https://www.scmp.com/rss/516575/feed A graduate from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Frank was previously with Asia Financial, Asia Times and Hong Kong Economic Journal. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Frank Chen Frank Chen American enterprises operating in China lauded improvements in the country’s regulatory environment and more “openness”, but long-standing concerns over access and Beijing’s emphasis on security continue to weigh on optimism, with expectations for US President Donald Trump’s looming China visit also muted, according to a leading business chamber. Targeted regulatory refinement in some sectors, ongoing updates to foreign investment policies and market access measures, and “incremental”... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3351168/beijings-emphasis-security-weighing-us-firms-optimism-amcham-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3351168/beijings-emphasis-security-weighing-us-firms-optimism-amcham-china?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:30:07 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Few people have heard of Huangyan, a booming industrial district of Taizhou, a city in eastern China’s Zhejiang province. Yet without it, many cars would likely be heavier, more expensive and less energy efficient, while everyday household goods would probably cost more. The town specialises in plastic components and moulding equipment – unassuming products that rarely make the news, but sit at the heart of modern manufacturing. For years, Huangyan’s producers have dominated this supply chain,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3351027/inside-teslas-hidden-supply-chain-how-chinese-town-shapes-modern-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3351027/inside-teslas-hidden-supply-chain-how-chinese-town-shapes-modern-world?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2026 22:00:10 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Beijing is putting its power strategy under the microscope as China navigates the impact of a shipping crisis in the Strait of Hormuz that risks becoming a long-term economic liability. Calling energy security a pillar of national stability, Premier Li Qiang on Monday convened a high-level study session of the State Council, China’s Cabinet, according to Xinhua. The meeting, focused on coordinating energy security and the sector’s transformation, was the latest in a series of policy discussions... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350896/china-confronts-middle-east-supply-shock-state-council-mulls-energy-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350896/china-confronts-middle-east-supply-shock-state-council-mulls-energy-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:00:14 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s top civilian aircraft manufacturer is reassessing geopolitical risks to its supply chains – particularly for jet engines sourced from foreign firms – according to a source at the planemaker, as deliveries of its flagship C919 passenger jet appear to be late or delayed this year. The Shanghai-based Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is facing external and internal constraints, including reliance on foreign suppliers for critical components and persistent manpower shortages,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350754/maker-chinas-c919-jet-weighs-supply-chain-weaknesses-amid-delivery-delays?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350754/maker-chinas-c919-jet-weighs-supply-chain-weaknesses-amid-delivery-delays?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 01:30:16 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen With global attention fixed on the US and Iranian shipping blockades in the Strait of Hormuz and how many vessels have traversed the critically important waterway, a leading Chinese investment bank has been calculating the long-term gains and losses and how they could rewrite the global economic order. The United States was on the horns of a dilemma over the strait that might herald an acceleration of Washington’s strategic retreat and its increasingly transactional relationships with other... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350721/hormuz-moment-could-herald-decline-us-dominance-citic-securities-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350721/hormuz-moment-could-herald-decline-us-dominance-citic-securities-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen The chief of China’s top economic planner has outlined strategies and priorities to safeguard economic security, as Beijing reassesses its preparedness and vulnerabilities amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz during the US-Israeli war on Iran. Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), warned external risks were mounting and said China had to reinforce its strategic reserves and response capabilities. “The evolution of the international situation is... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350753/hormuz-crisis-exposes-fragile-global-supply-chains-how-will-china-respond?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350753/hormuz-crisis-exposes-fragile-global-supply-chains-how-will-china-respond?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Deliveries of China’s home-grown C919 narrowbody airliner, billed to challenge mainstream models from Boeing and Airbus, appear to be delayed, with only three units shipped to Chinese carriers in the first quarter of 2026. Observers point to several factors holding back the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac). While some C919s are said to be stuck on the tarmac waiting for engines, analysts also say prioritising quality over speed is the right bet for the planemaker. Only three C919... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349112/chinas-c919-sees-delivery-delays-2026-3-units-shipped-3-months?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349112/chinas-c919-sees-delivery-delays-2026-3-units-shipped-3-months?