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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.
A vendor sits at the doorway to her store in Beijing on February 18. China’s leadership is pivoting towards people-centric, consumption-led economic growth. Photo: Getty Images
Two Sessions 2026

China’s pivot from GDP obsession sparks cadre confusion, tests local governance

Governors and mayors must reconcile Beijing’s people-centric mandates with traditional growth targets, navigating vague appraisal changes and performance concepts.

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Two Sessions 2026

China’s leaders outline economic focus ahead of ‘two sessions’ – what to expect

Two Sessions 2026

China’s February Politburo readout

Two Sessions 2026

After years of ‘at-all-costs’ growth, China wants cadres to ditch GDP obsession

Five-month campaign seen prioritising social welfare and long-term sustainability over economic expansion, with debt, fraud and vanity projects in crosshairs.

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A child waves a Chinese flag near Tiananmen Gate in Beijing on February 19. China’s leadership is calling for local-level cadres across the country to do work that “benefits the people”. Photo: AP
China travel

Why China’s travellers spent little, despite rise in Chinese New Year trips

The country logged a record 596 million domestic trips over the extended holiday, but consumers are still reluctant to loosen their purse strings.

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China manufacturing

IMF urges China to focus on consumption-led rebalancing, curb industrial policy

Global monetary body calls on Beijing to roll out more forceful fiscal stimulus to bolster domestic demand amid record trade surplus.

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Lunar New Year

Ne Zha 2 hangover? China’s Lunar New Year box office plunges to 6-year low

China’s holiday box office fell nearly 40 per cent year on year as studios failed to find a breakout hit to match last year’s Ne Zha 2.

People line up to enter a cinema in north China’s Tianjin. Photo: Xinhua
China economy

China’s weak consumption gets Lunar New Year boost

An 8.6 per cent increase in Lunar New Year spending is a rare bright spot in Chinese efforts to bolster domestic demand.

China's economic recovery

Boom or bust? China’s Lunar New Year spending data is in – here is what we know

Initial figures show record travel, shifting spending patterns and a weak box office.

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China travel

Chinese shoppers are Asia’s biggest airport spenders, study finds

China’s travellers outspend even their Indian and Saudi peers, splashing twice the regional average on luxury goods, airport retail study says.

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Customers shop at a duty-free store in China’s southern Hainan province. Chinese travellers spend more at airports than any other passengers in Asia, according to a new study. Photo: Getty Images
Tourism

Why are so many South Korean visitors flocking to China’s Guangzhou?

Safety concerns in Southeast Asia and China’s visa-free travel policy among factors fuelling boom in golf tourism.

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Holiday Islands Golf Club in Guangzhou. Photo: Handout
Lunar New Year

China targets foreign tourists for Lunar New Year ‘consumption feast’

Beijing sees huge untapped potential in spending by inbound travellers as it strives to drive up demand over the crucial nine-day holiday.

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China economy

Strong Lunar New Year demand fuels China’s gold jewellery market

Retailers offer small discounts to spur holiday sales but are set to raise prices after the festival, as investment banks issue bullish outlooks.

Retailing

Sam’s Club cracks China market formula even as foreign retailers shut shop

The warehouse retailer opened 10 new stores in 2025, accelerating expansion in smaller cities like Zhangjiagang and Yangzhou.

Shoppers at Sam’s Club in Hangzhou on February 1, 2026. The retailer has introduced products catering to local tastes in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year holiday. Photo: Weibo
China's economic recovery

China’s Xi prioritises ‘AI-plus’ and consumer spending to counter economic risks

Previously unreleased comments by Xi urge income growth and tech breakthroughs, potentially setting stage for measures ahead of March’s parliamentary meetings.

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A humanoid robot is pictured, with a big AI logo on the ceiling, at the 2025 Global Industrial Internet Conference in China’s Liaoning province on September 6. Photo: Xinhua
Mainland China

‘Disgusting’: pre-made Lunar New Year meals lose lustre for Chinese families

Food fight between star influencer and restaurant chain becomes a hot potato at reunion dinner tables as hosts pick quality over convenience.

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Asian cinema: Chinese films

China’s Spring Festival box office faces plot twist after 2025 smashed records

Home-grown films lead the charge but fail to meet the phenomenal success of last year’s Ne Zha 2, which attracted record-breaking crowds.

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Mainland China

China’s gold rush: why families are doubling down on precious metals

Gold is becoming more popular in China ahead of the Lunar New Year, with households viewing the asset as a safety net amid an uncertain economy.

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Decorative items made of gold are displayed at a jewellery store in Beijing on January 28. Photo: EPA-EFE
Pop Mart

Pop Mart balances boom and bust: can Labubu’s leap match Molly’s momentum?

As Labubu’s meteoric rise cools, Molly’s longevity highlights the challenge Pop Mart faces in turning hype into stable intellectual property.

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Meituan

Meituan warns of US$3.5 billion loss amid intense food delivery price war

Food delivery giant expects losses to continue into at least the first quarter of 2026 ‘due to ongoing competition’.

China's economic recovery

China overhauls CPI basket, with never-before-seen unveiling of its composition

Beijing’s five-year recalibration aims to better reflect consumption, as policymakers shift weight away from food and housing.

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For China’s consumer price index (CPI) basket, Beijing has increased the weight of transport and communications to 14.3 per cent in its latest five-year adjustment. Photo: Getty Images
US-China relations

Open Questions | AmCham chairman urges more US-China talks, fewer tariffs

James Zimmerman on US businesses’ desire for stable bilateral relations and fair treatment by China, and why Hong Kong autonomy matters.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Mainland China

Time on happy hour as French wine and spirit sales sour in mainland China, US

French alcohol exports to mainland China and the US dropped by 19.5 and 21 per cent in 2025 as tariffs stifled global trade.

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China deflation

China’s consumer price growth cools as inflation outlook remains unclear

Consumer price index rose for a fourth straight month in January, though the increase fell short of market expectations.

Yuan

China keen to realise ambitions for digital currency amid slow uptake

Despite record transactions last year, most users prefer alternatives – while Beijing likely to maintain gradual expansion, analysts say.

A booth promoting the digital yuan in Beijing on September 2, 2022. Photo: AP
China travel

China’s cruise industry passes major milestone as Beijing eyes travel boom

As domestic liner handles 1 millionth passenger, Beijing says it aims to turn yachts and cruise ships into major new consumption drivers.

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The Adora Magic City is the first Chinese-made large cruise ship. Photo: Getty Images
Food and agriculture

China failed to hit 2025 soybean meal dependence target. US deal makes it harder

Beijing sees soybeans as the agricultural industry’s biggest vulnerability, while plans to cut their use in animal feed have little success.

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China GDP

China’s future growth rate could drop to 2.5% without market reforms: economist

China will struggle to keep growth above 4 per cent unless there is a ‘strong turnaround’ in productivity and consumer spending, economist warns.

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