China’s strong GDP figures, delivery robots riding Shenzhen subway: SCMP daily highlights

From Chinese economy beating forecasts to Australian prime minister’s visit to China, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage

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The delivery robots will initially ride subway trains during off-peak hours to deliver goods to 7-Eleven stores in subway stations across Shenzhen, Guangdong province. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:15pm, 15 Jul 2025Updated: 9:18pm, 15 Jul 2025

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.

1. China’s strong GDP figures stoke debate over stimulus as US tariff risks loom

China’s economy beat market forecasts to grow 5.2 per cent in the second quarter, but analysts said headwinds would intensify in late 2025.

2. Taiwanese leader said to be planning US ‘stopover’ that’s set to anger Beijing

Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te is planning a US “stopover” trip in August that could take him to New York and Texas en route to South America, sources said, a move that is bound to anger Beijing.

3. In China, delivery robots now ride the subway to restock 7-Eleven stores

Subway trains across the southern Chinese megacity of Shenzhen welcomed an unusual new set of passengers on Monday, as the city deployed a fleet of delivery robots to restock convenience stores scattered around its subway system.

4. Xi hails ‘turnaround’ in China-Australia relations as PM Albanese visits

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