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:00:10 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s aviation authorities have mobilised a range of resources to support European certification of the C919, the home-grown airliner aiming to take on Boeing and Airbus, with steady progress made in recent months, multiple sources said. Technicians and pilots from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have set up shop in Shanghai for more checks and in-flight tests in recent months, according to a source who took part in some technological exchanges with the agency. “They now stay... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349669/eu-tests-chinas-c919-speed-pilots-stay-shanghai-permanently-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349669/eu-tests-chinas-c919-speed-pilots-stay-shanghai-permanently-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:00:11 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen President Xi Jinping has signalled a renewed focus on China’s services sector, calling for a demand- and tech-led strategy to reshape growth and create jobs, as policymakers met to chart the path forward. “The focus must be on demand-driven development and reforms as well as empowerment by technologies,” Xi said in a message to a two-day conference on the sector that concluded on Wednesday, according to state-run news agency Xinhua. Highlighting the role of services in tackling some of China’s... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349415/xi-jinping-backs-services-sector-power-chinas-next-growth-phase?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349415/xi-jinping-backs-services-sector-power-chinas-next-growth-phase?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:30:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China has implemented a new regulation on supply chain security that hands officials the power to punish any entities deemed to threaten the country’s access to vital resources and the free flow of goods, as Beijing confronts an increasingly turbulent global outlook. The 18-point regulation – which was passed and became effective on March 31, but the full text of which was only published on Tuesday – elevates safeguarding China’s industrial and supply chains to a national security issue. The new... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349351/china-enforces-new-security-rules-defend-supply-chains-global-threats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3349351/china-enforces-new-security-rules-defend-supply-chains-global-threats?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:30:09 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen From controlling the weight of aircraft to sending more flights to Europe via Russian airspace, Chinese airlines have adopted a range of measures in response to the surge in oil prices resulting from the Middle East conflict that threatens to crimp their razor-thin margins. A number of carriers, including China Eastern Airlines, have been enforcing more precise and complex cost management measures in recent weeks to save fuel, according to industry insiders. They include stricter load and weight... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348919/chinese-airlines-shed-weight-add-flights-over-russia-trim-fuel-costs-amid-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3348919/chinese-airlines-shed-weight-add-flights-over-russia-trim-fuel-costs-amid-iran-war?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 03 Apr 2026 07:02:09 +0000 Xiaofei Xu,Frank Chen Xiaofei Xu,Frank Chen As China and the United States wrapped up their sixth and most recent round of trade talks in Paris this March, a minor mishap briefly stole the spotlight. A sudden gust of wind toppled two American flags in the background, where journalists were waiting for US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Officials rushed to tape them to the wall – a fitting tableau for a trade war that, one year on, is patched together by a truce yet remains far from resolved. At their respective press appearances,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3348826/us-china-trade-war-1-year-who-really-holds-upper-hand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3348826/us-china-trade-war-1-year-who-really-holds-upper-hand?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 22:00:14 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen The deepening Strait of Hormuz crisis amid the war in the Middle East is choking the critical flow of not just oil but also fertilisers and perishable goods, and the Global South may face worsening food scarcity, warned the chief of a leading international business organisation. “We’re seeing the impact play out on fertilisers. A lot of people are not fully aware of the importance of the trade, particularly the shipment [of fertilisers] through the Strait of Hormuz and access,” said John Denton,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347666/global-south-bare-brunt-strait-hormuz-crisis-amid-worsening-food-scarcity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347666/global-south-bare-brunt-strait-hormuz-crisis-amid-worsening-food-scarcity?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:59:42 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen A report from a leading Beijing university has revived discussions about the “optimal size” of China’s foreign exchange reserves – with a focus on US Treasuries – calling for its world-leading forex holdings to be trimmed to a “moderately ample” level amid the drive to promote further international use of the yuan. The report, written by Sun Jiaqi from Renmin University’s International Monetary Institute and issued on March 13, examined possible ways forward and their implications for China,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347335/global-use-yuan-expands-questions-resurface-about-chinas-world-leading-forex-reserves?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347335/global-use-yuan-expands-questions-resurface-about-chinas-world-leading-forex-reserves?