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ING

ING: A leading Dutch multinational banking and financial services corporation headquartered in Amsterdam. It offers a comprehensive range of products including retail, direct, commercial, investment, wholesale, and private banking, alongside asset management and insurance services. Serving individuals, SMEs, and large corporates globally, ING is recognised for its digital banking leadership and strong commitment to sustainability. Its overall business focus is on empowering clients financially, leveraging digital innovation. Its chief Greater China economist, Lynn Song, highlighted the property sector’s crucial role for household balance sheets.

Chinese biotech companies have risen up the value chain in recent years, with cross-border licensing deals worth a record US$60 billion in the first quarter of 2026, according to the National Medical Products Administration. Photo: Getty Images

US-China trade war

The next tech war? Why biotech may become a new US-China battleground

China’s biotech industry is rapidly moving up the value chain, prompting fears in the US and calls for tighter controls.

2 Jun 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

China’s private sector

China’s biotech boom drives surge in home-grown innovative drug approvals

27 May 2026 - 9:00PM

China-Russia relations

Putin left China, with no pipeline deal. Why is the valve still closed?

23 May 2026 - 6:45AMvideocam

China consumption

HSBC cuts China retail sales forecast by nearly half on property, job pressures

Consumption is facing renewed pressure as a weak labour market and diminishing returns from subsidies cloud outlook, the bank says.

22 May 2026 - 7:17PM

People are seen at a shopping mall in Beijing on May 2. Photo: AFP

China food security

How China and Kazakhstan plan to boost food security through trade

The agreement highlights Beijing’s push to rewire agricultural supply chains, as it seeks to reduce vulnerability in global markets.

22 May 2026 - 6:00PM

China property

Rising used home prices in China’s major cities during April fan stability hopes

With first-tier cities seeing price upticks, analysts are optimistic that the struggling property sector is showing signs of bottoming out.

18 May 2026 - 5:01PM

Banking & finance

Investors bet CK Hutchison is exiting a mature sector at right time – once again

Disposal of VodafoneThree adds to Li family’s record of cycle-savvy moves, with investors weighing where war chest will flow next.

12 May 2026 - 7:00AM

For decades, the Li family, which controls CK Hutchison, has built a reputation for exiting businesses near the top of market cycles, according to analysts. Photo: Sam Tsang

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.

10 May 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

China exports

China, the Iran war and the chemical suddenly stoking global supply fears

Food security is one of Beijing’s top policy goals – and that could spell trouble for countries dependent on Chinese sulphuric acid.

13 Apr 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

The Philippines

How soaring fuel prices are pushing Filipino farmers to the brink

Farmer Elmer Ullani spent seven hours transporting his produce to a trading post, but says he has nothing left after paying for fuel.

8 Apr 2026 - 3:14PMvideocam

Philippine farmer Elmer Ullani spells out “Stop US-Iran War” with his cabbages after having to spend almost all of the money he had earned at the market to pay for the fuel needed to get him there and back. Photo: Facebook / Elmer Ullani

The Philippines

As Philippines battles fuel crisis, will Marcos postpone Asean summit?

Lawmakers have urged the president to postpone or scale down the event and redirect funds towards softening the blow of rising energy costs.

27 Mar 2026 - 12:30PMvideocam

A fuel station worker prepares to refuel a jeepney, or local minibus, in Quezon City, the Philippines, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA

Hong Kong stock market

Markets brace for rate hikes as prolonged Iran war stokes tightening fears

The European Central Bank has become more hawkish, reverting to wording that analysts say often precedes interest-rate increases.

23 Mar 2026 - 9:46PM

Commodities

Gold slides as hawkish Fed and strong US dollar override geopolitical fears

Market watchers point to fading hopes of interest rate cuts and oil-driven inflation concerns as key drivers of the decline.

22 Mar 2026 - 5:01PM

Two Sessions 2026

China to pursue commercial health insurance to ease strain, support innovation

Commercial health insurance enters China’s policy agenda as an ageing population and costs strain basic coverage.

6 Mar 2026 - 6:12PM

The move signals efforts to strengthen the country’s social safety net and support the growth of innovative drugs and medical devices. Photo: Getty Images

Trade

Tariff whiplash throws Asia’s recent US trade deals into doubt

India has already paused trade talks with Washington as other Asian nations are left to question the validity of their recent agreements.

