https://www.scmp.com/rss/523265/feed The latest news and top stories on State Council, the highest state administrative organ and executive arm of the National People's Congress. Its primary mission involves implementing state policies, laws and managing the national economy, finances and foreign affairs. The State Council oversees various ministries and commissions, providing public services and ensuring national security. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP Reporters SCMP Reporters This document was translated from Chinese into English using Alibaba’s Qwen3.6-Plus, then checked and tweaked for accuracy by a Post journalist. It is for reference only, and is not the official English version of the original Chinese document. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3349381/explaining-chinas-supply-chain-security-rules?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3349381/explaining-chinas-supply-chain-security-rules?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:16:37 +0000 Emily Hung,Olga Wong Emily Hung,Olga Wong Retired civil servant Janice Tse Siu-wa has been appointed the new secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs, with her top priority being the formulation of Hong Kong’s first five-year plan. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Monday that he had nominated the 61-year-old Tse to the State Council because of her strong passion for the five-year plan and capability, stemming from her 38 years of working for the government. “The first local five-year plan must be formulated within this... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3348334/janice-tse-appointed-new-constitutional-and-mainland-affairs-chief-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3348334/janice-tse-appointed-new-constitutional-and-mainland-affairs-chief-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 01:38:26 +0000 Ji Siqi Ji Siqi Chinese government advisers are calling for government-set “red lines” in artificial intelligence development and applications, as mounting threats of job displacement and data security challenges spark concerns in the country. Jiang Xiaojuan, former deputy secretary general of the State Council, said at the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference in Hainan province that precaution was needed when using AI simply to reduce labour costs. “Those that do not improve service quality or promote... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347940/job-fears-security-risks-spark-call-chinese-government-red-lines-ai-applications?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3347940/job-fears-security-risks-spark-call-chinese-government-red-lines-ai-applications?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:08 +0000 Enoch Yiu Enoch Yiu The former managing director and chief China economist of bourse operator Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), Ba Shusong, has not appeared in public recently and could not be contacted, according to two sources familiar with the situation. Ba is important academic who frequently gave speeches at major conferences over the past decade on behalf of HKEX, speaking about Hong Kong’s role as a connector between mainland China and the world. Mainland media outlets reported that Ba was missing,... https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3347879/former-hong-kong-exchange-executive-ba-shusong-reported-out-public-sight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3347879/former-hong-kong-exchange-executive-ba-shusong-reported-out-public-sight?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:30:21 +0000 Luna Sun Luna Sun Richard Liu, founder of China’s retail giant JD.com, has launched a nautical brand to build out the country’s yacht industry, riding a wave of policy support to tap a fast-growing domestic market and make the vessels – traditionally associated with affluence and luxury – accessible to “everyday consumers”. Liu’s brand, Sea Expandary, signed a strategic framework agreement on Tuesday with the coastal cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai in Guangdong, China’s southern powerhouse province, for a high-end... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344583/boat-every-dock-chinese-billionaire-unveils-plan-mass-yacht-production?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3344583/boat-every-dock-chinese-billionaire-unveils-plan-mass-yacht-production?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 10:30:07 +0000 Yeon Woo Lee Yeon Woo Lee China and South Korea have had a turbulent relationship over the past few years as they compete across a range of hi-tech industries. But the two countries now appear to be bonding over a shared challenge: their rapidly ageing societies. The issue has featured on the agenda of several meetings between President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in recent months, with the leaders pledging to work together to deal with the economic changes being wrought by their nations’ low... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343740/china-and-south-korea-find-new-shared-bond-their-rapidly-ageing-societies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343740/china-and-south-korea-find-new-shared-bond-their-rapidly-ageing-societies?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:10 +0000 Denise Tsang,Fiona Sun Denise Tsang,Fiona Sun Safeguarding national security is crucial for Hong Kong to fully implement the “one country, two systems” governing principle and ensure the city’s stability, which will aid its development and attract foreign investors. That was the key takeaway from a high-level meeting hosted by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Saturday to discuss a white paper issued by Beijing earlier this week, only the third such report released by the State Council on local affairs since 2014. The document focused on... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3343584/protecting-national-security-seen-key-hong-kongs-stability?