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Economy /

China Economy

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Belt and Road Initiative
Asia housing and property
US-China trade war
Workers build large vessels at the Jinling Shipyard in Nanjing, capital of China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Photo: AFP
China shipbuilding

The US tried to rein in China’s shipyards. Now, they are even more dominant

China’s shipyards secured a staggering 85 per cent of global orders in the first quarter, as demand for oil tankers surges amid the Iran war.

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2026 Xi-Trump summit

US-China negotiations seek a quick Seoul search for deals ahead of Trump’s visit

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese smart cars set to control 20% of western European market by 2028: JPMorgan

2026 Xi-Trump summit

China readies for Trump visit amid rebound in trade growth

Surging Chinese exports will bolster the nation’s position with the US as the two countries ready for trade talks and a presidential summit this week.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (left) and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng (right) last year. Photo: Keystone via AP
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (left) and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng (right) last year. Photo: Keystone via AP
China's population

China’s marriage numbers plunge to Covid-era low as population woes deepen

Fewer than 1.7 million couples tied the knot in the first quarter, the lowest total for the same period since lockdown-dominated 2020.

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China inflation

China’s producer, consumer inflation up in April as Iran war pressures persist

Factory-gate prices increased 2.8 per cent last month and consumer prices were up 1.2 per cent, surpassing expectations as fuel costs rise.

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China airliners

China’s Comac looking to boost C919’s overhead luggage capacity: source

Aircraft maker reviewing new designs to challenge Boeing and Airbus and take better advantage of plane’s slightly wider fuselage.

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A flight attendant welcomes passengers on board a China Eastern Airlines C919 at Hong Kong International Airport last year. Photo: Nora Tam
A flight attendant welcomes passengers on board a China Eastern Airlines C919 at Hong Kong International Airport last year. Photo: Nora Tam
Artificial intelligence

China’s AI drive seen widening wealth gap, testing ‘common prosperity’ push

With Beijing’s ‘AI-plus’ plan looking to grow the nation’s digital economy, experts warn that hubs could further outpace rural regions, fuelling inequality.

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2026 Xi-Trump summit

‘Not decoupling’: what does US-China trade data signal ahead of Xi-Trump summit?

Declining trade flows come as Trump heads to Beijing – but analyst says US remains dependent on some Chinese goods.

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China's population

Why Gen Z is abandoning Beijing for greener fields elsewhere in China

The percentage of the capital’s population aged between 20 and 29 plunged from 21.3 per cent in 2015 to 11.4 per cent in 2024.

An elderly woman walks past a bank branch in Beijing on April 20. Photo: EPA
China trade

China defies Strait of Hormuz crisis with record monthly export value in April

Export value rose 14.1 per cent year on year, well above market forecasts.

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A worker loads sulphur at a storage yard on a wharf in China’s Jiangsu province in April. Photo: AFP
A worker loads sulphur at a storage yard on a wharf in China’s Jiangsu province in April. Photo: AFP
Electric & new energy vehicles

Chinese EV maker Leapmotor taps Stellantis’ Spanish plant for EU production

Hangzhou carmaker’s overseas strategy highlights how Chinese brands are leveraging idle plants to scale globally while easing trade barriers.

China energy security

China’s shipping firms brace for a new ‘era of chaos’ as Iran war drags on

Chinese shipping giants are signing long contracts and rejigging their networks, as they hedge against prolonged disruptions to global trade routes.

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Banking & finance

Wall Street giants lead China-profit surge despite market polarisation

Major investment banks expand market share in China, with Goldman reclaiming the revenue lead while Shengang keeps its asset crown.

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People walk along Wall Street near the New York Stock Exchange. Photo: Reuters
China trade

How China’s sharper tech edge forces South Korea to rethink old industrial ties

Scholars urge a pivot to shared AI and EV standards and cooperation, while an upgraded China-South Korea free-trade pact is deemed vital.

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An artificial intelligence-powered robot works at a “convenience store” during the 2026 World IT Show in Seoul. Photo: EPA
An artificial intelligence-powered robot works at a “convenience store” during the 2026 World IT Show in Seoul. Photo: EPA
2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump’s Beijing trip, Iran war diplomacy, tech earnings

This week: US President Donald Trump looks ahead to Beijing summit, China calls for reopening of Strait of Hormuz and tells companies to ignore US sanctions. Next week: JD.com, Alibaba and Tencent release earnings, trade data comes out, Hong Kong Affordable Art Show opens and more.

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump invites Boeing, Mastercard CEOs to join China trip next week: sources

Donald Trump Jnr and Eric Trump will also join the high-stakes summit in Beijing, sources say.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

Tesla China posts 36% sales rise, as local rivals nip at heels

April sales rose on a year-on-year basis but dropped from the previous month, indicating fiercer competition from domestic brands.

An employee works in Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai on April 14. Photo: EPA
An employee works in Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai on April 14. Photo: EPA
China manufacturing

China’s airship ambitions progress as first commercial pilots certified at home

The sector is advancing faster than the available talent pool – but officials call licences a ‘breakthrough’ moment.

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China manufacturing

China robotics to drive next chapter of manufacturing dominance: Morgan Stanley

Strategic state-led investment and low production costs are expected to lift the nation’s manufacturing export share amid deployment of advanced automation.

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Electric & new energy vehicles

China’s move to cut EV payment cycles may push weaker carmakers out: S&P

China’s weaker EV makers may soon be running on fumes as tighter payment cycles squeeze cash flow and curb price wars.

Employees work on the production line at a factory for Chery’s electric vehicles in Wuhu, Anhui province, China. Photo: Reuters
2026 Xi-Trump summit

Why US commercial stakes are ‘too high for Trump to ignore’ on China visit

After the US$37 billion, 300-plane deal from Trump’s last visit stalled, industry observers say the next one could be more flexible.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Illustration: Henry Wong
China travel

Fuel shocks, thin margins: why China’s airlines should ‘heed Spirit’s mistakes’

Demise of US budget carrier seen as a warning sign of how turbulent it could get for China’s airlines with fragile bottom lines.

Yuan

China sets yuan at strongest level in 3 years as US dollar jitters simmer

Beijing is pushing for a stronger yuan to help globalise the currency, but the upswing could create issues for the country’s export giants.

China energy security

China’s energy security plan expands south: how Hainan is becoming an LNG hub

Global supply shocks have intensified in recent months – reaffirming Beijing’s years-long strategy.

China’s first bonded LNG terminal, in Hainan, could turn the island province into a regional energy hub. Photo: CCTV
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