshore oil-production bases, Bohai Bay now hosts the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327436/china-surpasses-10000km-subsea-pipelines-boosting-offshore-energy-network?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327436/china-surpasses-10000km-subsea-pipelines-boosting-offshore-energy-network?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Oct 2025 06:00:14 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Visa-free travel abroad and free toll roads at home are expected to fuel a surge in travel by Chinese citizens during an extra-long holiday starting this week, in what analysts call a boon for the service economy. Total trips outside mainland China are forecast to reach between 8 million and 8.4 million – more than double the 3.8 million recorded for the holiday in 2024 – according to travel marketing and technology company China Trading Desk on Monday. Demand is “surging” for visa-free... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327402/chinas-super-golden-week-forecast-spark-travel-boom-home-and-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327402/chinas-super-golden-week-forecast-spark-travel-boom-home-and-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Oct 2025 01:30:15 +0000 Sylvia Ma Sylvia Ma The Chinese yuan’s share in global foreign exchange (forex) trading climbed to 8.5 per cent this year while maintaining its position as the world’s fifth-most traded currency, according to survey findings by the so-called central bank for central banks. The proportion, unveiled by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in its 2025 Triennial Central Bank Survey – launched in April, with the findings released on Tuesday – showed an increase from 7 per cent in the 2022 survey, with the yuan’s... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327391/chinese-yuans-forex-market-share-grows-85-global-position-firms-bis-survey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327391/chinese-yuans-forex-market-share-grows-85-global-position-firms-bis-survey?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:00:10 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang As a new US port fee targeting China-built or -operated vessels is set to take effect in two weeks, China has revised its international maritime transport rules to allow retaliatory measures, including charging special fees or restricting access to Chinese ports. China will implement necessary countermeasures against any country or region that imposes or supports discriminatory bans, restrictions or similar measures targeting Chinese operators, vessels or crews, according to the revision... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327389/china-issues-retaliatory-rules-ahead-us-port-fee-targeting-chinese-vessels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327389/china-issues-retaliatory-rules-ahead-us-port-fee-targeting-chinese-vessels?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000 Carol Yang,Sylvia Ma Carol Yang,Sylvia Ma China’s official gauge of manufacturing activity has stayed in contraction for a sixth consecutive month in September, providing more fuel for calls to step up government support amid persistent external headwinds and weak domestic demand. The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) stood at 49.8 in September according to a Tuesday release from the National Bureau of Statistics, higher than August’s reading of 49.4 but falling short of a 50.1 projection from a survey of economists by... https://www.scmp.com/economy/economic-indicators/article/3327305/chinas-factory-activity-contracts-sixth-straight-month-september?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/economic-indicators/article/3327305/chinas-factory-activity-contracts-sixth-straight-month-september?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Sep 2025 01:36:59 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng China has announced production curbs in its strategic non-ferrous metals sector, the latest step in Beijing’s drive to rein in cutthroat competition and boost industrial efficiency. In a new action plan the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has projected output growth of 1.5 per cent for primary non-ferrous metals this year, down from 4.3 per cent last year. The initiative expands Beijing’s campaign against “involution”, or neijuan in Chinese – a self-defeating cycle of... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327253/china-curbs-strategic-non-ferrous-metals-sector-fight-against-cutthroat-competition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327253/china-curbs-strategic-non-ferrous-metals-sector-fight-against-cutthroat-competition?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 23:00:08 +0000 Mia Nurmamat,Sylvia Ma Mia Nurmamat,Sylvia Ma Just hours before US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to settle the tumult surrounding TikTok, Beijing launched a sudden salvo in its ongoing trade war with Washington. As Trump’s order brought the fate of the popular short-video app closer to a resolution, a number of American firms were being hit with trade curbs. It not only marked the latest example of bilateral tensions flaring up during Trump’s second presidential term, analysts say it also reflected a pattern in the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327266/dare-fight-how-chinas-refined-art-deal-reflects-years-dealing-trump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327266/dare-fight-how-chinas-refined-art-deal-reflects-years-dealing-trump?