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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.
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
Belt and Road Initiative

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 trade

Beyond borders: Beijing equips Chinese firms for global stage amid trade jitters

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China technology

‘Epoch-making’: Xi Jinping urges home-grown AI breakthroughs – but flags risks

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Mainland China

China needs silver and young spenders, plus policy support, for growth: HSBC

Longest Lunar New Year holiday ever will provide a tailwind, but growth could falter without more supportive measures, analysts say.

People view Pop Mart’s Labubu products at the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing on September 12, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
Banking & finance

In a turbulent world, funding Asia’s critical infrastructure a ‘duty’: AIIB

New president says private capital and international cooperation essential to funding infrastructure projects across continent.

IPO

Chinese drinks maker Eastroc’s US$1.3 billion Hong Kong IPO gives it wings

Shanghai-listed firm is selling 40.9 million shares for HK$248 each, which would give it a market cap of about US$21 billion.

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Commodities

Gold surge has analysts eyeing new highs after US$5,100 record

Safe-haven demand spikes amid de-dollarisation fears and supply-chain tensions, as gold buyers seek stability against growing macro uncertainties.

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Analysts expect the price of gold to continue climbing this year, building on a safe-haven surge. Photo: AFP
China airliners

Exclusive | Maker of China’s C919 airliner set to ramp up production: sources

With 8 of the 15 planes made last year delivered to customers in November and December, a source said supply chain snags seem to be diminishing.

Artificial intelligence

Open Questions | Jeffrey Ding on why diffusion, not innovation, is the secret to AI success

Professor says a ‘diffusion marathon’, where AI is gradually embedded in an economy over decades, will determine the winner of US-China tech war.

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China digital currency

Opinion | Talk of digital yuan challenging dollar dominance misses real power shift

China is merely building parallel capabilities. Whether the systems remain complementary or become competitive depends on how others respond.

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People walk past an e-CNY sign at the 2021 China International Fair for Trade in Services, in Beijing on September 5, 2021. Photo: Xinhua
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese carmaker BYD chases 24% export growth with new models, more showrooms

Shenzhen-based company expects to sell 1.3 million cars this year outside mainland China.

Cars unloaded from the ship BYD Changzhou await further movement at a port in Argentina on January 19, 2026. Photo: AFP
China's population

‘Loneliness economy’: how China is adapting to a rapid rise in solo living

The viral success of check-in app Are You Dead? has exposed the vast demand for services catering to China’s rapidly growing single population.

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Mainland China

Video | ‘If it gets any colder, you couldn’t take it’

In China’s Hebei province, rural residents say they cannot afford to heat their homes enough after the switch to natural gas from coal.

China travel

Foreigners flock to China’s ice and snow sights, with 130% inbound tourism spike

Freezing temperatures will not dampen the spirits of snow seekers, as China cements its reputation as the world’s ultimate winter playground.

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The moon rises above illuminated ice sculptures during the opening ceremony of the 42nd Harbin China International Ice and Snow Festival at Harbin in northeastern China’s Heilongjiang province on January 5. Photo: AFP
China travel

China’s Trip.com probe targets algorithms, prices after vendor anger: analysts

Regulators accuse one of the world’s biggest travel platforms of abusing market power, with analysts warning of wider industry scrutiny.

The investigation follows years of complaints about data-driven price discrimination and rising commissions, according to analysts. Photo: Shutterstock
China trade

Vietnam grabs bigger slice of China’s durian market as Thailand loses ground

Vietnam’s exports of the pungent fruit to China rose by US$500 million in 2025 as the country emerges as a serious rival to Thailand.

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US-China trade war

At America’s biggest retail show, the China question never really goes away

Tariffs may ebb and supply chains may detour, but US shoppers – and giants like Walmart and Amazon – still rely heavily on Chinese goods.

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DJI

DJI ‘clones’ curiously emerge as China tech giant battles US scrutiny

Similar devices under new and different brands spark questions about potential efforts to circumvent trade curbs and maintain US market access for popular gadgets.

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The DJI Mavic Pro 2, with an integrated Hasselblad camera, flies towards a forest. Photo: Shutterstock Images
China exports

Explainer | How are US tariffs and trade barriers redrawing China’s export map?

While exports to the US fell last year, other markets more than made up the difference.

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China food security

Rooted in resilience: how China’s seed push has planted agricultural ‘chips’

Domestic varieties claiming bigger market shares for key crops and livestock, curbing reliance on foreign sources for vital food production.

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China manufacturing

Asian CEOs feeling burden of China, US tech restrictions, survey finds

More than 40% of global CEOs ‘most concerned’ about supply chain disruptions.

Access to Nvidia chips has been a bone of contention in ongoing Sino-US tech tensions. Illustration: Shutterstock
China GDP

China may cut GDP goal, Trump at Davos, Starmer visit

This week: China may lower its economic growth target, Trump shakes up Davos, Chinese births hit record low. Next week: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visits China, EU likely to mandate technology transfers, last giant pandas leave Japan, and more.

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China energy security

In Davos debut, Musk highlights key China advantage in AI race

China’s energy supply edge was also at the heart of a panel discussion on clean energy in Europe.

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China GDP

China’s divided economy

China is likely to set its economic growth target in a range of 4.5 to 5 per cent after meeting its 2025 goal of “around 5 per cent” thanks to domestic subsidies and strong exports.

Yuan

China lets yuan break through 7 per US dollar mark as dollar jitters grow

China’s central bank set the yuan fixing rate at under 7 per US dollar for the first time since mid-2023 as concerns over dollar assets mount.

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China’s yuan has broken through the psychologically important level of 7 per US dollar for the first time in years, as confidence in US dollar assets weakens. Photo: AFP
China GDP

Exclusive | China to set GDP growth range, providing policy flexibility in 2026: sources

Establishing a range for the official growth target, to be revealed in March, would suggest tolerance for some deceleration amid challenges.

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Workers grind a pipe on an offshore oil and gas platform in Tianjin’s Binhai New Area on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
China’s private sector

China’s private sector increases presence among top 100 listed firms

US think tank’s report says non-state sector is bouncing back from three-year slump.

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China energy security

China’s massive project to funnel clean energy from Tibet enters new phase

The ultra-high-voltage power lines will connect Tibet’s vast hydropower, solar and wind projects with factory hubs in southern China.

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