Gold purchases in China rose by 5.9 per cent in the first quarter compared with the same period in 2023, as consumers seek security in ‘the only safe asset’, analysts said.

Creating enough jobs for its young people remains a daunting challenge for Beijing, with the key private sector struggling to shake off scars of the coronavirus pandemic.

Air China will start to add international flights from Sunday, while bookings ahead of May Day holiday have surged, but flights to US are having a sluggish recovery.

A new type of rapeseed engineered in China can improve upon yields by 50 per cent, increasing the domestic harvest of edible oil and lessening the country’s reliance on imports.

Chinese-produced durian is set to be available to the public in July, with production from the tropical island of Hainan likely to reach 200 tonnes this year, although Thailand and Vietnam are set to remain the largest sources.

China is the world’s top producer and consumer of electric vehicles, and Beijing is now seeking the lead in hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Rainfall in the southwest province of Yunnan, which is one of China’s leading hydropower producers, fell by 42.3 per cent compared to normal levels this year.

China’s coming May Day holiday already has the makings of a major tourism rush, with early bookings exceeding pre-pandemic levels and the travel boom likely to fuel a much-desired round of consumption.

While first-quarter GDP data shows China is on course to meet its full-year economic growth target, policymakers are still being called on to bolster demand and introduce stronger policy support.

China’s widely watched gross domestic product (GDP) figure beat expectations in the first quarter after rising by 5.3 per cent year on year despite ongoing challenges.

New deep-sea mobile operation can reportedly drill to a depth of 9,085 metres, a record for China as Beijing looks to rely less on imported oil and gas amid rising geopolitical uncertainties.

China’s exports in March were dragged down by a higher base in the same period last year, but a strong recovery in demand in overseas markets is set to lead to ‘robust export growth’ this year, analysts said.

China’s consumer price index grew only slightly in March, while factory-gate prices fell for the 18th straight month, underscoring the need to speed up interest rate cuts, analysts said.

Beijing’s enhanced emphasis on stronger ‘productive forces’ is seen giving China a lift in its pursuit of aviation self-sufficiency as external pressure mounts.

A drought in China’s southwest has stoked fears the dry period could have severe knock-on effects, with agriculture, hydroelectric power and aluminium production all facing potential shortfalls.

A dearth of critical supplies for AI development, exacerbated by Washington’s tech-curtailment moves against China, is seen reflecting the need for a unified and better-funded domestic market.

China’s imports of Australian coal increased by 3,188 per cent year on year to US$1.34 billion in the first two months of 2024 amid improving relations between Beijing and Canberra.

Customs data for January and February shows how anti-subsidy probes and trade restrictions are taking a toll on new-energy sector, putting EV producers at risk of being squeezed out of the market.

China’s manufacturing and consumption gradually rebounded in the first two months of the year, and investment growth and industrial output beat market expectations, but the property market continued to drag.

Technology transfers have always been officially part of China’s belt and road plan, but analysts say those types of exchanges are being increasingly prioritised as Beijing bids to boost ties.

China is angling to replace industrial equipment and consumer goods through large-scale trade-ins– but the overall growth impact is uncertain.

A water desalination plant in the United Arab Emirates highlights China’s ongoing move towards the Middle East amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng plans to launch its first right-hand drive model in the second half of this year as it accelerates its push to go global, targeting markets such as Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

Human resources minister says structural issues are holding back growth in the overall employment market.

One of China’s most indebted provinces has brilliant bridges and vast roads, but also one of the nation’s worst per capita income levels, along with debt pressure that could weigh down the region for years.

Mayor Huang Zhihao says the centre aims to become a ‘digital city’ and forge closer links with Hong Kong and Macau.

China’s exports rose in combined figures for January and February compared to a year earlier along with imports, with strong showings from new energy goods and a notable jump in shipments to Russia.

China’s finance, commerce, banking, development and securities heads faced the press in Beijing on Wednesday during the annual ‘two sessions’.

In his maiden work report to the National People’s Congress, Li Qiang says growth target of 5 per cent won’t be easy.

China’s low-altitude economy is expected to reach 2 trillion yuan by 2030, with the burgeoning sector achieving another milestone this week with an intercity flight by an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.