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A display promoting the record-breaking animated hit Ne Zha 2 is seen in China’s Liaoning province on February 13. Photo: Xinhua

China Economy

China’s box office up 22% in 2025 to US$7.4 billion, led by smash hit Ne Zha 2

World’s second-largest movie market sees domestic films capture nearly 80 per cent of sales, while Disney’s Zootopia sequel sets new high for imported titles.

China must take action to avoid Japan-style deflation spiral, scholars warn

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Hong Kong interbank rates forecast to drop on expected 2026 US monetary easing

China Economy

How the ‘world’s supermarket’ rode out Trump’s tariffs – and grew even stronger

Yiwu, one of China’s biggest export hubs, was expected to take a hit from US tariffs. Instead, it has seen trade surge.

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Vendors work at the Yiwu International Trade Market, a vast emporium for wholesale goods often dubbed the “world’s supermarket”, in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. The city has recorded strong growth in exports this year despite the US-China trade war. Photo: AFP
Vendors work at the Yiwu International Trade Market, a vast emporium for wholesale goods often dubbed the “world’s supermarket”, in Yiwu, Zhejiang province. The city has recorded strong growth in exports this year despite the US-China trade war. Photo: AFP

China Economy

China’s service sector shines as holidaymakers eye bespoke adventures with pets

While broader consumption remains soft, demand for personalised itineraries and snow sports is growing, offering a boost to the holiday economy.

China Business

Small restaurants in China starve as consumers suppress spending appetite

Per-capita spending per meal has dropped nearly 24 per cent since 2023, data provider says, as property slump sows uncertainty.

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China Business

China’s Gen Z consumers drive rise in homestay bookings to ring in the new year

Gen Z travellers made up more than 50 per cent of total homestay bookings for the 2026 New Year’s holiday period.

Bookings for stand-alone villas during the 2026 New Year’s holiday period have surged, according to Tujia. Photo: Shutterstock
Bookings for stand-alone villas during the 2026 New Year’s holiday period have surged, according to Tujia. Photo: Shutterstock

China Economy

China’s next decade to cement status as hi-tech manufacturing power: reports

The coming 10 years will see significant advances in cutting-edge sectors, reinforcing industrial dominance, according to new reports.

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Global Economy

China’s January 1 silver curbs to deepen global crunch amid volatility: analysts

Beijing’s new export-licensing system seen squeezing foreign buyers, pushing price towards US$100 an ounce; Elon Musk joins warning chorus.

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Global Economy

China imposes beef-import quota, adds over-quota tariffs to guard local industry

From Thursday, over-quota imports from Brazil, Australia, US and other trade partners face new duties to help local producers recover amid price declines.

Handlers move cattle at a livestock market in Canuelas, Argentina, in October. China is kicking off 2026 with additional tariffs on beef imports exceeding specific quotas for major trading partners. Photo: AP

Global Economy

Nexperia, Wingtech set for fresh face-off in January with US$8 billion at stake

Dutch chipmaker’s Chinese owner warns of multi-track legal action, seeking full control of the firm and damages for improper seizure amid supply-chain tensions.

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Flags fly next to a logo of Nexperia at the facade of its factory in Dongguan, Guangdong province, amid a diplomatic standoff between China and the Netherlands over the company. Photo: Reuters
Flags fly next to a logo of Nexperia at the facade of its factory in Dongguan, Guangdong province, amid a diplomatic standoff between China and the Netherlands over the company. Photo: Reuters

Banking & Finance

China housing market gets VAT relief on resales but demand outlook stays subdued

Policy lowering VAT to 3 per cent reduces seller costs but demand recovery is key to stabilising the housing sector, property agents say.

Policy

China rolls out trade-in funding for 2026 as campaign to spur spending continues

The programme, which has helped stimulate consumption increases, will continue to subsidise purchases of big-ticket goods and refurbishments.

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China Business

Beijing renews trade-in subsidy scheme amid domestic car market’s gloomy outlook

Buyers who replace their petrol and electric cars with new vehicles will receive a cash subsidy of up to US$2,858 per unit.

A BYD electric car at an exhibition in Shanghai. Buyers of an electric vehicle for replacement purposes would get a subsidy equivalent to 12 per cent of the newly bought car’s price. Photo: AFP

China Economy

China’s factory activity breaks 8-month contraction, but headwinds persist

China’s manufacturing PMI rose to 50.1 in December, but analysts said it was too early to point to a sustained recovery.

A major indicator of China’s factory activity returned to expansion in December, after eight straight months of contraction. Photo: AFP
A major indicator of China’s factory activity returned to expansion in December, after eight straight months of contraction. Photo: AFP

China Economy

Airbus scores major win in China with orders for 148 A320 aircraft

The flurry of orders, worth billions of US dollars, marks a big victory for the European aviation firm over US rival Boeing in a key market.

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Policy

Xi renews call to boost grain output after trade war sharpens food security push

Beijing renews push to fortify domestic crop supplies and modernise agriculture amid a tense geopolitical climate.

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Global Economy

Why America’s brute-force effort on rare earths may not work against China

China spent decades carving out a commanding lead in the rare earth realm. Now the US wants its old piece of the supply chain back – is it still within reach?

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Illustration: Henry Wong

Global Economy

Chinese ‘vertical dramas’ are booming in America. Should Hollywood be worried?

Chinese platforms hosting bite-size soap operas about werewolves and mafia dons are drawing big audiences – and shaking up the streaming market.

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China Economy

As megacities slow, China’s smaller counties lead as new consumer hotspots

Survey last year found that nearly 80 per cent of consumers in China’s third- and fourth-tier cities were optimistic about the economy.

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China Economy

China rises up ‘elite quality’ league table as AI investment booms

China ranked 19th in the latest Elite Quality Index, which assesses whether national elites create sustainable value for their countries.

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Visitors watch humanoid robots fight at the Unitree Robotics booth during the World Robot Conference in Beijing. China has invested heavily in artificial intelligence, robotics and other emerging sectors in recent years. Photo: Reuters
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OPINION
Richard Harris

Opinion | Rising markets, falling interest rates and more: 5 investment myths for 2026

Richard Harris
Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | What to expect from Chinese stocks in 2026

Nicholas Spiro
James David Spellman

Opinion | How China’s home-grown luxury labels took on Western brands

James David Spellman
Nicholas Spiro

The View | How AI helped Asia’s real estate sector pass the tariff stress test

Nicholas Spiro
David Dodwell

Outside In | As the US pursues unilateralism, China faces challenging task as Apec host

David Dodwell
Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | Why Wall Street remains bullish on China amid economic slowdown

Nicholas Spiro
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

Shares in Baby Shark creator soar on IPO debut

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China’s ‘Goddess of Wealth’ jailed for over 11 years by UK court

China cryptoqueen jailed for more than 11 years by UK court over US$6.4 billion bitcoin fraud
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Video

US-China soybean row leaves farmers caught in the middle

US-China soybean row leaves farmers caught in the middle
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Why is China’s youth unemployment rate so high?

People read job information at a job fair in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province, April 18, 2020.
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TRENDING TOPICS
China trade
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China's economic recovery
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