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State Council

State Council
The latest news and top stories on State Council, the highest state administrative organ and executive arm of the National People's Congress. Its primary mission involves implementing state policies, laws and managing the national economy, finances and foreign affairs. The State Council oversees various ministries and commissions, providing public services and ensuring national security.
Robotic arms handle materials on a production line in China’s Zhejiang province. Beijing has plans to develop a service sector that shores up the world’s factory. Photo: Getty Images
China's economic recovery

China to fuse software and steel with US$14tr sector to enhance manufacturing

Beijing is overhauling ‘producer services’ with upgrades and more specialisation to avert deindustrialisation and anchor advanced manufacturing.

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China energy security

China confronts Middle East supply shock, as State Council mulls energy strategy

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China trade

Explaining China’s supply chain security rules

Hong Kong politics

New constitutional affairs chief Janice Tse to lead Hong Kong’s first 5-year plan

Former environment permanent secretary appointed to post after city leader John Lee nominated her, citing Tse’s 38 years in government.

Former permanent secretary for the environment Janice Tse has replaced Erick Tsang as Hong Kong’s constitutional and mainland affairs minister. Photo: Sam Tsang
China trade

‘Careful scrutiny’ needed in China’s applications of AI: Jiang Xiaojuan

Stronger oversight needed as unchecked AI risks undermining jobs and data security, government advisers urge at the Boao Forum for Asia.

Banking & finance

Former Hong Kong exchange executive Ba Shusong reported out of public sight

An economist, academic and frequent speaker on Hong Kong’s role linking mainland China to the world, Ba left HKEX in 2025.

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China manufacturing

A boat in every dock? Chinese billionaire unveils plan for mass yacht production

JD.com founder Richard Liu has launched a nautical brand with a massive investment in yacht production, aiming to make ownership affordable.

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Richard Liu’s brand, Sea Expandary, signed a strategic framework agreement on Tuesday with the coastal cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai in Guangdong, China’s southern powerhouse province, for a high-end yacht industrial base with planned investment of about 5 billion yuan (US$723 million), according to social media posts by the city governments. Photo: Handout
China's population

China and South Korea team up on a vexing issue: their fast-ageing populations

After years of tense relations, the two nations are finding common ground over their need to adapt to an era of ‘super-aged societies’.

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Hong Kong politics

Protecting national security seen as key to Hong Kong’s stability

City leader hosts meeting of 150 officials, advisers, lawmakers and experts on State Council’s white paper on local affairs.

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China energy security

China to dismantle local power protectionism in push to electrify national grid

State Council directive eyes unified power market, curbing provincial fragmentation to boost green energy expansion and optimise resource flow.

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Workers are seen at a power substation in China’s Hebei province. Photo: Xinhua
US-China trade war

Chinese premier tours rare earths production hub amid rising US tech rivalry

Premier Li Qiang called for China to consolidate its lead in industries like rare earths, where Beijing has a strategic edge over Washington.

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Workers transport soil containing rare earth elements for export at a port in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong politics

Struggle for national security an ‘enduring task’ for Hong Kong, Beijing says

John Lee says white paper issued by State Council serves as a stern warning to ‘traitors who betrayed the country and Hong Kong’.

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China’s private sector

China to probe food delivery platforms under anti-monopoly law

State Council announcement cites ‘excessive subsidies’ and ‘price wars’ in document unveiling market assessment for online delivery services.

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China property

Beijing trims property resale tax in fresh push to stabilise housing market

Under new rules, sellers will pay just 3 per cent VAT if they offload a property within two years of purchase, down from 5 per cent.

Under new rules, individuals who sell a residential property within two years of buying it will pay VAT at 3 per cent instead of 5 per cent. Photo: Getty
China economy

China’s cabinet clears path for VAT law to take effect next month

State Council approves draft regulations to implement the new law, which aims to govern China’s biggest source of tax revenue.

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Shoppers browse goods in a gift shop in Beijing, China on December 8. Chinese authorities have highlighted tax policy as a way to support growth amid weak demand. Photo: EPA
China economy

Opinion | Protection of vulnerable workers must be part of China’s AI strategy

Unemployment and underemployment are a double whammy that the Chinese leadership cannot ignore.

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China's economic recovery

Editorial | Hong Kong has a role to play in building a strong, unified national market

Innovative growth areas such as the Greater Bay Area can help lead China’s economic transformation in the coming year.

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China's economic recovery

China sets sights on ‘fully tapping’ domestic market potential after policy meet

Following annual central economic work conference, leaders also pledge to stabilise property sector, fight deflation and curb cutthroat competition to counter risks.

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President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at last year’s central economic work conference. Photo: Xinhua
China’s private sector

China’s new private sector liberalisation spreads to infrastructure

Railways, nuclear reactors, oil pipelines and water networks in China are all opening up to private investors as the government seeks new ways to revive economic growth.

China’s private sector

Explaining China’s 13 measures to promote private investment

SCMP Plus annotates State Council’s 13-point plan to promote private investment in infrastructure projects, until now the domain of the country’s state-owned enterprises.

China’s private sector

From rail to nuclear power, China taps private capital to fund major projects

Beijing unveils a slew of new measures to channel private investment into infrastructure projects ranging from hydropower to oil pipelines.

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Workers lay track for a new high-speed railway in China’s eastern Zhejiang province. China aims to encourage more private investment in major projects, including new railways and nuclear power facilities. Photo: Xinhua
US-China trade war

China, US suspend rival port fees in latest trade war thaw

Beijing also pauses sanctions on South Korean shipbuilder affiliates, while shipping industry welcomes suspended duties.

Shipping containers are stacked at the Port of Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, USA, on October 15. Photo: EPA-EFE
China manufacturing

China calls for faster, wider adoption of advanced tech to strengthen industry

Locked in a tech war with the US, Beijing seeks greater commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies through large-scale application.

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Artificial intelligence

Cambricon, SenseTime team up to support China’s tech self-reliance efforts

The two companies intend to promote ‘a new indigenous AI development paradigm’.

South China Sea

Opinion | What Scarborough nature reserve plan means for South China Sea

Done badly, it would exclude and exacerbate mistrust. Done well, it could pave the way for a model of conservation in contested waters.

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A March 26 drone photo of the reefs in Scarborough Shoal, which China calls Huangyan Island and the Philippines calls Panatag Shoal. Photo: Xinhua
Artificial intelligence

Opinion | China is banking on AI as next driver of growth

By embedding AI across the economy and bureaucracy, Beijing aims to accelerate growth, boost productivity and sharpen governance capacity.

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AI-powered firefighting devices are seen at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Nanning, Guangxi, on September 17. Photo: Xinhua
China consumption

From tourism to healthcare, China unveils a 19-point plan to get people spending

Support and investment incentives unveiled for sectors such as tourism, sports, healthcare and culture, while visa-free access and school holidays could be enhanced.

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China’s private sector

China vows to ‘safeguard support’ for private investment, boost confidence

Private investment ‘key to stabilising employment and the economy’, State Council meeting chaired by Premier Li Qiang says.

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