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China economy

China economy
Breaking news and analysis on China’s economy, including its opening up, the US-China trade war, the impact of tariffs and trade talks, growth rates and other key economic data, the Belt and Road Initiative, and Greater Bay Area plan.
Illustration: Craig Stephens
China society

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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Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can complement Hainan’s free-trade port

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China property

Property industry an enemy within for Beijing’s economic targets

Banking & finance

China’s wealthy swap real estate for insurance, gold as retirement looms

Declining returns on property are prompting China’s affluent to diversify their investments, including high-value insurance policies and gold.

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According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s new home prices in 70 cities fell by 2.2 percent year-on-year in September 2025, easing from a 2.5 percent decline in the previous month. Photo: EPA
China consumption

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.

China energy security

China vows to ramp up west-to-east power as AI, hi-tech industries fuel demand

New targets include a major expansion of renewable energy and more electricity funnelled to eastern regions.

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US-China relations

Trump orders Chinese-linked firm HieFo to divest US chip assets

Chinese-linked company ordered to unwind its acquisition of US semiconductor assets, citing national security concerns.

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US President Donald Trump is blocking HieFo from acquiring semiconductor-related assets from Emcore, citing national security worries. Photo: AP
Science

China’s biopharma sector ‘in prime position to challenge US leadership’

American commission issues stark warning, as analytics firm Clarivate reports that Chinese innovative drug development has entered new phase.

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United States

Opinion | As the US struggles with affordability, consumer confidence eludes China

While many have soured on globalisation, protectionism has also failed to guarantee people’s desire for affordability and financial security.

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China trade

China’s diplomatic divide: red carpet for Seoul, cold shoulder for Tokyo firms

While Tokyo’s corporate leaders stay home amid fallout from prime minister’s remarks on Taiwan, Beijing prepares to welcome South Korean president and top executives.

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A meeting between President Xi Jinping and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is expected in the coming days. Photo: Shutterstock
China's economic recovery

No ‘piecemeal’ steps: Chinese journal urges more support for property sector

Top Communist Party journal calls on officials to roll out a stronger policy package in one go, rather than following ‘piecemeal-style’ approach.

People pass by half-finished buildings in Beijing. China’s property market has been mired in a downturn since 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE
China consumption

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.

IPO

Hong Kong retakes IPO crown

Hong Kong topped global initial public offerings (IPOs) for the first time in six years in 2025 after fundraising more than tripled aided by deals from battery maker CATL and miner Zijin Gold.

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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New cars are advertised for sale at deep discounts at a showroom in Chengdu, southwest China. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can take on a more frontier role in China’s development

City can go beyond ‘superconnector’ role to be a ‘co-architect of rules’ and become more proactive in areas Beijing deems strategically critical.

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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (right), at the opening ceremony for the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Northern Metropolis, with (from left) Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po and Executive Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Xu Qifang on December 22. Photo: Eugene Lee
China trade

How the ‘world’s supermarket’ rode out Trump’s tariffs – and grew even stronger

Yiwu, one of China’s biggest export hubs, was expected to take a hit from US tariffs. Instead, it has seen trade surge.

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Mainland China

Opinion | As history makes clear, a powerful China is not expansionist

China was an unmatched power in the Song and Ming dynasties, with greater concentrated authority. But it consolidated, rather than colonised.

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Banking & finance

Macroscope | What to expect from Chinese stocks in 2026

While the underperformance of Chinese equities in the last financial quarter warrants scrutiny, overall gains are likely to continue in 2026.

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A woman poses for a photo next to The Bund Bull sculpture in Shanghai on April 9, 2025. Photo: AFP
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.

China’s private sector

Small restaurants in China starve as consumers suppress spending appetite

Per-capita spending per meal has dropped nearly 24 per cent since 2023, data provider says, as property slump sows uncertainty.

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China society

Opinion | Key lessons from China’s ascent over the past 25 years

The country’s rise was shaped less by a single turning point than by its commitment to long-term planning, meritocracy and global engagement.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
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 manufacturing

China’s next decade to cement status as hi-tech manufacturing power: reports

The coming 10 years will see significant advances in cutting-edge sectors, reinforcing industrial dominance, according to new reports.

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US-China relations

Open Questions | How new C100 chief plans to foster ties between Chinese-Americans and China

The Committee of 100’s president Paul Cheung has high hopes for Chinese-Americans’ relationship with China in these uncertain times.

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Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Is Hainan the next Hong Kong? That’s the wrong question to ask

If it leverages its special status to enhance Hainan’s experiment, Hong Kong would not be boosting a rival but securing its own indispensable role.

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People shop at Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Haikou, south China’s Hainan province, on December 18. Photo: Xinhua
China trade

China’s January 1 silver curbs to deepen global crunch amid volatility: analysts

Beijing’s new export-licensing system seen squeezing foreign buyers, pushing price towards US$100 an ounce; Elon Musk joins warning chorus.

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Bars of silver are stacked at a processing plant in Glogow, Poland. Spot silver briefly surpassed US$80 an ounce for the first time in December. Photo: Reuters
China trade

China imposes beef-import quota, adds over-quota tariffs to guard local industry

From Thursday, over-quota imports from Brazil, Australia, US and other trade partners face new duties to help local producers recover amid price declines.

China’s Communist Party

In New Year’s speech, Xi urges growth, vows ‘unstoppable’ Taiwan reunification

President Xi Jinping also praises Chinese innovation, noting advancements in AI, chip development, aerospace and military technology.

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