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 14:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen A newly released draft of China’s finance law has proposed measures to combat foreign sanctions, safeguard offshore financial assets and carry out national security checks on certain financial data, as Beijing pursues its financial superpower ambitions amid risks and external complexities. “If any country or region violates international law and the basic norms of international relations by taking discriminatory prohibitions, restrictions or other measures in the financial realm against Chinese... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347371/chinas-finance-law-set-fight-sanctions-protect-assets-and-financial-security?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347371/chinas-finance-law-set-fight-sanctions-protect-assets-and-financial-security?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:00:10 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen The United States’ rapidly mounting sovereign debt pile – which reached an unprecedented US$39 trillion on Wednesday – is becoming “alarmingly unsustainable” and a potential threat to the global economy, with spending likely to spiral even further amid the Iran war, analysts said. It remains unclear whether US President Donald Trump has the political will to rein in borrowing, despite promising to eliminate the national debt while campaigning for office in 2016, and other countries including... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3347192/us-federal-debt-becoming-alarmingly-unsustainable-iran-war-fuels-spending-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3347192/us-federal-debt-becoming-alarmingly-unsustainable-iran-war-fuels-spending-analysts?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Mar 2026 02:00:10 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s leading planemaker is seeking to replicate the C909 regional airliner’s success in Laos, drawing on the experience as it steps up its sales pitch in Southeast Asia – a vital step in its effort to eventually rival Boeing and Airbus. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has ambitious plans in the region and beyond and is laying the groundwork through technical adjustments and regulatory adaptations, according to a company document seen by the South China Morning Post. To... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3346906/china-adapts-c909-jet-operations-laos-blueprint-southeast-asia-and-beyond?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3346906/china-adapts-c909-jet-operations-laos-blueprint-southeast-asia-and-beyond?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 02:00:14 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen President Xi Jinping has vowed to advance the creation of an international port alliance under the Belt and Road Initiative, at a time when the world’s top merchandise exporter confronts mounting challenges to global shipping routes – from the Strait of Hormuz to Panama. An excerpt of his speech, initially given at a closed-door meeting on July 1, 2025, was first published on Monday by Qiushi, the Communist Party’s top theoretical journal. “[China needs to] deeply participate in global ocean... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3346753/xi-pushes-belt-and-road-initiative-port-alliance-amid-iran-war-panama-canal-dispute?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3346753/xi-pushes-belt-and-road-initiative-port-alliance-amid-iran-war-panama-canal-dispute?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen The United States’ decision to launch Section 301 investigations into alleged unfair trade practices by China and several other economies – which could allow Washington to reimpose higher tariffs – is a “bluff” designed to give US President Donald Trump some perceived leverage ahead of his expected trip to China, analysts said. But the threat is unlikely to work on Beijing, which has grown used to the president’s “art of the deal” tactics, they added. “Trump’s move before his China trip is... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346365/trumps-tariff-investigation-bluff-will-not-work-china-analysts-warn?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346365/trumps-tariff-investigation-bluff-will-not-work-china-analysts-warn?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:00:12 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Beijing aims to accelerate the rise of China’s home-grown airliner fleet, including the C909 regional plane, C919 narrowbody and C929 widebody, through 2030. This push to challenge the duopoly of Boeing and Airbus comes as a national five-year plan calls for aircraft production, development and the roll-out of a domestically developed engine. The next five years will prove vital to the success of the three aircraft models and the continued localisation of critical parts such as engines,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346236/chinas-five-year-jet-goals-target-c919-output-new-engine-and-reduced-reliance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346236/chinas-five-year-jet-goals-target-c919-output-new-engine-and-reduced-reliance?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 02:30:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen With its cutting-edge humanoid robots busting moves on the world’s most-watched television programme and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz touring a company factory during a state visit, both within the last month, Unitree Robotics – already a household name in China – has seen its profile move into the stratosphere. And local government officials, eager to burnish their economies by strengthening ties to up-and-coming businesses, have made the domestic start-up’s founder and CEO Wang Xingxing a... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346115/why-chinas-red-hot-tech-push-leaving-some-traditional-sectors-out-cold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3346115/why-chinas-red-hot-tech-push-leaving-some-traditional-sectors-out-cold?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 22:00:13 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China will develop a new financial law and a dedicated financial stability law this year, as Beijing works to defuse risks and prevent new ones as part of its ambition to become a financial superpower. In its work report delivered on Monday, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the country’s top legislative body, said it would also amend existing laws, including the People’s Bank of China Law and the Banking Supervision and Management Law. The work report outlined a broad... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3345973/chinas-financial-superpower-ambitions-get-legal-backing-two-sessions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3345973/chinas-financial-superpower-ambitions-get-legal-backing-two-sessions?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:10 +0000 Kandy Wong,Frank Chen Kandy Wong,Frank Chen Beijing and Washington have begun discussing ways to revive reciprocal investment – a move that could be one of the few deliverables during an upcoming China visit by US President Donald Trump, according to multiple sources. The investment issue was touched upon as working-level officials prepared for Trump’s trip, which is scheduled to take place between March 31 and April 2. However, the potential scope and structure of such investments remain undefined, sources said. One source said both... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3345165/us-china-discuss-investment-revival-ahead-trumps-trip-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3345165/us-china-discuss-investment-revival-ahead-trumps-trip-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Mar 2026 02:00:14 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Ahead of China’s annual legislative meetings – typically a window into Beijing’s top-level policy agenda – this is the second entry in a series examining the complex economic recalibration driving China’s growth philosophy and its wide-ranging implications for local governments, financial investors and private enterprises. Beijing’s campaign to purge the bureaucracy of a growth-at-all-costs mindset has caught some local officials off guard, triggering a mix of confusion and contradictory... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344887/chinas-pivot-gdp-obsession-sparks-cadre-confusion-testing-local-governance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344887/chinas-pivot-gdp-obsession-sparks-cadre-confusion-testing-local-governance?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 02:00:49 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Ahead of China’s annual legislative meetings – typically a window into Beijing’s top-level policy agenda – this is the first entry in a series examining the complex economic recalibration driving China’s growth philosophy and its wide-ranging implications for local governments, financial investors and private enterprises. Beijing’s forceful campaign to instil a “correct” understanding of tenure performance among party cadres may signal Chinese leaders’ determination to downplay headline growth... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344723/china-shifts-cadre-appraisal-metrics-away-pure-gdp-growth-resetting-mindsets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344723/china-shifts-cadre-appraisal-metrics-away-pure-gdp-growth-resetting-mindsets?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:00:09 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen The southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen has handed in a glowing report card of technological and economic development, surpassing Shanghai and Beijing as the nation’s largest manufacturing and exporting city while solidifying a lead in artificial intelligence and start-up cultivation, its mayor has revealed. Shenzhen’s economy grew from 2.83 trillion yuan in 2020 to 3.87 trillion yuan (US$560 billion) in 2025. The city’s annualised growth rate of 5.5 per cent over that period also... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344481/shenzhen-dethrones-shanghai-beijing-chinas-top-industrial-powerhouse-mayor-boasts?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344481/shenzhen-dethrones-shanghai-beijing-chinas-top-industrial-powerhouse-mayor-boasts?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:00:09 +0000 Frank Chen,Ji Siqi Frank Chen,Ji Siqi China’s sprawling export sector is eyeing a brief window of opportunity to front-load shipments to the United States following a Supreme Court ruling that appears to have eased tariff rates – even as industry insiders remain wary of potential shocks ahead. All eyes are now on the coming Beijing summit, where US President Donald Trump is set to meet President Xi Jinping in a visit that could prove decisive for the future of bilateral trade, analysts and exporters said. Chinese goods had been... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3344363/what-next-chinas-export-machine-after-top-us-court-blocks-trumps-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3344363/what-next-chinas-export-machine-after-top-us-court-blocks-trumps-tariffs?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 12:00:34 +0000 Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings China’s leading planemaker is redoubling its efforts to boost the international profile of its home-grown jets in 2026, injecting a sizeable amount of capital into a subsidiary carrier as it attempts to widen its planes’ coverage area and attract more overseas buyers. The state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), manufacturer of the C909 regional airliner and the company’s flagship narrowbody C919, recently infused 634 million yuan (US$91.76 million) into C909 launch customer... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344157/chinas-c909-jet-gets-international-uplift-funding-adoptive-airline?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344157/chinas-c909-jet-gets-international-uplift-funding-adoptive-airline?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Feb 2026 03:00:09 +0000 Frank Chen,Cao Jiaxuan Frank Chen,Cao Jiaxuan US President Donald Trump may find himself wielding less leverage when he heads to China in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that overturned his signature tariff policy, Chinese analysts and exporters say. They said the court’s decision could weaken Trump’s negotiating position with Chinese President Xi Jinping, while potentially offering short-term good news for US-linked exporters in China. The White House confirmed Trump’s China visit on Friday, just as the US Supreme Court ruled the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344217/chinas-xi-set-host-weakened-trump-after-us-supreme-court-tariffs-setback?