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China Future Tech

Allowing employees to sign up for social insurance where they work could have benefits for the economy as a whole, observers say. Photo: Getty Images

Politics

Will China’s residency changes to social insurance unlock economic growth?

The State Council’s decision to decouple household registration from welfare services could have benefits for society as a whole, analysts say.

2 hours ago

China told the solar industry to cut capacity. Firms built new factories anyway

3 hours agovideocam

Wingtech sues Dutch unit Nexperia for US$1.17b amid delisting risk

3 hours ago

Banking & Finance

China’s property developers seek semiconductor salvation with chip side-hustles

Unprofitable real estate firms see shares soar after buying into silicon assets, and analysts weigh whether it is a safe bet or banking on a big bailout.

23 May 2026 - 10:30AMvideocam

Employees work at a semiconductor factory in China’s Shandong province. Some of the nation’s struggling property developers have announced investments in the chipmaking sector. Photo: AFP

China Business

SpaceX share sale won’t drain Hong Kong IPO boom, JPMorgan says

Bank sees strong demand for Chinese AI, robotics and healthcare listings despite SpaceX’s projected record-breaking IPO in the US.

23 May 2026 - 9:30AM

Global Economy

Putin left China, with no pipeline deal. Why is the valve still closed?

Though this week’s China-Russia summit featured many agreements, none progressed the long-delayed Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline.

23 May 2026 - 6:45AMvideocam

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China removes hukou hurdle for migrant workers in social insurance shake-up

Giving migrant and gig workers full social insurance access where they work is latest move to boost free flow of capital and talent.

22 May 2026 - 10:31PMvideocam

Migrant workers in Yunnan province head to a railway station during Chinese New Year in February 2024. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

China Economy

China’s top trade negotiator urges Apec to grow economic pie, divide it fairly

At ministerial meeting in Suzhou, Li Chenggang urges representatives of 21 economies to ‘reject zero-sum thinking’.

22 May 2026 - 8:00PM

China Economy

HSBC cuts China retail sales forecast by nearly half on property, job pressures

Consumption is facing renewed pressure as a weak labour market and diminishing returns from subsidies cloud outlook, the bank says.

22 May 2026 - 7:17PM

China Economy

How China and Kazakhstan plan to boost food security through trade

The agreement highlights Beijing’s push to rewire agricultural supply chains, as it seeks to reduce vulnerability in global markets.

22 May 2026 - 6:00PM

Kazakh Agriculture Vice-Minister Yermek Kenzhekhanuly and Liu Huanxin, head of China’s National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, agree to launch a joint grain-trading platform to bolster food security. Photo: gov.kz

China Economy

China overtakes US to become top foreign investor in Germany

Deteriorating transatlantic relationship and high energy and labour costs are making American firms think twice before moving into German market.

22 May 2026 - 4:02PM

President Xi Jinping welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the State Guest House in Beijing on February 25. Photo: DPA

Global Economy

AIIB launches US$10 billion facility to help nations hit by Iran war fallout

The new facility will help nations deal with urgent energy, food and economic resilience needs, according to the bank.

22 May 2026 - 7:07PMvideocam

China Economy

China’s new US$10.7 billion canal near completion to boost Asean trade links

The Pinglu Canal – a US$10 billion waterway connecting China’s heartlands to the Gulf of Tonkin – will begin trial operations as soon as September.

22 May 2026 - 2:40PM

China Economy

China-Russia: energy ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met Russian leader Vladimir Putin more than 40 times since taking office, highlighting close ties between the two nations. Still, plans for the long-delayed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline remain on hold.

22 May 2026 - 4:17PM

China-Russia: energy ties

China Economy

From mine to market: how China is closing critical mineral security gaps

New law coordinates control over the full supply chain as Beijing frames minerals as a national security priority.

22 May 2026 - 7:00AM

Blocks with symbols and atomic numbers of rare earth elements in this illustration taken on January 21. Photo: Reuters

China Economy

As Chinese supertankers cross Strait of Hormuz, is the crisis starting to ease?

Two Chinese tankers were among group of vessels transiting vital waterway on Wednesday, but was it a one-off or the start of a new trend?

21 May 2026 - 10:38PMvideocam

Global Economy

Asia-Pacific trade risks loom large as Apec official warns of protectionism

China is urged to evolve as a world buyer, ahead of ministers’ gathering in Suzhou where a raft of far-reaching trade issues will be discussed.

21 May 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

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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?

6 Aug 2025 - 10:14AMvideocam

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.

17 Aug 2025 - 7:51AM

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.

15 Aug 2025 - 8:41AMvideocam

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.

15 Aug 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

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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How China’s malls are trying to stay relevant

Wire

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

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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