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China consumption

China consumption
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China consumption. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Photo: EPA
China inflation

China prices pick up, Venezuela raid fallout, Carney visit

This week: China inflation hits highest since February 2023, US abduction of Venezuela’s Maduro spurs criticism, Meta-Manus deal draws scrutiny. Next week: Canada’s Carney visits China, December trade figures come out, Jimmy Lai returns to court in Hong Kong and more.

China inflation

China’s consumer prices stay flat in 2025 amid focus on price wars

US-China trade war

China says US trade war, tech curbs have spurred ‘independent innovation’

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Banking & finance

China signals flexible use of monetary tools in 2026 to support 5-year plan

Boosting domestic demand, addressing debt risks and promoting yuan’s international use also priorities for coming year.

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The People’s Bank of China has announced a series of goals for 2026, from promoting cross-border yuan use to increasing domestic consumption and managing debt risks. Photo: Shutterstock
China trade

China, South Korea sign US$44 million in trade deals after years of friction

High-level summit strengthens bilateral ties after years of strained relations, as China shores up regional relationships amid row with Japan.

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China economy

Opinion | Why China is still struggling to ‘invest in people’

To boost demand, Beijing must upend its long-held mantra of production over livelihoods and investment over consumption.

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Tourism

Travellers hoof it in China as horseback tourism makes strides

As Year of the Horse approaches, tourism operators are saddling up to capture enthusiasm for equestrian activity.

Riders perform at the opening ceremony of the Mongolian Horse Super League in Xiliin Gol, in China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, in July. Photo: Xinhua
China’s film industry

China’s box office up 22% in 2025 to US$7.4 billion, led by smash hit Ne Zha 2

World’s second-largest movie market sees domestic films capture nearly 80 per cent of sales, while Disney’s Zootopia sequel sets new high for imported titles.

China inflation

China must take action to avoid Japan-style deflation spiral, scholars warn

Unless Beijing introduces more forceful policies, consumers could get locked into a mindset that is ‘nearly impossible to break’, scholars say.

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China travel

China’s service sector shines as holidaymakers eye bespoke adventures with pets

While broader consumption remains soft, demand for personalised itineraries and snow sports is growing, offering a boost to the holiday economy.

More Chinese travellers are pivoting from mass-market sightseeing to bespoke adventures, fuelling a surge in demand for pet-friendly itineraries and winter excursions. Photo: Getty Images
Tourism

China’s Gen Z consumers drive rise in homestay bookings to ring in the new year

Gen Z travellers made up more than 50 per cent of total homestay bookings for the 2026 New Year’s holiday period.

Bookings for stand-alone villas during the 2026 New Year’s holiday period have surged, according to Tujia. Photo: Shutterstock
China's economic recovery

China rolls out trade-in funding for 2026 as campaign to spur spending continues

The programme, which has helped stimulate consumption increases, will continue to subsidise purchases of big-ticket goods and refurbishments.

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China economy

Opinion | How China’s home-grown luxury labels took on Western brands

Chinese brands are gaining ground at home and worldwide as domestic consumers increasingly turn to labels with Chinese imagery and values.

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China manufacturing

China’s factory activity breaks 8-month contraction, but headwinds persist

China’s manufacturing PMI rose to 50.1 in December, but analysts said it was too early to point to a sustained recovery.

A major indicator of China’s factory activity returned to expansion in December, after eight straight months of contraction. Photo: AFP
Hainan

China’s Hainan hosts duty-free shopping spree under new customs regime

A flurry of activity accompanied the official establishment of the island’s tariff and tax exemptions - but will the frenzy last?

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The Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Haikou, capital of Hainan province. Photo: Xinhua
China's economic recovery

Consumer demand and public services top China’s financial priorities for 2026

National fiscal work conference ends in Beijing with pledge to spur domestic market.

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China-EU relations

Wild goose chase? France works to rouse China’s appetite for foie gras imports

French producers hope their famed pate can win a slice of China’s market, but price sensitivities and domestic competition could mean their goose is cooked.

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China's economic recovery

China broadens foreign investment list in renewed pitch for overseas capital

The catalogue, which lists the sectors carrying policy incentives for overseas investors, has hundreds of new entries, many in advanced manufacturing.

China’s revised catalogue of encouraged industries has added many sectors, including medical equipment. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images
China economy

Hard work, long hours fuelled China’s rise. Now, it weighs longer breaks

China, one of the world’s hardest-working countries, is adopting incentives to increase time off – and potentially boost consumer spending.

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China economy

Editorial | China’s resolve to invest in people is economic good sense

The government’s plan to invest in people as well as physical assets is aimed at improving domestic demand while aiding low-income households.

China property

China vows city-specific fixes to clear housing glut, stabilise property sector

Housing minister pledges to empower local governments to buy unsold inventory and shift towards selling only finished homes with a ‘what you see is what you get’ model.

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Residential buildings are seen under construction in Fuyang, Anhui province, on December 15. Photo: Getty Images
Yuan

What China’s global yuan push looks like – and what could hold it back

Currency sees wider use in trade, but high domestic savings and partial capital controls still act as constraints, analysis shows.

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The yuan has seen a notable rise as a settlement currency in China’s international trade flows. Photo: Shutterstock
Banking & finance

China to hide bad debt records for pandemic-hit borrowers who repay small loans

New policy by the People’s Bank of China applies to one-off debts up to 10,000 yuan incurred since 2020, aiming to help people rebuild credit.

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Retailing

From taboo to trendy: China’s second-hand luxury market cashes in on resale boom

Driven by an uneven recovery and property crisis, value-conscious shoppers are powering a second-hand boom as platforms use tech to verify authenticity and overcome stigma.

McDonald's

Not lovin’ it: Chinese fume at McDonald’s prices, costlier ‘poor man’s meal’

Fast-food giant increases menu items by 0.5 to 1 yuan, testing pricing power in a deflationary market where per-capita dining spending has been plunging.

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A woman sits on a swing attached to a giant McDonald’s logo in Beijing. Photo: Reuters
China economy

Policy body urges China to confront economic challenges, confident of recovery

Official cites headwinds from imbalances between supply and demand, but says outlook is bright.

People choose food at an AI-powered canteen in Hebei province’s Xiongan New Area last month. Photo: Xinhua
China economy

‘Invest in people’: how a new slogan signals a pivot in China’s economic policy

Beijing is expected to strengthen investment in welfare, pensions, education and other public services to unleash domestic demand, analysts say.

Mainland China

As China’s retail sales slow, new policy package aims to get consumers spending

Beijing asks financial institutions to help increase domestic demand by making it easier to access credit and shifting focus to services.

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