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344217/chinas-xi-set-host-weakened-trump-after-us-supreme-court-tariffs-setback?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2026 12:03:27 +0000 Frank Chen,Josephine Ma Frank Chen,Josephine Ma US President Donald Trump will travel to China from March 31 to ⁠April 2 for talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the White House has announced. The summit between Trump and Xi, the leaders of the world’s two biggest economies, will be watched closely, particularly in the aftermath of the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Trump’s sweeping tariffs. Observers noted that the court’s decision could leave Trump with less leverage against China during negotiations and might give a... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344195/date-set-us-president-donald-trumps-trip-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3344195/date-set-us-president-donald-trumps-trip-china?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2026 04:09:52 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen President Xi Jinping has deemed the acceleration of consumption and innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence, an essential task as the world’s second-largest economy seeks to overcome challenges in 2026. The president’s priorities, officially laid out before the year began, were revealed to the public in a speech excerpt published on Monday by the ruling Communist Party’s leading theoretical journal. Xi emphasised the need to boost domestic demand, giving it the lion’s share of... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343726/chinas-xi-prioritises-ai-plus-and-consumer-spending-counter-economic-headwinds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343726/chinas-xi-prioritises-ai-plus-and-consumer-spending-counter-economic-headwinds?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Feb 2026 07:58:18 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen In January, James Zimmerman returned to the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) as its chairman. He previously served in that role for four one-year terms in 2007, 2008, 2015 and 2016. A lawyer by training and a resident of China for 28 years, Zimmerman has witnessed the rise of the world’s second-largest economy, the challenges it has faced and the attendant changes to how American businesses operate in the country. In this interview, Zimmerman assesses the potential of US... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3343317/james-zimmerman-how-us-and-china-can-make-2026-year-vision?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3343317/james-zimmerman-how-us-and-china-can-make-2026-year-vision?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 22:00:12 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s premier has vowed the country will consolidate its advantages in traditional industries like rare earths while also striving to accelerate innovation in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, as Beijing prepares to unveil its latest five-year plan. Premier Li Qiang made the call during a visit earlier this week to Ganzhou in the central Chinese province of Jiangxi – one of the world’s largest production bases for heavy rare earth elements, a strategic resource essential... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343328/chinese-premier-tours-rare-earths-production-hub-amid-rising-us-tech-rivalry?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343328/chinese-premier-tours-rare-earths-production-hub-amid-rising-us-tech-rivalry?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:00:15 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen In January, James Zimmerman returned to the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) as its chairman. He previously served in that role for four one-year terms in 2007, 2008, 2015 and 2016. A lawyer by training and a resident of China for 28 years, Zimmerman has witnessed the rise of the world’s second-largest economy, the challenges it has faced and the attendant changes to how American businesses operate in the country. In this interview, Zimmerman assesses the potential of US... https://www.scmp.com/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3343252/amcham-chairmans-2026-wishes-more-us-china-talks-fewer-tariffs-no-shocks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/news/china/diplomacy/article/3343252/amcham-chairmans-2026-wishes-more-us-china-talks-fewer-tariffs-no-shocks?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 02:32:24 +0000 Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's landslide election victory has dimmed hopes that ties between Tokyo and Beijing will significantly improve in the near term, analysts and businesspeople said, though some expect tensions to stabilise over time. Her ruling coalition secured the win on Sunday, strengthening the hand of a leader who infuriated Beijing by outlining how Tokyo might respond to a mainland attack on Taiwan. Enterprises caught in the middle of the dispute would have to tread... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342960/china-japan-dispute-what-next-businesses-after-takaichis-election-sweep?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342960/china-japan-dispute-what-next-businesses-after-takaichis-election-sweep?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Feb 2026 23:30:10 +0000 Ralph Jennings,Frank Chen Ralph Jennings,Frank Chen The maker of China’s expanding family of civilian aircraft has announced new orders for a regional jet and secured a crucial “brain” for its ambitious C929 widebody jet, coinciding with the Singapore Airshow. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) said on Tuesday that it signed a letter of intent for cooperation with Aviage Systems for the C929’s core avionics processing system, according to a Yicai news report. Avionics refer to an aircraft’s electronic systems, including... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3342392/new-brainer-chinas-c929-widebody-lands-partner-power-next-gen-flight-mind?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3342392/new-brainer-chinas-c929-widebody-lands-partner-power-next-gen-flight-mind?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:16:39 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China is seizing its role as the chair and host of Apec 2026 to position itself as a staunch defender of multilateralism, according to analysts, and they see the platform being used to elevate the nation’s economic governance initiatives to a global level. The strategic push was on display at the two-day Finance and Central Bank Deputies’ Meeting that began on Wednesday in Shanghai, where Vice-Minister of Finance Liao Min called on members to uphold multilateralism. “Closer cooperation is... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3342353/new-apec-chair-china-positions-global-defender-pivotal-juncture-while-us-retreats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3342353/new-apec-chair-china-positions-global-defender-pivotal-juncture-while-us-retreats?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Feb 2026 07:41:33 +0000 Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings Frank Chen,Ralph Jennings China’s chief builder of commercial aircraft is displaying its full product line – including its home-grown narrowbody C919 as well as a full surgical cabin on board its regional jet – at the Singapore Airshow as it seeks to widen its footprint in Southeast Asia. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has “set up” a C919 at the twice-yearly expo for a fly-by demonstration, according to independent aviation analyst Li Hanming. The show began on Tuesday and is set to run for six... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342150/chinas-c919-lift-again-singapore-airshow-bid-asean-sales?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342150/chinas-c919-lift-again-singapore-airshow-bid-asean-sales?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 02:00:11 +0000 Frank Chen,Yeon Woo Lee Frank Chen,Yeon Woo Lee When the first cohort of elite foreign captains parachuted into Chinese airlines in the 2000s, their sky-high pay – sometimes reaching 1 million yuan a year – raised eyebrows among their Chinese counterparts. These hotshot aviators, with their international exposure and qualifications, enjoyed a stratospheric level of success in the burgeoning Chinese market. Facing a shortage of experienced pilots, Chinese carriers embraced them with open arms, granting generous benefits and speedy paths to... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342101/chinas-expat-pilots-arrived-red-carpet-now-theyre-taking-red-eye-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342101/chinas-expat-pilots-arrived-red-carpet-now-theyre-taking-red-eye-out?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 22:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) is revving up the design and testing phase of its widebody C929 airliner, marshalling its resources and mobilising its stakeholders to roll out the indigenous jet on schedule – or, potentially, ahead of earlier estimates. Specialists from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) have proactively involved themselves in the C929’s development, the South China Morning Post has learned, with personnel from the national regulator assessing... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342069/chinas-widebody-c929-could-arrive-early-revved-development-plan-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3342069/chinas-widebody-c929-could-arrive-early-revved-development-plan-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Chinese households have accelerated deleveraging – cutting debt relative to gross domestic product – at the fastest pace in years, a shift that could weigh on the consumer spending that Beijing needs to sustain growth in the world’s second-largest economy. The household debt-to-GDP ratio fell by 2 percentage points, from 61.4 per cent in 2024 to 59.4 per cent at the end of 2025, according to data released on Monday by the National Institution for Finance and Development (NIFD), a Beijing-based... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3341435/chinas-consumer-spending-push-faces-major-challenge-debt-averse-households?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3341435/chinas-consumer-spending-push-faces-major-challenge-debt-averse-households?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:00:21 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen President Xi Jinping has stressed the need to advance indigenous technology – particularly artificial intelligence (AI) – in his first formal meeting of the year with ministers and provincial officials, as the world’s second-largest economy pushes innovation-led growth. His message was clear: Beijing would redouble efforts to break development bottlenecks through a “whole-of-nation” approach – a year after start-ups like DeepSeek stunned the world and shone a spotlight on China’s tech... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3341267/xi-jinping-calls-ai-epoch-making-china-pushes-innovation-strategy-flags-risks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3341267/xi-jinping-calls-ai-epoch-making-china-pushes-innovation-strategy-flags-risks?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:00:49 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s leading planemaker is poised for a moderate ramping up of production and deliveries of its C919 narrowbody jet this year, aiming for 28 units or more, with two having already rolled off the production line just three weeks into the new year, according to sources and an industry analyst. While setbacks forced Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) to cut back on its delivery targets last year, a manager briefed on the state-owned giant’s plans said it expected supply chain... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3341030/maker-chinas-c919-jet-set-pick-production-pace-after-delay-sources?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3341030/maker-chinas-c919-jet-set-pick-production-pace-after-delay-sources?