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Peng Peng

Peng Peng is the Executive Chairman of the Guangdong Society of Reform, a prominent think tank affiliated with the provincial government in Guangzhou. He is a respected voice on China’s economic landscape, frequently commenting on national and regional policies. His expertise encompasses domestic demand, trade dynamics and the vital role of the private sector in economic growth. Peng has highlighted unstable employment and incomes as significant factors hindering demand. He also provides insights on government finance, austerity measures and the importance of technology and innovation for future development.

A button shaped like a silicon chip unlocks the exhibition hall at a Shanghai AI research institute. Photo: Wency Chen

Artificial intelligence

Shanghai lays out digital economy plan to catch up with Beijing, Shenzhen

Government to accelerate use of blockchain, build AI infrastructure in line with national mandate to boost digital contribution to GDP.

19 Aug 2026 - 9:30PM

Artificial intelligence

Home province of DeepSeek, Moonshot founders seeks to retain future AI talent

16 Aug 2026 - 11:00AM

China consumption

High-spending counties offer a rare bright spot amid China’s weak demand

16 Aug 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

China energy security

Power play: CATL wades into hydropower as China opens state projects further

Battery giant’s stake in Sichuan plant reflects Beijing’s push to diversify funding and inject market discipline into public infrastructure.

24 Jul 2026 - 9:00AM

The deal marks CATL’s latest involvement in hydropower projects, following Beijing’s pledge last year to open commercially viable public infrastructure to the private sector. Photo: Shutterstock

China's population

China’s state agencies are hiring retirees as the workforce rapidly ages

Universities, hospitals and government departments are actively recruiting retired former workers to cope with rapid demographic changes.

19 Jul 2026 - 9:00AM

Hong Kong courts

CUHK academic who allegedly hid marital status from woman denies indecent assault

Peng Peng accused of touching waist and hip of fellow scholar, but defence says he thought she was receptive to limited physical contact.

14 Jul 2026 - 7:02PM

Trending in China

Chinese boy’s US$30,000 phone fire sparks shocking dad lesson

Story quickly gained traction on mainland social media, drawing over 50 million views on related discussions.

25 Jun 2026 - 9:00AM

A young boy in China accidentally ignited smartphones worth over 200,000 yuan (US$30,000) while playing indoors. Photo: Douyin

China consumption

Why are cash-strapped Chinese cities spending millions to host TV shows?

Jiangshan spent heavily to host the Chinese version of ‘Running Man’, but the project has provoked backlash amid China’s economic slowdown.

21 Jun 2026 - 10:00AM

US-China tech war

Who pays when rockets explode? China rushes to insure SpaceX’s rivals

Wave of Chinese insurers is underwriting rockets and satellites, turning space risk into a new front in the China-US rivalry.

11 Jun 2026 - 7:30PM

Banking & finance

‘Tell the story well’: China pushes brokerages to shape stock market narrative

Regulators are moving to tighten oversight of brokerage research, aligning assessment criteria more closely with policy goals.

29 May 2026 - 3:00PM

An electronic board shows Shanghai stock indices as people walk on a pedestrian bridge in the Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai on March 2. Photo: Reuters

China economy

Will China’s residency changes to social insurance unlock economic growth?

The State Council’s decision to decouple household registration from welfare services could have benefits for society as a whole, analysts say.

23 May 2026 - 5:00PM

China-Russia relations

Xi-Putin meeting: everything you need to know from the Beijing talks

From Putin’s ‘second home’ to his reunion with a Chinese engineer, here’s all you need to know from the Beijing meeting.

21 May 2026 - 4:44AM

China-Russia relations

How Putin’s chance encounter with a Chinese boy in Beijing shaped a life

Over 25 years ago, a young boy in Beihai Park caught the attention of Russia’s then new president as he visited China for the first time.

20 May 2026 - 7:54PMvideocam

Transport and logistics

China’s up-and-coming cities plan second airports as competition soars

Emerging economic centres are looking to broaden their aviation networks as local governments seek greater international, regional connectivity.

17 May 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Passengers at Beijing Daxing International Airport in 2023. The second major airport in China’s capital city opened in 2019. Photo: AFP

Artificial intelligence

AI | China’s tech giants look to rewrite the e-commerce playbook with AI agents

The nation’s over 900 million e-commerce users are taking part in an experiment where rigid search terms are replaced by natural dialogue.

