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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.

A supermarket employee cuts pork in Huaian city, Jiangsu province. Photo: Costfoto/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Food and agriculture

China to boost frozen pork reserves as hog prices tumble to multi-year troughs

The national average hog price fell to an eight-year low of 10.68 yuan per kg in the fourth week of March.

3 Apr 2026 - 5:00PM

US-China trade war

Explaining China’s trade probe announcements

31 Mar 2026 - 5:57PM

US-China trade war

China deploys new trade-war weapons with US investigations

30 Mar 2026 - 5:19PM

US-China trade war

China launches investigations into US trade practices. Why now?

Washington’s measures may breach WTO rules and past agreements, commerce ministry says.

27 Mar 2026 - 10:30PM

The Trump administration has initiated a series of sweeping trade investigations that could lead to fresh tariffs after the US Supreme Court struck down its previous duties. Photo: TNS

China-Latin America relations

China threatens Mexico with trade reprisals over 50% import duties

Economy secretary rejected Beijing’s complaints, saying Chinese firms sell below cost with state backing and Mexico will not back down.

27 Mar 2026 - 3:04AM

China trade

China says Mexico’s tariff hikes constitute ‘trade barriers’ after probe

The tariff increases – made in part to appease demands from Washington – have been designated a breach of trade rules by Beijing.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:00PM

Semiconductors

China warns of fresh chip crisis as Nexperia dispute flares up

China warns the ‘Dutch side’ must bear responsibility if the Nexperia dispute reignites global automotive chip shortages.

8 Mar 2026 - 6:30PM

Nexperia is a key supplier of automotive semiconductors. Photo: AFP

Two Sessions 2026

Beijing vows to expand imports amid ‘China shock’ fears

Beijing promises to source advanced tech, consumer goods and agricultural products from overseas while diversifying markets.

7 Mar 2026 - 11:42AMvideocam

China exports

Deals of steel: how China’s price-setting agreements are easing trade tempers

Chinese exporters agree to raise prices to avoid anti‑dumping duties, echoing earlier electric vehicle agreement with European Union.

28 Feb 2026 - 4:00PM

US-China relations

Exclusive | China scours for Trump bargaining chips ahead of Beijing summit with Xi: sources

Government departments are tasked with researching and assessing likely demands by the US leader as well as formulating possible concessions.

27 Feb 2026 - 10:03PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomes US President Donald Trump outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during the American leader’s 2017 visit. Photo: Xinhua

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

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

Artificial intelligence

Facebook owner Meta goes ahead with Manus merger despite Beijing probe

Some Manus employees in Singapore move into Meta’s offices and have been given corporate accounts and other access, two sources said.

26 Feb 2026 - 9:30PM

US-China trade war

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

Trade envoy confirms levies on Chinese goods to remain within range of 35 per cent to 50 per cent depending on the product as tensions ease.

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

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

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

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

Tourists from Russia take selfies on the Bund in Shanghai. China is keen to drive up spending by inbound travellers over the Lunar New Year. Photo: Xinhua

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

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

A container is lifted by a crane backdropped by the construction of the Chinese-funded mega port, in Chancay, Peru, on October 29, 2024. Photo: AP

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

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

China’s trade surplus reached a record high in 2025, raising the risk of renewed trade frictions with partners and paving the way for a potential recalibration in Beijing. Photo: Shutterstock

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

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Ministry of Commerce (China)

China to boost frozen pork reserves as hog prices tumble to multi-year troughs

The national average hog price fell to an eight-year low of 10.68 yuan per kg in the fourth week of March.

Explaining China’s trade probe announcements

China deploys new trade-war weapons with US investigations

China launches investigations into US trade practices. Why now?

Washington’s measures may breach WTO rules and past agreements, commerce ministry says.

China threatens Mexico with trade reprisals over 50% import duties

Economy secretary rejected Beijing’s complaints, saying Chinese firms sell below cost with state backing and Mexico will not back down.

China says Mexico’s tariff hikes constitute ‘trade barriers’ after probe

The tariff increases – made in part to appease demands from Washington – have been designated a breach of trade rules by Beijing.

China warns of fresh chip crisis as Nexperia dispute flares up

China warns the ‘Dutch side’ must bear responsibility if the Nexperia dispute reignites global automotive chip shortages.

Beijing vows to expand imports amid ‘China shock’ fears

Beijing promises to source advanced tech, consumer goods and agricultural products from overseas while diversifying markets.

Deals of steel: how China’s price-setting agreements are easing trade tempers

Chinese exporters agree to raise prices to avoid anti‑dumping duties, echoing earlier electric vehicle agreement with European Union.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | China scours for Trump bargaining chips ahead of Beijing summit with Xi: sources

Government departments are tasked with researching and assessing likely demands by the US leader as well as formulating possible concessions.

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

Some Manus employees in Singapore move into Meta’s offices and have been given corporate accounts and other access, two sources said.

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

Trade envoy confirms levies on Chinese goods to remain within range of 35 per cent to 50 per cent depending on the product as tensions ease.

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-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}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.

Exclusive | China scours for Trump bargaining chips ahead of Beijing summit with Xi: sources

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