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:30:10 +0000 Xiaofei Xu,Frank Chen Xiaofei Xu,Frank Chen China is pushing consumption to grow faster than overall economic expansion as the nation accelerates a shift to domestic demand-driven growth amid external criticism over trade imbalances, a former deputy governor of the People’s Bank of China said at the World Economic Forum. “The policy says consumption growth [should be] stronger than GDP growth … [and] income growth will be higher than GDP growth,” Zhu Min said in Davos, Switzerland, explaining that this is the key performance indicator for... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3340796/china-doubling-down-consumption-route-out-export-reliance-ex-pboc-official?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3340796/china-doubling-down-consumption-route-out-export-reliance-ex-pboc-official?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jan 2026 06:00:02 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen President Xi Jinping has ordered a thorough implementation of central government strategies and policies at local levels, as the world’s second-largest economy rallies efforts to achieve a strong start to its five-year plan amid formidable external challenges and domestic headwinds. The instruction on Tuesday arrived at a delicate time, as Beijing enforces some overriding strategies, such as a whole-of-nation approach to break technological bottlenecks, a campaign to fight vicious price... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3340602/chinas-xi-pushes-holistic-execution-local-cadres-5-year-plan-warns-disparity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3340602/chinas-xi-pushes-holistic-execution-local-cadres-5-year-plan-warns-disparity?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:18:57 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Shanghai has laid out a full spectrum of goals on finance for the next five years and beyond, following an unequivocal push by China’s central leadership to grow the city into an international financial centre. China’s largest city-level economy aims to evolve into a world-class, socialist metropolis by 2035, with an intensified focus on innovation and manufacturing, according to a local document released on Monday. Shanghai unveiled its proposals for the drafting of its own 15th five-year plan,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3340450/shanghai-maps-global-financial-hub-plan-2035-world-class-and-socialist-metropolis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3340450/shanghai-maps-global-financial-hub-plan-2035-world-class-and-socialist-metropolis?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Jan 2026 03:00:11 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen For years, many of mainland China’s art students dreamed of working or studying in Europe. After hours spent poring over the works of the continent’s masters as part of their degree requirements, living where their pieces are preserved, displayed and appreciated would seem a natural fit. But with funding and hiring freezes striking numerous overseas art programmes and museums, that path grows less appealing by the day. Now, rather than relocate to a new continent to further their studies, more... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3338750/mainland-chinas-art-grads-sculpt-career-passports-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3338750/mainland-chinas-art-grads-sculpt-career-passports-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 22:00:13 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen China’s eastern tech powerhouse Zhejiang, home to giants like Alibaba and the humanoid robotics start-up Unitree, has set clear targets to develop cutting-chips and chipmaking equipment over the next five years. The province is the latest locality to prioritise innovation under its new five-year plan. It joins other hubs, including Shenzhen and Shanghai, that have thrown their weight behind Beijing’s nationwide strategy to develop indigenous technologies amid an intensifying rivalry with the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3340050/chinas-zhejiang-targets-3-7-nanometre-ai-chip-breakthroughs-counter-us-chokehold?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3340050/chinas-zhejiang-targets-3-7-nanometre-ai-chip-breakthroughs-counter-us-chokehold?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:00:17 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen European aviation evaluators have begun test flights of China’s home-grown C919 airliner in Shanghai, the Post has learned, as the manufacturer of the narrowbody jet presses ahead with its bid to secure Western safety certification – a crucial step in the journey to global adoption and being able to compete with industry leaders Boeing and Airbus. Two test pilots from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have conducted verification flights, according to a source with knowledge of the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339945/chinas-c919-airliner-put-through-paces-test-pilots-european-aviation-regulator?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339945/chinas-c919-airliner-put-through-paces-test-pilots-european-aviation-regulator?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Frank Chen Frank Chen Shanghai has announced a slew of new investments in hi-tech industries ranging from chips to artificial intelligence (AI) and aviation, becoming the latest Chinese city to unveil ambitious plans to boost local innovation amid an intensifying US-China tech race. The city’s Pudong district unveiled 50 big-ticket projects worth more than 70 billion yuan (US$10 billion) combined on Monday, with most of the investment earmarked to flow into key industries including microchips, AI, biopharmaceuticals,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3338940/shanghai-unveils-us10-billion-investment-spree-us-china-tech-race-heats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3338940/shanghai-unveils-us10-billion-investment-spree-us-china-tech-race-heats?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:00:16 +0000