15 May 2026 - 8:00PM

Small shopping cart on a laptop keyboard signifies convenience in digital purchases. Photo: Shutterstock Images

China manufacturing

How China’s industrial tourism is creating a new generation of tech-savvy kids

Electric vehicle and drone factory visits are on the rise, turning workplaces into educational sites in the AI era.

3 May 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong urged to be more proactive in removing barriers with Shenzhen

New Shenzhen party chief Jin Lei has conducted high-profile visits to major joint projects between two cities in his first month.

19 Apr 2026 - 7:52PM

China jobs

Shanghai mobilises seniors to work longer amid China’s demographic crisis

With one in three residents above retirement age, Shanghai’s 28-department plan aims to mobilise retirees to offset shrinking payrolls and rising pension strains.

19 Apr 2026 - 4:00PM

A group of older Chinese people gather at Shanghai’s Fuxing Park. The city is now encouraging seniors to return to work. Photo: Shutterstock

Trending in China

China family buries luxury car as offering, prompts official reprimand, public apology

Death of ‘avid collector’ of expensive vehicles sparks bizarre funeral ceremony which raises environmental fears.

18 Apr 2026 - 6:23PM

Shenzhen

Shenzhen’s new party boss has taken the wheel but can he deliver ahead of Apec?

Jin Lei is focused on preparations for the regional summit, including tackling the long-standing problem of e-scooters.

14 Apr 2026 - 10:00AM

China shipbuilding

China’s high-end yacht owners say industry growth stifled by structural gaps

Shipowners say billionaire Richard Liu’s new venture to make yacht ownership more affordable will need to surmount significant challenges.

29 Mar 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

China trade

Chinese island province wants more than beachgoers as it chases economic growth

After three speculative booms – and busts – the island province is seeking sustainable growth based on new status as a free-trade port.

24 Mar 2026 - 9:38AMvideocam

China consumption

Ne Zha 2 hangover? China’s Lunar New Year box office plunges to 6-year low

China’s holiday box office fell nearly 40 per cent year on year as studios failed to find a breakout hit to match last year’s Ne Zha 2.

24 Feb 2026 - 5:30PM

China's economic recovery

China tightens rail approvals as Xi warns on waste and ‘operational’ trouble

Intercity lines face stricter break-even rules, as the central government cracks down on ‘back-door’ metro projects and looks to curb redundant infrastructure spending.

27 Jan 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Trending in China

China office workers run to bond with peers, clients, pressured to meet speed targets

Working-on the run craze hits big cities as some firms formalise fitness regimes; trend mirrors rise in popularity of marathon running.

18 Jan 2026 - 4:00PM

Middle-class workers in China’s big cities are using running to bond with co-workers and clients, with many finding it helps to boost their work performance and health. Photo: Shutterstock

US-China trade war

AI is reshaping US-China tech race – can electricity tilt the balance?

Already home to world’s largest power system, Beijing moves to lock in advantage through record investment.

16 Jan 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

A drone photo taken on December 16, 2025, shows a power transmission line in east China’s Anhui province. Photo: Xinhua

China deflation

China’s solar firms, once deemed too competitive, now face monopoly accusations

Major producers are suspected of using Beijing’s anti-involution campaign as an excuse to rig prices.

12 Jan 2026 - 4:00PM

China GDP

China’s powerhouse province targets doubling GDP by 2035 – but can it deliver?

Southern province in Greater Bay Area has fallen short of national average since 2021, but new proposals pin hope on hi-tech industries.

11 Dec 2025 - 6:21PMvideocam

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Peng Peng

Shanghai lays out digital economy plan to catch up with Beijing, Shenzhen

Government to accelerate use of blockchain, build AI infrastructure in line with national mandate to boost digital contribution to GDP.

Home province of DeepSeek, Moonshot founders seeks to retain future AI talent

High-spending counties offer a rare bright spot amid China’s weak demand

Power play: CATL wades into hydropower as China opens state projects further

Battery giant’s stake in Sichuan plant reflects Beijing’s push to diversify funding and inject market discipline into public infrastructure.

China’s state agencies are hiring retirees as the workforce rapidly ages

Universities, hospitals and government departments are actively recruiting retired former workers to cope with rapid demographic changes.

