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TOPIC

Belt and Road Initiative

Belt and Road Initiative
The initiative spearheaded by the Chinese government and endorsed by President Xi Jinping in late 2013 aims to improve trade and economic integration across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
The Pinglu Canal, which stretches 134km (83 miles) across China’s southwestern Guangxi region, is expected to boost trade ties between China and Southeast Asia. Photo: Xinhua
Mainland China

China close to opening US$10 billion canal linking heartlands to Southeast Asia

The vast waterway in China’s southwestern Guangxi region is set to open before the end of 2026, according to state media reports.

China-Latin America relations

Peru’s president refuses to resign over secret meetings with Chinese businessmen

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Middle East

Opinion | Will Iran’s instability force China to rethink its Middle East strategy?

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China economy

China ramps up Belt and Road deals amid US competition

A 75 per cent boom in China’s Belt and Road Initiative last year will help lock in resources for the energy transition and AI rush, as well as extending the country’s global reach.

Photo: Shutterstock Images
China economy

US trade war? China had bigger plans in 2025 as ‘belt and road’ deals surged

China’s global infrastructure strategy logged a record US$213 billion of new deals in 2025, as metals projects in Central Asia soared, report finds.

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US-China relations

Biden administration decision to scrap China Initiative flawed: White House

US top science adviser Michael Kratsios says ceasing programme aimed at combating economic espionage from Beijing ‘damaging’.

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China's economic recovery

China prioritises export controls, supply chains to shield economy in 2026

Commerce ministry also pledges to boost domestic demand, services and two-way investment over coming year.

Beijing has deployed export controls amid the US-China trade war as well as trade and diplomatic disputes with other countries. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Chip sales to China part of US plan to build its own digital silk road: official

Jacob Helberg tells Consumer Electronics Show audience that Gulf partnerships will help to stall Chinese AI advances.

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Infrastructure

China plans 19% high-speed rail expansion by 2030 amid global dominance

Beijing aims to expand the nation’s entire rail network to about 180,000km as part of 2026-2030 infrastructure push, boosting connectivity nationwide.

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China-Latin America relations

Venezuela crisis underscores China’s challenges in Latin America

Washington making an example of Maduro as a ‘warning shot’ would create a ‘chilling effect’ across Latin America, observer says.

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Government supporters gather in Caracas on January 3 after US strikes on Venezuela and the capture of its leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Photo: Reuters
China-Africa relations

How Algeria could help China plug iron ore gaps and gain pricing power

The Gara Djebilet deposit in the Sahara Desert was discovered decades ago but is only now coming into production.

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China’s CRCC has completed laying track on the 6km PK330 Bridge, a final and critical link in a new railway designed to unlock Algeria’s mineral wealth. Photo: CCRC
China economy

Opinion | How China is cementing its central role as the architect of green tech

Beyond climate leadership and capacity building, China is rewriting its own energy system – and the global energy order.

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China-Latin America relations

China pledges aid to Latin America, Caribbean with no ‘political conditions’

Third strategy paper of its kind released as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in a region Washington actively courts.

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Nepal

Nepal charges Chinese contractor with corruption over airport deal

A watchdog alleges the company colluded with ex-ministers to inflate costs and siphon off US$74 million from the Pokhara airport project.

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Staff members wait for the arrival of passengers at Pokhara International Airport in December last year. Photo: China News Service/VCG/Getty Images
US-China relations

Why China may be better placed than US in tussle for rare earths

While Beijing has long engaged with resource-rich nations, Trump’s Washington is seen as more ‘aggressive’ and reactive.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
China-Latin America relations

Trump’s national security blueprint aims to combat China’s rise in Latin America

Framework pledges to stop competitors from threatening the stability and political alignment of neighbouring countries in the region.

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China’s private sector

Deloitte say Hong Kong primed as treasury hub for China’s go-global push

As Chinese companies diversify into Southeast Asia, Latin America and belt and road markets, many are using Hong Kong as a springboard.

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China trade

Explainer | From railways to Labubus: how China Inc. went on a 50-year trip abroad

Chinese companies have steadily expanded their global reach over the past half-century, but it has been a winding, often turbulent journey.

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A container is unloaded onto a truck at a port in Kenya. The expansion of the port and a connecting railway was undertaken with Chinese support. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong economy

Editorial | ‘Partner port’ ties will help Hong Kong navigate global trade volatility

New deals with mainland Chinese and Chilean ports will enhance the city’s status as an international hub for finance, shipping and trading.

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | In betting on Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong is really betting on itself

Hong Kong’s future may lie not in choosing between East and West, but in linking Asia with the Middle East and beyond.

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Open Questions series

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel on Taiwan, the Ukraine war, China-US ties

Zhou Bo ponders Japanese PM Takaichi’s recent remarks, lessons from the Ukraine conflict and why China won’t be world’s policeman.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Hong Kong economy

Letters | Hong Kong should consider easing visa rules for belt and road partners

Readers discuss the difficulties of securing entry to Hong Kong, investing in people’s well-being as an economic strategy, and child protection measures in Singapore.

Commuters in Hong Kong’s Central district on November 19. The Hong Kong government should consider revising current visa policies to strengthen its role as a regional hub for talent. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong politics

Egypt hopes artefact exhibition in Hong Kong will help spur trade and investment

Egyptian consul general Baher Sheweikhi says city plays pivotal role as a connector and mediator between China and North African nation.

Africa

Africa attracts smaller EU nations scrambling for influence

Estonia and Finland are among those seeking to boost their presence on the continent, revamping diplomatic and trade ties over the past five years.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong to ‘radiate’ mainland China’s strengths to aid belt and road nations

City leader John Lee hails humanitarian efforts by CY Leung’s charity GX Foundation at opening ceremony for new headquarters in Sai Ying Pun.

City leader John Lee (second left) former chief executive Leung Chun-ying (second right) attend the ceremony for charity GX Foundation. Photo: Dickson Lee
Banking & finance

China’s US lending, Japan row escalates, G20 summit

This week: China lends huge sums to US and other developed nations, tourists cancel Japan trips amid Taiwan row, and the Netherlands halts seizure of chipmaker Nexperia. Next week: Li Qiang attends G20 summit in Johannesburg as US stays away, US and China may agree rare earths deal, Zhuhai air show takes place and more.

Photo: AFP
Banking & finance

China has lent more to US than any other country since 2000, report finds

China’s lending has been ‘vastly’ larger – and far more skewed towards developed countries – than previously assumed, AidData study finds.

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US-China relations

Opinion | As US and China turn their eyes to Central Asia, Russia loses out

The region that has traditionally been in Russia’s geopolitical orbit is turning into a new arena of competition between the US and China.

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