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Ministry of Commerce (China)

The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) of the People’s Republic of China: A prominent Beijing-based governmental body, MOFCOM is a cabinet-level executive department of the State Council. Its primary mission is to formulate policies on domestic and foreign trade, economic cooperation, and market regulation, promoting China’s economic development and trade. Key activities include overseeing inbound and outbound investment, drafting trade laws, and negotiating international trade agreements. MOFCOM plays a significant role in forging China’s global economic policy and is instrumental in attracting foreign investment and optimising the business environment.

Many content creators are helping Chinese manufacturers expand their reach on overseas social media platforms. Photo: EPA-EFE

China exports

As China’s firms go global, foreign expertise is becoming a hot commodity

Chinese companies are rushing to hire a range of service contractors to help them expand overseas – from compliance experts to TikTok gurus.

27 Feb 2026 - 10:42AMvideocam

Artificial intelligence

Facebook owner Meta goes ahead with Manus merger despite Beijing probe

26 Feb 2026 - 9:30PM

US-China trade war

US to keep China tariffs steady ahead of key Trump-Xi meeting: Greer

26 Feb 2026 - 7:18AMvideocam

US-China trade war

China braces after Trump imposes new global tariff – how will it respond?

Beijing is on alert but signals readiness to engage ahead of high-level trade talks and Trump’s first visit to China in his second term.

24 Feb 2026 - 9:00PM

US President Donald Trump, flanked by Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick speaks during a press briefing at the White House, following the Supreme Court’s ruling that Trump had exceeded his authority when he imposed sweeping global tariffs last year. Photo: Reuters

China consumption

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.

24 Feb 2026 - 5:30PM

China-Japan relations

China adds Japanese entities to export control list, turning up heat on Tokyo

Beijing has also added 20 Japanese firms and institutions to a watch list for the export of goods with potential military applications.

24 Feb 2026 - 5:55PMvideocam

China trade

China defends WTO’s ‘equal treatment’ rule – what it means for global trade

Beijing warns that ending non-discrimination in global trade rules could see powerful countries dominate smaller ones.

20 Feb 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

The WTO launched a formal self-review in 2022, and is expected to discuss reform proposals in March. Photo: AFP

China consumption

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.

18 Feb 2026 - 9:00PM

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.

10 Feb 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

China-EU relations

‘Discriminatory’: China slams EU probe into wind turbine maker Goldwind

Brussels’ ‘abuse of investigations’ is harming China-EU cooperation and slowing Europe’s green transition, Beijing warns.

5 Feb 2026 - 10:28AM

A worker inspects parts at Goldwind Science & Technology’s wind turbine factory in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Photo: EPA-EFE

China stock market

Spirits rise as baijiu shares rally on Lunar New Year demand

With liquor stocks viewed as a barometer of real estate-linked business activity, the rally reflects renewed hopes for the property sector.

29 Jan 2026 - 7:21PM

China’s high-powered liquor stocks are often seen as a litmus for other sectors, in particular property. Photo: Xinhua

China economy

Opinion | China’s slowing overseas investment reflects caution, not retreat

Amid rising protectionism and increased pushback in advanced economies, Beijing is strategically recalibrating its investments abroad.

28 Jan 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

China-EU relations

China’s Xi says major powers must set example as world faces ‘risks, challenges’

‘China and Europe are partners, not rivals,’ President Xi Jinping tells visiting Finnish prime minister.

27 Jan 2026 - 8:24PMvideocam

China trade

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

Ministry of Commerce unveils new resource to help companies navigate the dos and don’ts of complex international markets, and policies will be rolled out appropriately.

26 Jan 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

Cranes unload containers from a ship at Huanghua Port in China’s Hebei province on January 15. Photo: Xinhua

Artificial intelligence

China-founded Shanda’s AI lab boosts Singapore operation, pulling China research

MiroMind asks some staff in Shanghai to relocate and continue their AI research work in Singapore, sources say.

21 Jan 2026 - 9:30PM

People gather next to the Merlion statue at the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade in Singapore. Photo: AFP

China exports

How China is rethinking export-led growth as global trade walls rise

Protectionism is forcing a shift towards balancing exports with outbound investment, analysts say.

21 Jan 2026 - 5:08PM

Japan

In Japan, fears of China’s antibiotics dominance spur calls for self-sufficiency

China has reportedly imposed curbs on rare earth shipments to Japan, and there are concerns that these could be extended to medical products.

17 Jan 2026 - 9:30AMvideocam

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.

12 Jan 2026 - 7:30PM

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

Science

China cites Biden’s message to Xi that Japan could build nukes ‘overnight’

Beijing releases 30-page report that includes a call for international community to ‘take concrete and strong measures’ against Japan’s nuclear ambitions.

9 Jan 2026 - 8:08PMvideocam

China trade

With US focused on Venezuela, China has window to pressure Japan: analysts

Beijing’s trade actions raise stakes with Tokyo, as China’s rare earth power and Japan’s chip dominance are seen as potentially key levers in their bilateral dispute.

9 Jan 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

China trade

China initiates anti-dumping probe against Japan over key semiconductor chemical

Beijing’s investigation targets imports of dichlorosilane from Japan, alleging dumping that harms Chinese production, amid escalating bilateral and trade tensions.

7 Jan 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

A worker is seen at a semiconductor factory in China’s Jiangsu province. Beijing has launched an anti-dumping investigation against Japan over a chemical used in chipmaking. Photo: AFP

China-South Korea relations

Lee’s bid for South Korea-China reset can only go so far

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s success in improving relations with China means little when it comes to the issue of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.