CUHK academic who allegedly hid marital status from woman denies indecent assault

Peng Peng accused of touching waist and hip of fellow scholar, but defence says he thought she was receptive to limited physical contact.

Chinese boy’s US$30,000 phone fire sparks shocking dad lesson

Story quickly gained traction on mainland social media, drawing over 50 million views on related discussions.

Why are cash-strapped Chinese cities spending millions to host TV shows?

Jiangshan spent heavily to host the Chinese version of ‘Running Man’, but the project has provoked backlash amid China’s economic slowdown.

Who pays when rockets explode? China rushes to insure SpaceX’s rivals

Wave of Chinese insurers is underwriting rockets and satellites, turning space risk into a new front in the China-US rivalry.

‘Tell the story well’: China pushes brokerages to shape stock market narrative

Regulators are moving to tighten oversight of brokerage research, aligning assessment criteria more closely with policy goals.

Will China’s residency changes to social insurance unlock economic growth?

The State Council’s decision to decouple household registration from welfare services could have benefits for society as a whole, analysts say.

Xi-Putin meeting: everything you need to know from the Beijing talks

From Putin’s ‘second home’ to his reunion with a Chinese engineer, here’s all you need to know from the Beijing meeting.

How Putin’s chance encounter with a Chinese boy in Beijing shaped a life

Over 25 years ago, a young boy in Beihai Park caught the attention of Russia’s then new president as he visited China for the first time.

China’s up-and-coming cities plan second airports as competition soars

Emerging economic centres are looking to broaden their aviation networks as local governments seek greater international, regional connectivity.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}AI | China’s tech giants look to rewrite the e-commerce playbook with AI agents

The nation’s over 900 million e-commerce users are taking part in an experiment where rigid search terms are replaced by natural dialogue.

How China’s industrial tourism is creating a new generation of tech-savvy kids

Electric vehicle and drone factory visits are on the rise, turning workplaces into educational sites in the AI era.

Hong Kong urged to be more proactive in removing barriers with Shenzhen

New Shenzhen party chief Jin Lei has conducted high-profile visits to major joint projects between two cities in his first month.

Shanghai mobilises seniors to work longer amid China’s demographic crisis

With one in three residents above retirement age, Shanghai’s 28-department plan aims to mobilise retirees to offset shrinking payrolls and rising pension strains.

China family buries luxury car as offering, prompts official reprimand, public apology

Death of ‘avid collector’ of expensive vehicles sparks bizarre funeral ceremony which raises environmental fears.

Shenzhen’s new party boss has taken the wheel but can he deliver ahead of Apec?

Jin Lei is focused on preparations for the regional summit, including tackling the long-standing problem of e-scooters.

China’s high-end yacht owners say industry growth stifled by structural gaps

Shipowners say billionaire Richard Liu’s new venture to make yacht ownership more affordable will need to surmount significant challenges.

Chinese island province wants more than beachgoers as it chases economic growth

After three speculative booms – and busts – the island province is seeking sustainable growth based on new status as a free-trade port.

Ne Zha 2 hangover? China’s Lunar New Year box office plunges to 6-year low

China’s holiday box office fell nearly 40 per cent year on year as studios failed to find a breakout hit to match last year’s Ne Zha 2.

China tightens rail approvals as Xi warns on waste and ‘operational’ trouble

Intercity lines face stricter break-even rules, as the central government cracks down on ‘back-door’ metro projects and looks to curb redundant infrastructure spending.

China office workers run to bond with peers, clients, pressured to meet speed targets

Working-on the run craze hits big cities as some firms formalise fitness regimes; trend mirrors rise in popularity of marathon running.

AI is reshaping US-China tech race – can electricity tilt the balance?

Already home to world’s largest power system, Beijing moves to lock in advantage through record investment.

China’s solar firms, once deemed too competitive, now face monopoly accusations

Major producers are suspected of using Beijing’s anti-involution campaign as an excuse to rig prices.

China’s powerhouse province targets doubling GDP by 2035 – but can it deliver?

Southern province in Greater Bay Area has fallen short of national average since 2021, but new proposals pin hope on hi-tech industries.

AI | China’s tech giants look to rewrite the e-commerce playbook with AI agents