Liu He

‘Life’s been restored’: China’s economy will return to normal, vice-premier says

18 Jan 2023 - 9:24AMvideocam

Top China, US trade officials to meet face to face in Zurich

17 Jan 2023 - 9:21AMvideocam

VP Liu He to represent China at World Economic Forum, ministry confirms

Liu’s attendance in Davos, Switzerland, will be the first by a Chinese leader since the Covid-19 pandemic.

14 Jan 2023 - 1:07AM

Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He will attend next week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday. Photo: AP

Diplomacy

Exclusive | Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He to attend Davos next week, sources say

It will be the first time a top Chinese leader has travelled to the World Economic Forum meeting since the pandemic began.

9 Jan 2023 - 7:04PMvideocam

China’s 20th Party Congress

China’s economic tsar ‘highly confident’ of recovery, mulls property-sector aid

China will see an economic recovery next year and is mulling new measures to support the beleaguered real estate market, Vice-Premier Liu He said on Thursday.

16 Dec 2022 - 1:12PM

Economic and finance shake-up on China’s Central Committee

Reshuffle follows Central Committee retirements, banking crises and Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign but scope of changes prompts uncertainty.

22 Oct 2022 - 8:16PMvideocam

The list of new Central Committee members published after the 20th party congress reveals big changes to finance and economic representation and raises questions about how China will navigate a difficult period. Photo: Reuters

China’s 20th Party Congress

China’s Covid slowdown raises spectre of middle-income trap

Chinese officials have trumpeted dazzling economic figures to make the case that the country can escape the middle-income trap, but some inconvenient statistics point to a worrying trend for the world’s second-largest economy.

20 Jul 2022 - 6:00AMvideocam

‘Constructive’ US-China talks not expected to end long-standing rivalry

Some analysts say any move by Washington to cut tariffs on Chinese goods would be solely in the US’ own interests, rather than signal an abrupt change in President Biden’s China policy.

7 Jul 2022 - 4:04PM

Coronavirus China

Home-grown vaccine back on the agenda, China energises ‘scientific’ strategy

Remarks by Vice-Premier Liu He suggest vaccine development remains on the agenda for China, with clinical trials of a home-grown Omicron jab having started in Zhejiang.

1 Jun 2022 - 6:30AMvideocam

clinical trials of a home-grown Omicron jab having started in Zhejiang province earlier this month. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

Questions raised after China claims economy will ‘soon’ return to normal

The nation’s propaganda machine is churning out pro-growth statements and defending coronavirus-control measures, but some question the official data and say greater policy support is needed.

18 May 2022 - 8:57PMvideocam

Nearly two months after Shanghai was placed under lockdown, party mouthpiece People’s Daily says the nation’s zero-Covid policy is gradually having “the desired effects”. Photo: Reuters

Editorial | Hong Kong borrowers had better get ready for series of interest rate rises

With the US Fed forecasting at least six more increases this year, and more to follow, the city being pegged to the US dollar is bound to feel their cumulative effect.

23 Mar 2022 - 7:30AMvideocam

China’s crackdowns

China’s regulators may ease the pressure on Big Tech companies in 2022

The shift in policy comes as Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He called for order and transparency in regulators’ dealings with the country’s Big Tech firms.

19 Mar 2022 - 2:12AMvideocam

Liu He says China to beat 2021 growth target, despite headwinds

Vice-Premier Liu He says China is on track to beat its economic growth target of ‘above 6 per cent’ this year, but numerous challenges remain – from the coronavirus to power shortages.

1 Dec 2021 - 3:24PMvideocam

Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He says China will beat its growth target of ‘above 6 per cent’ for this year. Photo: EPA-EFE

Technological innovation ‘matter of survival’ as China plots economic recovery

Vice-Premier Liu He reflected on the key weakness of China’s economic system In a 6,500-word article published on Wednesday in the People’s Daily.

25 Nov 2021 - 9:15AM

Concerns have been raised that China’s economic growth could further slow to below 4 per cent in the fourth quarter. Photo: Simon Song

Liu He meets foreign business VIP in Beijing for first time in two years

Meeting comes amid growing debate over when the world’s second-largest economy will reopen its borders in the wake of pandemic.

20 Nov 2021 - 12:37AMvideocam

US-China trade war

China, US ‘to up economic coordination’ as Evergrande crisis casts shadow

The sides hold ‘constructive’ economic talks with global recovery ‘at crucial stage’, according to Chinese statement.

26 Oct 2021 - 11:35PMvideocam

US ‘tests’ direct engagement with China in trade talks

‘Candid’ exchange between Liu He and Katherine Tai also sees Beijing pushing for tariffs to be lifted, while Washington raises concerns over China’s economic model.

10 Oct 2021 - 12:07AMvideocam

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He acknowledged the importance of the bilateral trade relationship, and the impact that it has on the global economy. Photo: Xinhua

Expect more US carrots and sticks in China trade policy, experts say

Delay in policy statement reflects divisions in the government over what tack to take, Chinese observer says.

5 Oct 2021 - 11:33PMvideocam

China technology

China wants Beijing to become a magnet for tech talent

Chinese authorities say they will work to build more innovation facilities in Beijing and the Zhongguancun area.

27 Sep 2021 - 11:56PM

China’s top leaders move to reassure private sector amid Big Tech crackdown

President Xi Jinping and his top economic adviser, Vice-Premier Liu He, on Monday tried to reassure the private sector of its critical place in China’s economy, despite recent regulatory pressure.

21 Sep 2021 - 1:36PMvideocam

China’s leadership has tried to reassure private companies in the digital sector of their critical place in the economy, despite recent regulatory pressure. Photo: AP

Explainer | What is Mofcom and what role does it play in China?

China’s Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) was established in March 2003 and is responsible for trade negotiations and the relationship with the World Trade Organization (WTO).

5 Sep 2021 - 8:00PMvideocam

China’s Ministry of Commerce (Mofcom) is responsible for boosting domestic consumption, promoting exports and imports, attracting foreign direct investment, managing outbound investment affairs and taking part in global economic governance. Photo: Reuters

Death of ‘lifelong reformer’ a blow to pro-market camp in China

Economist Gao Shangquan was one of the architects of China’s reform and opening up in the late 1970s and Hong Kong’s handover from Britain in 1997.

29 Jun 2021 - 9:53PMvideocam

China trade

US wants to correct China trade ‘imbalances’, says top trade official

Parts of the relationship between China and the United States are ‘unhealthy’ and have been ‘damaging’ to the US economy, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai says.

7 Jun 2021 - 12:34PM

China-US relationship needs ‘cool heads and new strategy’ from Beijing

A state media commentary has welcomed a resumption in economic talks but warned against an emotional response to disputes.

4 Jun 2021 - 12:47PMvideocam

Economics and trade remain the cornerstone of China-US relations, a state media commentary has said. Photo: AP

Producer, consumer problems next on agenda for US-China trade talks

China Vice-Premier Liu He met US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday having held talks with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai last week.

4 Jun 2021 - 12:50PM

Vice-President Liu He held a virtual meeting with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday morning after China’s economic tsar had held talks with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai last week. Photo: AP