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China’s trade surplus grew to an unprecedented level in 2024, buoyed by a rapid expansion of exports. Photo: Getty Images

Global Economy

Breaking | China trade surplus reaches record high with surge of pre-Trump exports

Riding a massive spike in exports, China saw an all-time high in its 2024 trade surplus – but US tariffs could spoil the party in 2025.

Open Questions | US diplomat and economist Robert Hormats on ‘embedded competition’ with China

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China vows all-out efforts on trade, FDI in fresh bid to kick-start economy

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China Economy

From toys to trading cards, China’s ‘goods economy’ drives generational spending

Cute and playful collectibles are a trillion-yuan industry in China, and their impact on commerce is expected to continue surging.

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LuLu the Piggy toys are among a growing market featuring collectable figurines. Photo: Instagram/luluthepiggy_official
LuLu the Piggy toys are among a growing market featuring collectable figurines. Photo: Instagram/luluthepiggy_official

China

China’s Hainan island seeks rapper’s delight with invites to US stars

The authorities are hoping to turn the island province into a major music destination after Kanye West sold out two shows last year.

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Science

Shanghai and Beijing unveil plans to boost brain computer interface industry

China’s biggest economic powerhouse seeks to become a ‘global innovation hub’ by developing treatments for blindness and paralysis.

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China Economy

China’s solar farms spread into new regions amid green energy push

Country’s largest mudflat solar photovoltaic energy storage facility combines salt production with photovoltaic power generation.

An offshore photovoltaic power project in the waters off Zhaoyuan, Shandong province. Photo: Xinhua
An offshore photovoltaic power project in the waters off Zhaoyuan, Shandong province. Photo: Xinhua

Global Economy

China gets major Nigeria rail project back on track by granting key loan

Chinese state lenders had pulled the plug on the Kaduna-Kano project in 2020, but have greenlit new financing on commercial terms.

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China Economy

China’s aviation sector in clear skies of profit after 4 turbulent years

Civil aviation in China returned to profitability in 2024, the industry’s first positive return after four years of pandemic-induced losses.

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China Economy

China’s central bank suspends bond purchases amid record low yields

Analysts say decline in China’s 10-year bond yield last year put pressure on yuan-US dollar exchange rate.

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The People’s Bank of China headquarters in Beijing. Photo: Kyodo

Global Economy

Chinese firms face stumbling blocks abroad: competitive mindsets may turn messy

Overseas scandals, setbacks shine light on problematic nature of deeply ingrained business mentality. And the less they notice your Chinese identity, the better, some say.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Policy

China pressures EU for talks to resolve ‘unfair’ trade barriers

China says the EU has used its Foreign Subsidies Regulation to unjustly target Chinese enterprises, but has yet to announce any retaliatory measures.

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Global Economy

Trade barriers against China hit record high in 2024 amid overcapacity fears

More developing countries initiated investigations targeting Chinese goods last year, and analyst says these included pre-emptive measures to prevent an import surge.

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Global Economy

Chinese firms ‘going global’ learn important lesson: integrate, or die

As China’s companies move to emerging markets, they find clients wanting infrastructure and pathways to local development as well as products.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Global Economy

Chinese cancel Thai holidays as actor Wang Xing’s kidnapping fuels safety fears

Thailand is expected to take a tourism and economic hit from Lunar New Year trip cancellations.

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A handout photo from the Royal Thai Police shows Chinese actor Wang Xing being escorted by officers after returning from Myanmar, at the police airport in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE
A handout photo from the Royal Thai Police shows Chinese actor Wang Xing being escorted by officers after returning from Myanmar, at the police airport in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

China Business

Can China’s solar industry find a solution before it’s too late?

Solar industry faces year of reckoning as Opec-style pact falters amid a price war and excess capacity.

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China Economy

Chinese cadres urged to splash the cash to boost consumption

District party chief in Chongqing says family members deserve new clothes, while authorities in Beijing expand appliance trade-in scheme.

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Policy

Explainer | What is China’s central economic work conference, and why does it matter?

China’s annual tone-setting central economic work conference is expected to convene this week at a key time for the world’s second-largest economy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the 2023 central economic work conference in Beijing. Photo: AP
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the 2023 central economic work conference in Beijing. Photo: AP

Economic Indicators

Explainer | China’s export boom not bust despite November deceleration: 5 takeaways

China’s exports grew by 6.7 per cent year on year in November, but the reading marked a slowdown from October rebound.

Global Economy

‘Get down to business’: China, Vietnam set aside maritime disputes for trade

Brisker trade and new investments in factories and infrastructure among the fruits of pragmatic approach to relationship.

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Economy

‘Persistent’ deflationary pressure remains for China: 4 inflation data takeaways

Consumer prices in China grew by 0.2 per cent in November, while the cost of goods at the factory gate fell for the 26th month in a row.

People buy vegetables at a market in Shenyang. Photo: AFP
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OPINION
Wang Xiangwei

Opinion | Trump’s tariffs might be just what China’s ailing economy needs

Wang Xiangwei
Mike Rowse

Opinion | Hong Kong faces hard choices on spending to fix its budget deficit

Mike Rowse
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Chris Rowley

Opinion | China’s work culture must change to give young people hope again

Chris Rowley
Anthony Rowley

Macroscope | Biden’s blocking of US Steel deal latest sign of globalisation in retreat

Anthony Rowley
Bernard Chan

Opinion | China will rein in vicious competition at the root of its overcapacity

Bernard Chan
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Nicholas Spiro

Macroscope | China needs urgent action to spark consumption and avoid Japan’s fate

Nicholas Spiro
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MULTIMEDIA
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BYD ‘slavery-like conditions’ strain China-Brazil relations

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China’s first civil manned airship delivered

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Will Japan’s economy recover under a new leader?

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Trump rally shooting T-shirts sold on China’s Taobao

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TRENDING TOPICS
China trade
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China's economic recovery
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Chinese cancel Thai holidays as actor Wang Xing’s kidnapping fuels safety fears

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Chinese firms ‘going global’ learn important lesson: integrate, or die