23 Feb 2026 - 5:48PM

US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House on Friday. Photo: AFP

China consumption

China overhauls CPI basket, with never-before-seen unveiling of its composition

Beijing’s five-year recalibration aims to better reflect consumption, as policymakers shift weight away from food and housing.

14 Feb 2026 - 10:48AMvideocam

China consumption

China’s consumer price growth cools as inflation outlook remains unclear

Consumer price index rose for a fourth straight month in January, though the increase fell short of market expectations.

11 Feb 2026 - 12:01PM

Interest rates

Spiking yen fuels risk-averse mood as investors take defensive stance

Yen hits two-month high amid fears US and Japan will intervene to prop up the currency ahead of Japan’s election next month.

26 Jan 2026 - 7:00PM

Media reports on Friday said that the New York Federal Reserve had checked dollar-yen rates with dealers, widely seen as a precursor to intervention. Photo: Reuters

Commodities

Gold surge has analysts eyeing new highs after US$5,100 record

Safe-haven demand spikes amid de-dollarisation fears and supply-chain tensions, as gold buyers seek stability against growing macro uncertainties.

26 Jan 2026 - 3:07PMvideocam

US-China trade war

Trade reset? China, Canada look to revive ties after US tariffs force rethink

Crude, copper and iron top Canada’s exports to China, as prime minister seeks to mend relationship with Beijing.

13 Jan 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Yuan

Yuan to strengthen to 6.85 per US dollar in first quarter 2026: Morgan Stanley

Strong export growth and US dollar weakness are expected to bolster the currency, the bank says.

9 Jan 2026 - 10:02PM

The yuan has appreciated against the US dollar in recent weeks. In late December, the offshore yuan dipped below the benchmark rate of seven against the US dollar. Photo: AFP

China-Japan relations

As Beijing targets Tokyo over Taiwan remarks, what levers does Japan have?

Japanese control of chemical used in semiconductors could prove significant, analysts say.

8 Jan 2026 - 10:06AMvideocam

Beijing has maintained a hardline stance against Tokyo since Takaichi said in parliament on November 7 that an attack on Taiwan could be interpreted as a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan. Photo: Reuters

US-China trade war

‘Maximum pressure’: why China is taking Mexico’s tariff move ‘very seriously’

Beijing sees Mexico’s move as driven by a wider US pressure campaign – and could take retaliatory measures, analysts say.

11 Dec 2025 - 10:55PM

China trade

Explainer | The return of Red Sea shipping: 3 scenarios for Chinese trade

Houthi rebels have signalled a halt in attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, allowing a possible end to costly detours.

5 Dec 2025 - 1:04AMvideocam

China trade

Explainer | Tripwire clauses: why is China alarmed by Malaysia’s new trade deal with the US?

Controversial wording seen as a geopolitical trap designed to force neutral countries to uphold Western containment strategies.

28 Nov 2025 - 9:44PMvideocam

Shipping containers are stacked in April at Port Klang on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: AP

Bonds

Weak growth outlook fuels China’s bond market recovery, analysts say

Concerns about inflated valuations of technology stocks are also driving investors towards bonds.

20 Nov 2025 - 7:30AM

The People’s Bank of China building in Beijing. Photo: China News Service/VCG via Getty Images

US-China trade war

Asean, China, Japan and South Korea hold ‘transformative’ critical minerals opportunity

Director of Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office says some Southeast Asian economies have notable reserves.

17 Nov 2025 - 1:26PM

China exports

Cuts to US ‘fentanyl tariffs’ help Chinese exporters gain on competition

Analysts said the reduction in US tariffs creates space for Chinese producers to gain on Asian competitors – particularly in low-cost goods.

1 Nov 2025 - 8:04AM

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ING

The next tech war? Why biotech may become a new US-China battleground

China’s biotech industry is rapidly moving up the value chain, prompting fears in the US and calls for tighter controls.

China’s biotech boom drives surge in home-grown innovative drug approvals

Putin left China, with no pipeline deal. Why is the valve still closed?