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3343584/protecting-national-security-seen-key-hong-kongs-stability?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 10:37:37 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang Beijing has issued a central directive to dismantle the administrative walls dividing China’s electricity sector, signalling a decisive shift towards a unified national power market designed to support the country’s energy security and green transition. A decade into its power-sector overhaul, China is doubling down on market unity during the just-started 15th five-year planning period. These structural shifts are widely seen as indispensable to the nation’s 2030 carbon-peak target, as the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343329/china-dismantle-local-power-protectionism-push-electrify-national-grid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3343329/china-dismantle-local-power-protectionism-push-electrify-national-grid?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:30:14 +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 Matthew Cheng,Jeffie Lam Matthew Cheng,Jeffie Lam Beijing has issued a white paper on Hong Kong’s role in safeguarding national security under the “one country, two systems” principle, stressing that the city’s struggle on this front “is persistent” and a “long-term and enduring task”. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Tuesday that the paper, published a day after former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying was sentenced to 20 years in prison for national security crimes, served as a stern warning to “traitors who betrayed the country and Hong... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3342990/hong-kongs-national-security-work-ongoing-process-beijing-says-white-paper?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3342990/hong-kongs-national-security-work-ongoing-process-beijing-says-white-paper?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:44:39 +0000 Ji Siqi,Sylvia Ma Ji Siqi,Sylvia Ma China has launched a market competition probe and assessment for its food delivery platforms, the State Council announced on Friday, a move analysts said was an affirmation of the country’s determination to continue to combat self-defeating competition. “Recently, issues such as excessive subsidies, price wars and control over traffic flow in the online food delivery platform service industry have become prominent,” according to a statement issued by the Anti-Monopoly and Anti-Unfair Competition... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339342/china-probe-food-delivery-platforms-under-anti-monopoly-law?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3339342/china-probe-food-delivery-platforms-under-anti-monopoly-law?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jan 2026 09:17:12 +0000 Enoch Yiu Enoch Yiu Mainland China will cut or waive value-added tax (VAT) on the resale of homes by individuals from Thursday, in its latest move to shore up a property market that has been stuck in a prolonged slump. Under the new rules, individuals who sell a residential property within two years of buying it will pay VAT at 3 per cent, down from 5 per cent, according to a joint statement released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration. The policy does not apply to corporate... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3338209/beijing-trims-property-resale-tax-fresh-push-stabilise-housing-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3338209/beijing-trims-property-resale-tax-fresh-push-stabilise-housing-market?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:25:51 +0000 Alice Li Alice Li The State Council has approved draft regulations for implementing China’s new value-added tax (VAT) law, which is aimed at governing the country’s largest source of tax revenue and set to come into effect early next year. The regulations, released for public consultation in August and approved on Friday, give detailed rules for enforcing the VAT law. Approval by the cabinet signals the regulations are moving closer to finalisation ahead of the law’s expected implementation. The VAT law was... https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3337231/chinas-cabinet-clears-path-vat-law-take-effect-next-month?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3337231/chinas-cabinet-clears-path-vat-law-take-effect-next-month?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Dec 2025 09:06:43 +0000 Brian Y. S. Wong Brian Y. S. Wong Given the breakneck speed of technological and commercial developments across the world, China is perhaps one of only a few sovereign states with a comprehensive strategy on both artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. The Chinese state philosophy in AI development is anchored in diffusion, as opposed to maximising the cutting-edge performance of select generative or reasoning models. While American and European investors are lured by the prospects of superintelligent and humanoid robots,... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3336289/protection-vulnerable-workers-must-be-part-chinas-ai-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3336289/protection-vulnerable-workers-must-be-part-chinas-ai-strategy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:30:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial A record foreign trade surplus of more than US$1 trillion for the first 11 months, while domestic demand remained relatively weak, set the scene for meetings about next year’s economic development of the Politburo and the central economic work conference. As a result, 2026 is shaping up as the year of the domestic economy, aided by pro-growth policy measures to stimulate demand. The economic work conference – the annual gathering of the Central Committee and the State Council – sets the overall... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3336364/hong-kong-has-role-play-building-strong-unified-national-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3336364/hong-kong-has-role-play-building-strong-unified-national-market?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Dec 2025 22:45:15 +0000 Sylvia Ma,Ji Siqi Sylvia Ma,Ji Siqi China has pledged to build a robust domestic market to counter external risks following a high-level policy meeting – a strategy that analysts say signals more pro-growth measures and a better balance between supply and demand. The central economic work conference – an annual gathering of the Central Committee of the ruling Communist Party and the State Council, China’s cabinet – concluded on Thursday with a nationwide call to “strengthen our own capabilities to cope with external challenges”,... https://www.scmp.com/economy/policy/article/3336076/china-stresses-domestic-demand-after-closely-watched-economic-conference?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/policy/article/3336076/china-stresses-domestic-demand-after-closely-watched-economic-conference?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:47:50 +0000 Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma China unveiled a 13-point plan to attract private capital into railways, nuclear reactors and other infrastructure projects, breaking with a traditional reliance on state funding in these sectors. Private investors will be able to take stakes surpassing 10 per cent, the State Council said on Monday. Any project needing central government approval will have to detail the feasibility of attracting private investment if “certain returns” are expected (See SCMP Plus Between the Lines). “Private... https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3332470/chinas-new-private-sector-liberalisation-spreads-infrastructure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3332470/chinas-new-private-sector-liberalisation-spreads-infrastructure?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Nov 2025 09:00:54 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu This document was translated from Chinese into English using Alibaba’s Qwen3, then checked and tweaked for accuracy by a Post journalist. It is for reference only, and is not the official English version of the original Chinese document. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3332457/state-councils-13-measures-promote-private-investment?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/article/3332457/state-councils-13-measures-promote-private-investment?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Nov 2025 07:26:42 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu China has unveiled new measures designed to channel private capital into traditionally state-funded infrastructure projects, as Beijing steps up efforts to reduce investment restrictions and bolster the private economy. The 13-point document released on Monday by China’s cabinet, the State Council, includes measures to encourage private investment in major projects in a range of sectors – from power generation to transport. “Private investment serves as a key barometer reflecting economic... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3332323/rail-nuclear-power-china-taps-private-capital-fund-major-projects?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3332323/rail-nuclear-power-china-taps-private-capital-fund-major-projects?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Nov 2025 08:00:04 +0000 Carol Yang Carol Yang China has suspended retaliatory port fees on US-linked vessels for one year, following Washington’s pause of similar charges under its “Section 301” investigation targeting the Chinese maritime sector. After months of uncertainty over the rival port fees, which took effect on October 14, the shipping industry can finally breathe a sigh of relief as both sides formally confirmed the pause. In line with the outcomes of the US-China trade talks in Kuala Lumpur, the Ministry of Transport said the... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3332194/china-us-suspend-rival-port-fees-latest-trade-war-thaw?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3332194/china-us-suspend-rival-port-fees-latest-trade-war-thaw?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:01:40 +0000 Sylvia Ma Sylvia Ma China’s State Council has called for the faster development and wider rollout of large-scale testing and application environments for new technologies, as Beijing pushes to boost commercialisation and build a world-leading industrial base. The country should “focus on the frontiers of industrial development and key technological challenges, and prioritise the layout of new application scenarios in emerging fields and tracks, high-value niche areas and cross-regional and cross-sector domains,”... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3331318/china-calls-faster-broader-adoption-advanced-tech-cement-industrial-power?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3331318/china-calls-faster-broader-adoption-advanced-tech-cement-industrial-power?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Nov 2025 08:14:03 +0000 Vincent Chow Vincent Chow Chinese chip designer Cambricon Technologies and artificial intelligence company SenseTime have teamed up to advance the country’s efforts to become self-reliant in AI infrastructure, according to a social media post on Wednesday. The two companies intend to leverage their respective hardware and software expertise to promote “a new indigenous AI development paradigm”, according to a WeChat post by SenseTime, in response to the “AI Plus” strategy unveiled in August by the State Council, China’s... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3329146/cambricon-sensetime-form-strategic-cooperation-support-chinas-tech-self-reliance-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3329146/cambricon-sensetime-form-strategic-cooperation-support-chinas-tech-self-reliance-push?