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China economy

China economy
Breaking news and analysis on China’s economy, including its opening up, the US-China trade war, the impact of tariffs and trade talks, growth rates and other key economic data, the Belt and Road Initiative, and Greater Bay Area plan.
According to China’s draft 15th five-year plan released last week, it will strengthen infrastructure in border areas. Photo: Xinhua
China-India relations

How China plans for greater power projection in Xinjiang and Tibet

China aims to finish 2 highways spanning all 9 land-border provinces, advance a highway on east coast and upgrade 3 highways into Tibet.

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China energy security

China’s energy defences ease sting of Iran war instability

Li Qiang

Opinion | China’s refocusing on social goals requires more than new metrics

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Semiconductors

China’s chip exports surge 73% as AI demand fuels semiconductor growth

Chip exports hit US$43.3 billion in January and February, outpacing China’s overall export growth of 21.8 per cent in the same period.

Semiconductor chips under process at a factory in Binzhou, in eastern China’s Shandong province. Photo: AFP
China exports

China’s exports surge 21.8% to start 2026 – biggest gain in 4 years

Despite an 11 per cent drop in US exports, China’s trade soared, buoyed by robust demand from Asean, the EU and other markets.

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Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks rebound after oil falls as Trump says Iran war could end soon

US objectives in Iran are ‘pretty well complete’ but the war could continue if Tehran attempted to stop global oil supplies, Trump says.

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Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Why China’s economic reset is a credibility test for Hong Kong

As China rewrites the growth playbook, Hong Kong must show it can anchor the offshore financing and price discovery this reset requires.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Hong Kong economy

Exclusive | Hong Kong tipped to be world’s top financial hub amid global yuan expansion plan

National People’s Congress deputy Li Yinquan says Hong Kong to gain substantially from Beijing’s push to internationalise yuan’s reach.

Two Sessions 2026

What 2 new laws at ‘two sessions’ mean for China’s financial superpower push

Two new laws may prove wide-ranging, spanning yuan’s global status to green finance and turning ambition into codified rules, analyst says.

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US-China trade war

US to counter China’s critical minerals dominance with innovative upgrades

New improvements in recycling electronic waste, refining and processing can close the gap on China, says Department of Energy official.

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Critical minerals have become a point of contention in the US-China relationship, with Beijing dominating the sector. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

China-US trade relations may reach a ‘tactical truce’, as 2 superpowers talk

Foreign companies in China quietly confident on US ties, but are bracing for ongoing geopolitical tensions.

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Companies in southern China are feeling growing confidence in the state of US-China relations. Photo: AFP
China energy security

China vows to stabilise oil and gas output in new 5-year plan amid global risks

Amid Mideast instability and US$100 oil, China is mapping out strategic production bases, underpinning long-term energy security.

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Artificial intelligence

China’s chip industry seeks more state support for AI dominance

Scholars and entrepreneurs in semiconductor sector urge Beijing to regulate prices of AI computing power, leverage strategic raw materials and fund tech solutions for self-reliance.

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China energy security

More gas from Russia? China flags new pipeline links amid Iran energy crisis

‘Preparatory work’ on pipeline, believed to be the Power of Siberia 2, included in five-year plan – but analysts say more details are needed.

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Gazprom’s Chayanda oil and gas condensate field, one of the largest in eastern Russia, is a resource base for the Power of Siberia pipeline. Photo: Tass/Abaca Press/TNS
Millionaires and billionaires

Adrian Cheng maps out investment plan in line with China’s 5-year plan

The former CEO of NWD plans to spend more time in mainland China this year to scope out tech investment targets.

Adrian Cheng said he has invested in a Chinese robotics firm. Photo: Handout
Two Sessions 2026

‘Two sessions’ 2026

China’s Premier Li Qiang lowered the annual GDP growth target to 4.5 to 5 per cent when he delivered the government work report at the “two sessions”, the country’s biggest annual political gathering.

China deflation

China’s inflation rises after holiday spending spree. Is 2% target reachable?

The consumer price index rose 0.8 per cent in the first two months of 2026, though analysts remain concerned about long-term deflation risks.

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China trade

Iran war fallout grows as China struggles to import vital fertiliser chemical

Supplies of sulphur – a key fertiliser ingredient – are tightening in China just as the spring planting season begins.

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Smoke rises above buildings in Tehran after air strikes on March 1. The escalating conflict in the Middle East is leading to tight supplies of sulphur in China. Photo: Getty Images
China property

China’s shoppers head for suburban outlets, a bright spot in retail property

Outlet spending nearly doubles to around US$36 billion over five years, prompting investment surge while urban malls suffer high vacancies.

Two Sessions 2026

Innovation plus livelihoods – the twin tracks of China’s 5-year plan

The country’s new economic blueprint targets hi-tech advances plus basic human needs such as nursing home beds.

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Boao Forum for Asia

Exclusive | Singapore, South Korea PMs to attend Boao Forum this month

The two join a growing string of leaders from developed and regional economies who have visited China this year.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong speaks during a joint news conference with South Korean President Lee Jae Mung following talks in Singapore on Monday. Photo: EPA/YONHAP
Two Sessions 2026

Beijing vows to expand imports amid ‘China shock’ fears

Beijing promises to source advanced tech, consumer goods and agricultural products from overseas while diversifying markets.

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Commerce Minister Wang Wentao speaks at the 14th National People’s Congress in Beijing on March 6. Photo: AFP
Two Sessions 2026

China’s 15th 5-year plan maps bold push for AI, fusion and frontier science

Beijing’s sweeping 2026-2030 plan lays out blueprint for navigating a complex and turbulent international environment.

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Two Sessions 2026

China pledges full support for tech sector with broad range of new policies

China’s top economic officials outline plans to support tech firms with stock market reforms and measures to stimulate demand.

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Yuan

Beijing vows yuan stability, fires back at currency-depreciation claims

PBOC governor reaffirms yuan stability, refuting trade partners’ accusations ahead of critical US talks in Paris.

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A woman walks by an exchange shop decorated with banknotes. There has been mounting pressure from China’s trade partners to allow the yuan to strengthen. Photo: Felix Wong
Two Sessions 2026

8 takeaways from the economic briefing at China’s ‘two sessions’

China’s top economic officials laid out their priorities for trade, technology and investment in 2026.

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China’s top economic officials answer questions at a press conference in Beijing on March 6, 2026. Photo: Xinhua
Two Sessions 2026

China to pursue commercial health insurance to ease strain, support innovation

Commercial health insurance enters China’s policy agenda as an ageing population and costs strain basic coverage.

Two Sessions 2026

China’s AI focus, growth target cut, US-China trade talks

This week: China aims to boost the digital economy, the full-year growth target is set at the lowest since 1991, Wang Yi calls for end to war in Iran. Next week: US-China trade talks, ‘two sessions’ press briefings, February CPI release and more.

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