9 h. ago China’s AI and EV boom drives record power demand, widening energy gap with US

China’s total electricity consumption hit a record high of 10.4 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2025, more than double that of the US, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said on Saturday. The 5 per cent jump from the previous year marked the first time in China’s history that annual electricity consumption had surpassed 10 trillion kWh – the highest in the world and more than the combined total of the European Union, Russia, India and Japan, state broadcaster CCTV said, citing NEA...

Politics

16 h. ago China Consumed Twice the Electricity of the US in 2025: CCTV

China Consumed Twice the Electricity of the US in 2025: CCTV  Bloomberg.com

Politics

45 h. ago China’s Slowdown Is Set to Deepen as Pivot to Consumption Stalls

China’s Slowdown Is Set to Deepen as Pivot to Consumption Stalls  Bloomberg.com

Politics

65 h. ago China’s Alibaba Links Qwen AI App to Vast Consumer Ecosystem

China’s Alibaba Links Qwen AI App to Vast Consumer Ecosystem  The Wall Street Journal

Politics

69 h. ago China’s EV makers face slowdown in export growth after doubling in 2025

China’s electric vehicle (EV) exports doubled in 2025 amid rising overseas demand for affordable cars and Beijing’s anti-involution campaign. The country – the world’s leading EV manufacturer – sold more than 2.6 million units to overseas markets last year, up 104 per cent from a year earlier, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) on Wednesday. Despite persistent trade tensions, Chinese brands were expected to further deepen their presence in overseas...

Politics

3 d. ago Why mortgage subsidies could be key to getting China’s consumers spending

Why mortgage subsidies could be key to getting China’s consumers spending  South China Morning Post

Economics

3 d. ago Trump Could Hurt China, India, Even US Consumers to Get to Iran

Trump Could Hurt China, India, Even US Consumers to Get to Iran  Bloomberg.com

Politics

6 d. ago Where stock analysts predict China’s consumers will spend in 2026

Where stock analysts predict China’s consumers will spend in 2026  CNBC

Politics

6 d. ago Changing tastes: China’s new affluent consumers seek quality not extravagance

In a premium supermarket in Shanghai one recent weekend, 33-year-old information technology specialist Zhao Wenyu paused in front of the health food aisle, comparing protein content and ingredient lists on imported granola and organic milk – rather than checking discounts. Zhao now spends around 3,000 yuan (US$420) a month on organic food, nutritional supplements and functional beverages, up from about 1,200 yuan three years ago. “I don’t mind paying more if I am satisfied with the product’s...

Politics

8 d. ago China Consumer Market: Beijing broadens retail landscape with 'first

China Consumer Market: Beijing broadens retail landscape with 'first-store' economy  news.cgtn.com

Politics

8 d. ago China’s consumer prices edge up to 0.8% as economic recovery lags forecasts; PPI decline 1.9% in December

China’s consumer prices edge up to 0.8% as economic recovery lags forecasts; PPI decline 1.9% in December  Seeking Alpha

Economics

8 d. ago China’s consumer prices stay flat in 2025 amid focus on price wars, domestic demand

China’s consumer prices stayed unchanged from the previous year in 2025 while factory-gate prices fell by 2.6 per cent, suggesting lingering deflationary pressures and underscoring the need for further efforts to boost prices in 2026. The flat annual reading of the consumer price index (CPI), a major inflation indicator, missed the official 2 per cent growth target for the metric unveiled in March and slowed from the 0.2 per cent increase in 2024, according to data released by the National...

Events

8 d. ago China’s consumer prices stay flat in 2025 amid focus on price wars

China’s consumer prices stay flat in 2025 amid focus on price wars  South China Morning Post

Events

1 week ago China’s telecoms giants bet on AR smart glasses with major investment in RayNeo

Chinese smart glasses maker RayNeo on Monday said it secured funding from the country’s major state telecommunications operators, as eyewear emerges as the next gadget with the ability to access artificial intelligence services along with smartphones. The investment from subsidiaries of China Unicom and China Mobile comes as RayNeo debuts the world’s first consumer augmented reality (AR) glasses integrated with eSIM and 4G connectivity at CES, the annual consumer electronics trade show in Las...

Politics

2 w. ago As the US struggles with affordability, consumer confidence eludes China

One of the most resonant words in the United States today is “affordability”. From rent and utilities to groceries and medical bills, prices seem to keep climbing. The term has helped Democrats win a string of local elections. It has also become a favourite target of US President Donald Trump. At a rally in Pennsylvania last month, the US president dismissed talk of affordability as a Democratic “hoax”. That stance came months after Trump revived the threat of sweeping tariffs, declared...

Politics

2 w. ago Opinion | As the US struggles with affordability, consumer confidence eludes China

Opinion | As the US struggles with affordability, consumer confidence eludes China  South China Morning Post

Politics

2 w. ago China tightens energy consumption rules for electric vehicles

China tightens energy consumption rules for electric vehicles  electrive.com

Science

2 w. ago Singapore defies Trump’s tariffs as manufacturing drives growth

Singapore’s pharmaceutical and electronic manufacturers powered the economy in the final three months of 2025, pushing full-year growth to the fastest since its rebound from the pandemic despite fears of a shock from President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Gross domestic product last quarter grew 5.7 per cent from the same period a year ago, according to an advance estimate on Friday from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. That compares with a 6.3 per cent median estimate in a Bloomberg survey and...

Politics

2 w. ago Small restaurants in China starve as consumers suppress spending appetite

Small restaurants in China starve as consumers suppress spending appetite  South China Morning Post

Politics

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

More young Chinese consumers are opting for bed-and-breakfast stays at private villas to ring in the New Year, drawn to the larger space, set-up options and enhanced privacy offered by these properties, leading to a fresh round of competition for hoteliers. That has prompted B&B operators to step up efforts in creating distinct ritualistic experiences – such as group countdown events, fireworks displays and complimentary bottles of wine – to attract more guests while standing out in a crowded...

Politics