HSBC cuts China retail sales forecast by nearly half on property, job pressures

Consumption is facing renewed pressure as a weak labour market and diminishing returns from subsidies cloud outlook, the bank says.

How China and Kazakhstan plan to boost food security through trade

The agreement highlights Beijing’s push to rewire agricultural supply chains, as it seeks to reduce vulnerability in global markets.

Rising used home prices in China’s major cities during April fan stability hopes

With first-tier cities seeing price upticks, analysts are optimistic that the struggling property sector is showing signs of bottoming out.

Investors bet CK Hutchison is exiting a mature sector at right time – once again

Disposal of VodafoneThree adds to Li family’s record of cycle-savvy moves, with investors weighing where war chest will flow next.

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.

China, the Iran war and the chemical suddenly stoking global supply fears

Food security is one of Beijing’s top policy goals – and that could spell trouble for countries dependent on Chinese sulphuric acid.

How soaring fuel prices are pushing Filipino farmers to the brink

Farmer Elmer Ullani spent seven hours transporting his produce to a trading post, but says he has nothing left after paying for fuel.

As Philippines battles fuel crisis, will Marcos postpone Asean summit?

Lawmakers have urged the president to postpone or scale down the event and redirect funds towards softening the blow of rising energy costs.

Markets brace for rate hikes as prolonged Iran war stokes tightening fears

The European Central Bank has become more hawkish, reverting to wording that analysts say often precedes interest-rate increases.

Gold slides as hawkish Fed and strong US dollar override geopolitical fears

Market watchers point to fading hopes of interest rate cuts and oil-driven inflation concerns as key drivers of the decline.

China to pursue commercial health insurance to ease strain, support innovation

Commercial health insurance enters China’s policy agenda as an ageing population and costs strain basic coverage.

Tariff whiplash throws Asia’s recent US trade deals into doubt

India has already paused trade talks with Washington as other Asian nations are left to question the validity of their recent agreements.

China overhauls CPI basket, with never-before-seen unveiling of its composition

Beijing’s five-year recalibration aims to better reflect consumption, as policymakers shift weight away from food and housing.

China’s consumer price growth cools as inflation outlook remains unclear

Consumer price index rose for a fourth straight month in January, though the increase fell short of market expectations.

Spiking yen fuels risk-averse mood as investors take defensive stance

Yen hits two-month high amid fears US and Japan will intervene to prop up the currency ahead of Japan’s election next month.

Gold surge has analysts eyeing new highs after US$5,100 record

Safe-haven demand spikes amid de-dollarisation fears and supply-chain tensions, as gold buyers seek stability against growing macro uncertainties.

Trade reset? China, Canada look to revive ties after US tariffs force rethink

Crude, copper and iron top Canada’s exports to China, as prime minister seeks to mend relationship with Beijing.

Yuan to strengthen to 6.85 per US dollar in first quarter 2026: Morgan Stanley

Strong export growth and US dollar weakness are expected to bolster the currency, the bank says.

As Beijing targets Tokyo over Taiwan remarks, what levers does Japan have?

Japanese control of chemical used in semiconductors could prove significant, analysts say.

‘Maximum pressure’: why China is taking Mexico’s tariff move ‘very seriously’

Beijing sees Mexico’s move as driven by a wider US pressure campaign – and could take retaliatory measures, analysts say.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Explainer | The return of Red Sea shipping: 3 scenarios for Chinese trade

Houthi rebels have signalled a halt in attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, allowing a possible end to costly detours.

Explainer | Tripwire clauses: why is China alarmed by Malaysia’s new trade deal with the US?

Controversial wording seen as a geopolitical trap designed to force neutral countries to uphold Western containment strategies.

Weak growth outlook fuels China’s bond market recovery, analysts say

Concerns about inflated valuations of technology stocks are also driving investors towards bonds.

Asean, China, Japan and South Korea hold ‘transformative’ critical minerals opportunity

Director of Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office says some Southeast Asian economies have notable reserves.

Cuts to US ‘fentanyl tariffs’ help Chinese exporters gain on competition

Analysts said the reduction in US tariffs creates space for Chinese producers to gain on Asian competitors – particularly in low-cost goods.

Explainer | The return of Red Sea shipping: 3 scenarios for Chinese trade