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State Council

State Council
The latest news and top stories on State Council, the highest state administrative organ and executive arm of the National People's Congress. Its primary mission involves implementing state policies, laws and managing the national economy, finances and foreign affairs. The State Council oversees various ministries and commissions, providing public services and ensuring national security.
Illustration: Brian Wang
Artificial intelligence

For China’s tech workers, AI ‘optimisation’ sounds like ‘unemployment’

China’s office workers are worrying whether their jobs can be done by artificial intelligence – and whether their companies will make the switch.

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Artificial intelligence

Surge in AI-related court cases fuels calls for China to clarify its laws

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China jobs

China’s gig economy is an employment reservoir – but is the well drying up?

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US-China tech war

China courts foreign firms with telecoms opening as US tightens curbs

China lifted the previous 50 per cent foreign ownership cap to allow wholly foreign-owned enterprises to operate within pilot zones.

A VAS licence allows firms to deploy their own data centres and private network access services in China. Photo: Shutterstock Images
US-China tech war

China boosts trade-war toolkit with cross-border investment overhaul

Unifying and strengthening cross-border investment rules will help China fight potential trade wars with the US and Europe.

Hong Kong economy

Beijing to release Hong Kong yacht policy with mainland port details next month

State Council revamps maritime policies, exempting Hong Kong and Macau yachts from customs guarantees and simplifying registration in Greater Bay Area.

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China property

China’s property developers see hope in massive urban renewal plan

Plan for 2026 to 2030 includes upgrades to pipelines, drainage, dilapidated homes, and facilities for education and elderly care.

Reinforced concrete drainage pipes are parked at a building materials company in Suqian, in eastern China’s Jiangsu province, on April 1, 2025. Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images
China GDP

China boosts services for migrant workers to spur consumption

Cities will have to give migrant workers and their families better access to healthcare and education services under a loosening of the household registration system.

China economy

China removes hukou hurdle for migrant workers in social insurance shake-up

Giving migrant and gig workers full social insurance access where they work is latest move to boost free flow of capital and talent.

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Artificial intelligence

China ramps up building national computing power network as AI token use surges

Beijing casts computing power as a national infrastructure, likening tokens to mobile data as telecoms firms roll out mass-market packages.

Rather than treating computing power as a resource controlled by cloud providers or individual data centres, policymakers are increasingly positioning it as a national infrastructure system. Photo: Shutterstock
Accidents and disasters in China

Exclusive | Wounded volunteer tells of risky clean-up at Chinese fireworks blast scene

Witnesses describe overwhelming smell of burnt gunpowder from site of explosion as authorities assess damage to nearby houses from the blast.

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Rescue work has been completed after an explosion at a fireworks plant in Liuyang, Hunan province. The explosion on Monday left 26 people dead and 61 others injured, authorities said. Photo: Xinhua
China jobs

China outlines new labour protection plan for nation’s 200 million gig workers

The 12-point document pledges stronger protections for gig-economy workforce, which has rapidly grown amid China’s economic slowdown.

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China's economic recovery

China to fuse software and steel with US$14tr sector to enhance manufacturing

Beijing is overhauling ‘producer services’ with upgrades and more specialisation to avert deindustrialisation and anchor advanced manufacturing.

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China energy security

China confronts Middle East supply shock, as State Council mulls energy strategy

Premier Li Qiang urges ‘bottom-line mentality’ to secure power as Beijing sees coal and Russian gas among options to offset reliance on imported crude.

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Premier Li Qiang presides over a State Council group study session on energy development on Monday. Photo Xinhua
China trade

Explaining China’s supply chain security rules

SCMP Plus annotates 18-point regulation issued by China’s State Council providing a legal basis for the country to respond to sanctions and export controls that threaten supply chains.

Explaining China’s supply chain security rules
Hong Kong politics

New constitutional affairs chief Janice Tse to lead Hong Kong’s first 5-year plan

Former environment permanent secretary appointed to post after city leader John Lee nominated her, citing Tse’s 38 years in government.

China trade

‘Careful scrutiny’ needed in China’s applications of AI: Jiang Xiaojuan

Stronger oversight needed as unchecked AI risks undermining jobs and data security, government advisers urge at the Boao Forum for Asia.

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Banking & finance

Former Hong Kong exchange executive Ba Shusong reported out of public sight

An economist, academic and frequent speaker on Hong Kong’s role linking mainland China to the world, Ba left HKEX in 2025.

Economist, professor and former HKEX executive Ba Shusong speaks at an event in Hong Kong on December 21, 2022. Photo: Jelly Tse
China manufacturing

A boat in every dock? Chinese billionaire unveils plan for mass yacht production

JD.com founder Richard Liu has launched a nautical brand with a massive investment in yacht production, aiming to make ownership affordable.

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China's population

China and South Korea team up on a vexing issue: their fast-ageing populations

After years of tense relations, the two nations are finding common ground over their need to adapt to an era of ‘super-aged societies’.

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Hong Kong politics

Protecting national security seen as key to Hong Kong’s stability

City leader hosts meeting of 150 officials, advisers, lawmakers and experts on State Council’s white paper on local affairs.

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Hong Kong and national flags. A white paper issued by Beijing earlier this week focused on Hong Kong’s obligation in protecting national security under the “one country, two systems” framework. Photo: Jelly Tse
China energy security

China to dismantle local power protectionism in push to electrify national grid

State Council directive eyes unified power market, curbing provincial fragmentation to boost green energy expansion and optimise resource flow.

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Workers are seen at a power substation in China’s Hebei province. Photo: Xinhua
US-China trade war

Chinese premier tours rare earths production hub amid rising US tech rivalry

Premier Li Qiang called for China to consolidate its lead in industries like rare earths, where Beijing has a strategic edge over Washington.

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Hong Kong politics

Struggle for national security an ‘enduring task’ for Hong Kong, Beijing says

John Lee says white paper issued by State Council serves as a stern warning to ‘traitors who betrayed the country and Hong Kong’.

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China’s private sector

China to probe food delivery platforms under anti-monopoly law

State Council announcement cites ‘excessive subsidies’ and ‘price wars’ in document unveiling market assessment for online delivery services.

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China has announced an antitrust investigation into its food delivery platforms. Photo: Shutterstock
China property

Beijing trims property resale tax in fresh push to stabilise housing market

Under new rules, sellers will pay just 3 per cent VAT if they offload a property within two years of purchase, down from 5 per cent.

Under new rules, individuals who sell a residential property within two years of buying it will pay VAT at 3 per cent instead of 5 per cent. Photo: Getty
China economy

China’s cabinet clears path for VAT law to take effect next month

State Council approves draft regulations to implement the new law, which aims to govern China’s biggest source of tax revenue.

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China economy

Opinion | Protection of vulnerable workers must be part of China’s AI strategy

Unemployment and underemployment are a double whammy that the Chinese leadership cannot ignore.

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