7 Jan 2026 - 5:00PM

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung takes a selfie including China’s President Xi Jinping. (Photo: AFP)

Artificial intelligence

Beijing mulls intervention in Meta’s Manus deal amid AI ‘brain drain’ fears

The blockbuster Meta-Manus deal is cheering investors but worrying Beijing, where officials see a risky precedent for Chinese AI start-ups.

7 Jan 2026 - 4:48PM

China economy

Editorial | Amid rivalry with US, silver can be seen as China’s new industrial leverage

Beijing’s export controls are simply about following the logic of the market and geopolitics in the interest of the nation.

7 Jan 2026 - 7:15AM

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.

1 Jan 2026 - 1:34AM

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.

31 Dec 2025 - 9:00PM

Handlers move cattle at a livestock market in Canuelas, Argentina, in October. China is kicking off 2026 with additional tariffs on beef imports exceeding specific quotas for major trading partners. Photo: AP

Nexperia

Nexperia, Wingtech set for fresh face-off in January with US$8 billion at stake

Dutch chipmaker’s Chinese owner warns of multi-track legal action, seeking full control of the firm and damages for improper seizure amid supply-chain tensions.

31 Dec 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

Semiconductors

Nexperia China eyes new wafer suppliers amid legal fight with Dutch chipmaker

Nexperia owner Wingtech says the China unit produced more than 11 billion chips since mid-October, despite wafer supply constraints.

27 Dec 2025 - 6:36PM

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Ministry of Commerce (China)

As China’s firms go global, foreign expertise is becoming a hot commodity

Chinese companies are rushing to hire a range of service contractors to help them expand overseas – from compliance experts to TikTok gurus.

Facebook owner Meta goes ahead with Manus merger despite Beijing probe

US to keep China tariffs steady ahead of key Trump-Xi meeting: Greer

China braces after Trump imposes new global tariff – how will it respond?

Beijing is on alert but signals readiness to engage ahead of high-level trade talks and Trump’s first visit to China in his second term.

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.

China adds Japanese entities to export control list, turning up heat on Tokyo

Beijing has also added 20 Japanese firms and institutions to a watch list for the export of goods with potential military applications.

China defends WTO’s ‘equal treatment’ rule – what it means for global trade

Beijing warns that ending non-discrimination in global trade rules could see powerful countries dominate smaller ones.

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.

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.

‘Discriminatory’: China slams EU probe into wind turbine maker Goldwind

Brussels’ ‘abuse of investigations’ is harming China-EU cooperation and slowing Europe’s green transition, Beijing warns.

Spirits rise as baijiu shares rally on Lunar New Year demand

With liquor stocks viewed as a barometer of real estate-linked business activity, the rally reflects renewed hopes for the property sector.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | China’s slowing overseas investment reflects caution, not retreat

Amid rising protectionism and increased pushback in advanced economies, Beijing is strategically recalibrating its investments abroad.

China’s Xi says major powers must set example as world faces ‘risks, challenges’

‘China and Europe are partners, not rivals,’ President Xi Jinping tells visiting Finnish prime minister.

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

Ministry of Commerce unveils new resource to help companies navigate the dos and don’ts of complex international markets, and policies will be rolled out appropriately.

China-founded Shanda’s AI lab boosts Singapore operation, pulling China research

MiroMind asks some staff in Shanghai to relocate and continue their AI research work in Singapore, sources say.

How China is rethinking export-led growth as global trade walls rise

Protectionism is forcing a shift towards balancing exports with outbound investment, analysts say.

In Japan, fears of China’s antibiotics dominance spur calls for self-sufficiency

China has reportedly imposed curbs on rare earth shipments to Japan, and there are concerns that these could be extended to medical products.

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.

China cites Biden’s message to Xi that Japan could build nukes ‘overnight’

Beijing releases 30-page report that includes a call for international community to ‘take concrete and strong measures’ against Japan’s nuclear ambitions.

With US focused on Venezuela, China has window to pressure Japan: analysts

Beijing’s trade actions raise stakes with Tokyo, as China’s rare earth power and Japan’s chip dominance are seen as potentially key levers in their bilateral dispute.

China initiates anti-dumping probe against Japan over key semiconductor chemical

Beijing’s investigation targets imports of dichlorosilane from Japan, alleging dumping that harms Chinese production, amid escalating bilateral and trade tensions.

Lee’s bid for South Korea-China reset can only go so far

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s success in improving relations with China means little when it comes to the issue of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal.

Beijing mulls intervention in Meta’s Manus deal amid AI ‘brain drain’ fears

The blockbuster Meta-Manus deal is cheering investors but worrying Beijing, where officials see a risky precedent for Chinese AI start-ups.

Editorial | Amid rivalry with US, silver can be seen as China’s new industrial leverage

Beijing’s export controls are simply about following the logic of the market and geopolitics in the interest of the nation.

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.

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.

Nexperia, Wingtech set for fresh face-off in January with US$8 billion at stake

Dutch chipmaker’s Chinese owner warns of multi-track legal action, seeking full control of the firm and damages for improper seizure amid supply-chain tensions.

Nexperia China eyes new wafer suppliers amid legal fight with Dutch chipmaker

Nexperia owner Wingtech says the China unit produced more than 11 billion chips since mid-October, despite wafer supply constraints.

Opinion | China’s slowing overseas investment reflects caution, not retreat