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China Future Tech
A Leapmotor Lafa5 Ultra is on display at the Beijing Auto Show on April 24. Photo: AFP

China Business

Chinese EV maker Leapmotor taps Stellantis’ Spanish plant for EU production

Hangzhou carmaker’s overseas strategy highlights how Chinese brands are leveraging idle plants to scale globally while easing trade barriers.

China’s shipping firms brace for a new ‘era of chaos’ as Iran war drags on

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Wall Street giants lead China-profit surge despite market polarisation

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Global Economy

How China’s sharper tech edge forces South Korea to rethink old industrial ties

Scholars urge a pivot to shared AI and EV standards and cooperation, while an upgraded China-South Korea free-trade pact is deemed vital.

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An artificial intelligence-powered robot works at a “convenience store” during the 2026 World IT Show in Seoul. Photo: EPA
An artificial intelligence-powered robot works at a “convenience store” during the 2026 World IT Show in Seoul. Photo: EPA

Diplomacy

Trump’s Beijing trip, Iran war diplomacy, tech earnings

This week: US President Donald Trump looks ahead to Beijing summit, China calls for reopening of Strait of Hormuz and tells companies to ignore US sanctions. Next week: JD.com, Alibaba and Tencent release earnings, trade data comes out, Hong Kong Affordable Art Show opens and more.

Global Economy

Trump invites Boeing, Mastercard CEOs to join China trip next week: sources

Donald Trump Jnr and Eric Trump will also join the high-stakes summit in Beijing, sources say.

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Global Economy

Tall story? Sophie la Girafe, France’s national toy, revealed to be Chinese-made

The maker of Sophie la Girafe reportedly ran a ‘fake’ factory in France for years, while secretly producing the iconic toy in China.

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Sophie la Girafe, the national toy of France, is actually manufactured in China, according to an investigation by a French media outlet. Photo: Sophie la Girafe
Sophie la Girafe, the national toy of France, is actually manufactured in China, according to an investigation by a French media outlet. Photo: Sophie la Girafe

China Business

Tesla China posts 36% sales rise, as local rivals nip at heels

April sales rose on a year-on-year basis but dropped from the previous month, indicating fiercer competition from domestic brands.

China Economy

China’s airship ambitions progress as first commercial pilots certified at home

The sector is advancing faster than the available talent pool – but officials call licences a ‘breakthrough’ moment.

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Global Economy

China robotics to drive next chapter of manufacturing dominance: Morgan Stanley

Strategic state-led investment and low production costs are expected to lift the nation’s manufacturing export share amid deployment of advanced automation.

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A guest interacts with a humanoid robot at the 2026 Chery International Business Summit in China’s Anhui province on April 28. Photo: Xinhua

China Business

China’s move to cut EV payment cycles may push weaker carmakers out: S&P

China’s weaker EV makers may soon be running on fumes as tighter payment cycles squeeze cash flow and curb price wars.

Employees work on the production line at a factory for Chery’s electric vehicles in Wuhu, Anhui province, China. Photo: Reuters
Employees work on the production line at a factory for Chery’s electric vehicles in Wuhu, Anhui province, China. Photo: Reuters

China Economy

Why US commercial stakes are ‘too high for Trump to ignore’ on China visit

After the US$37 billion, 300-plane deal from Trump’s last visit stalled, industry observers say the next one could be more flexible.

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Global Economy

Beijing vows action after EU cuts funding for projects using Chinese inverters

The commerce ministry warns the move will backfire on the EU, hitting its energy security and green transition.

Global Economy

China, US drive global debt to record $353 trillion – what’s behind the surge?

New report warns that rising conflicts, AI spending and energy security push are all expected to further increase global debt levels.

Global debt hit a record high of nearly US$353 trillion in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Institute of International Finance (IIF), with China and the United States largely driving the trend. Photo: EPA-EFE

Global Economy

Fuel shocks, thin margins: why China’s airlines should ‘heed Spirit’s mistakes’

Demise of US budget carrier seen as a warning sign of how turbulent it could get for China’s airlines with fragile bottom lines.

Spirit Airlines jets sit on a tarmac in the US state of Florida on Sunday after the company ceased operations. Photo: EPA
Spirit Airlines jets sit on a tarmac in the US state of Florida on Sunday after the company ceased operations. Photo: EPA

China Economy

China sets yuan at strongest level in 3 years as US dollar jitters simmer

Beijing is pushing for a stronger yuan to help globalise the currency, but the upswing could create issues for the country’s export giants.

China Economy

China’s energy security plan expands south: how Hainan is becoming an LNG hub

Global supply shocks have intensified in recent months – reaffirming Beijing’s years-long strategy.

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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
David Dodwell

Outside In | Prepare for ‘China shock 3.0’ to the global food economy

David Dodwell
Dominik Mierzejewski

Opinion | China wants its provinces to compete, but not get in each other’s way

Dominik Mierzejewski
Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | Australia’s interest rate rise signals growing hawkish stance in Asia

Nicholas Spiro
Matt Terrell

Opinion | America builds AI, China uses it. That gap may decide the future

Matt Terrell
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Zhou Xiaoming

Opinion | How US tech hegemony is locking out the Global South

Zhou Xiaoming
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Nicholas Spiro

The View | Energy crisis showcases strengths of China’s data centre market

Nicholas Spiro
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MULTIMEDIA
Video

World’s top condom maker to raise prices over Iran war

ONE condoms by Karex on display in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia April 21, 2026. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain
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The Iran war is going to hurt your skincare routine

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Small hobby businesses hit by rising costs from Iran war

Thai figurine studio founder calls for an urgent lifeline to help small businesses stay afloat
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Iran war sparks fuel crises in parts of Asia

Clients queue at a gas station amid rising petrol prices in Karachi on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP)
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TRENDING TOPICS
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