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 13:00:13 +0000 Sylvia Ma Sylvia Ma Authorities in Henan province, central China, have approved the merger of 82 small rural financial institutions into a single regional lender, in an effort to contain systemic risks in a region once at the centre of a major banking scandal. Approved by the Henan office of the National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA), the consolidation will see Henan Rural Commercial Bank absorb institutions across nine cities including Kaifeng, Pingdingshan and Anyang, according to an official social... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327246/chinas-henan-province-merges-82-rural-banks-new-step-shore-financial-stability?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327246/chinas-henan-province-merges-82-rural-banks-new-step-shore-financial-stability?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 11:00:10 +0000 Alice Li Alice Li Hunan has become the latest Chinese province to tighten controls on non-tax revenue growth through a revision of local regulation, as Beijing intensifies efforts to revive market sentiment and private investor confidence. The regulation changes, set to take effect on November 1, explicitly mandate that local-level governments fully remit proceeds from the disposal of confiscated goods – along with any interest they generate – to the state treasury, in a sign of how such non-tax revenue is now... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327236/chinas-hunan-puts-non-tax-revenue-crosshairs-cracking-down-sketchy-fines?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327236/chinas-hunan-puts-non-tax-revenue-crosshairs-cracking-down-sketchy-fines?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 09:00:02 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang China’s central bank appears increasingly likely to ease its monetary stance in the fourth quarter, according to Goldman Sachs, as economic momentum slows and policymakers face mounting pressure to support growth. The forecast includes a 10-basis-point policy rate cut and a 50-basis-point reduction in the reserve requirement ratio, which could come as year-on-year growth slows sharply towards 4 per cent from a high base last year, a note released on Saturday said. “But the data-dependent nature... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327189/china-rate-cuts-likely-fourth-quarter-amid-growth-concerns-goldman-sachs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327189/china-rate-cuts-likely-fourth-quarter-amid-growth-concerns-goldman-sachs?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 04:30:07 +0000 Ralph Jennings Ralph Jennings Deliveries of China’s first narrowbody passenger jet to the top three domestic airlines could be falling behind schedule, according to company financial reports, raising market speculation regarding potential disruptions to the model’s engine supply. Air China and China Eastern Airlines received one C919 aircraft each in the first half of the year despite their stated goals of adding 10 apiece in 2025, according to the reports. China Southern Airlines’ reports said the carrier expects 12 of the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327021/orders-chinas-c919-jet-could-face-delays-over-engine-supply-snags?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327021/orders-chinas-c919-jet-could-face-delays-over-engine-supply-snags?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 02:00:20 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu Some Chinese skiers are travelling to an unexpected destination to take part in the winter sport: the hot and humid tech hub of Shenzhen in southern China’s Guangdong province, during next month’s eight-day National Day holiday, also known as the “golden week”. Qianhai Huafa Snow World, which is being touted as the world’s largest indoor ski resort, is set to open there on Monday as authorities look to tie the winter sports economy to efforts to boost consumption. The 10-hectare (24.7 acre)... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327002/why-shenzhen-chinas-balmy-southern-tech-hub-becoming-skiing-destination?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3327002/why-shenzhen-chinas-balmy-southern-tech-hub-becoming-skiing-destination?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Sep 2025 07:00:09 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng As China’s National Day holiday approaches, prices of hairy crabs, one of the most popular seasonal gifts at this time of the year, are down markedly as the first batches are delivered to markets across the country. Industry insiders predict that prices will fall further, citing higher production, shrinking gift-giving demand and weak household spending. Businesses and wealthy individuals have long regarded hairy crabs, which are prized for their unique flavour, as an ideal gift for clients and... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3326980/consumption-doldrums-see-hairy-crab-prices-down-china-eve-golden-week-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3326980/consumption-doldrums-see-hairy-crab-prices-down-china-eve-golden-week-holiday?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Sep 2025 04:00:16 +0000 Mandy Zuo,Ralph Jennings Mandy Zuo,Ralph Jennings As US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to bring the widely watched TikTok dispute closer to a resolution, the move fuelled expectations of broader US-China trade deals when their leaders are expected to meet next month. The proposed divestiture, meanwhile, has also raised questions about the fate of Chinese and American companies investing and operating in each other’s markets. In the latest development in the saga involving the short-video app, Trump wrote in the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327024/tiktok-deal-us-china-investments-new-normal-or-reciprocity-risk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3327024/tiktok-deal-us-china-investments-new-normal-or-reciprocity-risk?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Sep 2025 14:00:15 +0000