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 02:00:14 +0000 Nong Hong Nong Hong China’s decision to establish a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal – known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines – has hit regional headlines as the plan involving the contested South China Sea feature swiftly became a diplomatic flashpoint. Approved by China’s State Council and announced by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the plan covers some 3,500 hectares of ecologically sensitive reef and waters, divided into “core” and “experimental”... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3325981/what-scarborough-nature-reserve-plan-means-south-china-sea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3325981/what-scarborough-nature-reserve-plan-means-south-china-sea?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 23 Sep 2025 21:30:09 +0000 Genevieve Donnellon-May Genevieve Donnellon-May Can artificial intelligence become the backbone of a nation’s economy and society? China is betting big on it. On August 26, the State Council released a high-level directive about the “AI Plus” initiative, marking the next stage of the country’s AI ambitions. First mentioned in the 2024 government work report as a broad slogan and reaffirmed in the 2025 edition, the initiative now comes with concrete targets, timelines and sectoral priorities. Importantly, the directive is the most detailed... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3325868/china-banking-ai-next-driver-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3325868/china-banking-ai-next-driver-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 21 Sep 2025 08:30:10 +0000 Xinyi Wu Xinyi Wu China is making a renewed push to boost service consumption by relaxing market access and increasing supply – across sectors such as culture, sports and healthcare – as Beijing doubles down on expanding domestic demand for economic growth. The measures, which also include strengthening fiscal support and investments, were released in a 19-point set of guidelines jointly released by the Ministry of Commerce and nine other departments on Tuesday. Authorities pledged to further open up the culture... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3325829/china-pulls-out-stops-get-people-spending-19-consumption-minded-measures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3325829/china-pulls-out-stops-get-people-spending-19-consumption-minded-measures?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:04:11 +0000 Holly Chik Holly Chik China’s State Council has vowed to remove hidden barriers holding back private investment and also address the concerns of private entrepreneurs, as the world’s second largest economy intensifies efforts to meet its annual growth target and stabilise the job market. The council – China’s cabinet – held an executive meeting on Friday chaired by Premier Li Qiang. The meeting emphasised the goal of creating a fair and competitive market environment, where private enterprises could invest... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3325431/china-vows-safeguard-support-private-investment-boost-confidence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3325431/china-vows-safeguard-support-private-investment-boost-confidence?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Sep 2025 11:00:11 +0000 Mandy Zuo Mandy Zuo China is aiming to build a 7 trillion yuan (US$980 billion) sports sector by 2030 – complete with a series of “internationally influential” sports companies and events – as the world’s second-largest economy shifts to a consumption-driven mode, according to a new central government directive. Seeking to spur economic growth through sports consumption, the 20-measure directive issued on Thursday by the State Council, China’s cabinet, vowed to promote low-altitude sports events, foster the “ice... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3324467/global-games-outdoor-activities-china-aims-us980-billion-sports-economy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3324467/global-games-outdoor-activities-china-aims-us980-billion-sports-economy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Sep 2025 09:00:11 +0000 Mandy Zuo Mandy Zuo A local government in China’s provincial economic powerhouse of Zhejiang has announced plans to subsidise the restaurant meals of high-value consumers, in a move that is intended to stimulate consumption but could raise questions about whether it runs contrary to the central government’s austerity drive. Shaoxing – a city known for its textile industry and a prized variety of cooking wine – will offer subsidies of up to 5,000 yuan (US$700) to banquet holders if they host five or more tables and... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3324200/local-chinese-governments-stimulus-plan-entices-big-spenders-dig-while-dining-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3324200/local-chinese-governments-stimulus-plan-entices-big-spenders-dig-while-dining-out?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:00:14 +0000 Cao Li Cao Li Mainland Chinese companies listed onshore recorded a total net profit of 3 trillion yuan (US$420 billion) in the first half of the year, an increase of 2.5 per cent from a year earlier, the China Association for Public Companies said in a report on Tuesday. Nearly 60 per cent of the 5,432 listed companies registered revenue growth, while more than three quarters made a profit, reflecting a more optimised business structure, a sharper focus on technology and innovation and increasing shareholder... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3324136/mainland-chinese-listed-companies-first-half-profit-rises-25-3-trillion-yuan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3324136/mainland-chinese-listed-companies-first-half-profit-rises-25-3-trillion-yuan?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Sep 2025 04:27:47 +0000