48 m. ago China’s Xi Jinping makes case for free trade as supply chain expo opens

President Xi Jinping has spoken out against unilateral sanctions and trade barriers – reiterating China’s support for globalisation as the international economic environment turns more protectionist – in an article published on the opening day of a high-profile supply chain expo. Wednesday’s piece in Qiushi – the leading theoretical journal of the ruling Communist Party – compiles statements Xi has made on the topic since 2012. The article, titled “Unswervingly Advancing High-Level Opening Up”,...

Politics

48 m. ago China’s local governments urged to use legislation ‘propeller’ to power economy

China’s local governments should use their legislative power to support private companies, recruit talent and encourage technological innovation to develop their economies, Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily said in a commentary on Tuesday. “The reason local legislation can serve as a propeller in economic and social development is that it establishes a stable and open system, where all types of market entities can operate within the framework of the rule of law,” the article said. The...

Politics

4 h. ago The EU is doing itself no trade favours in pushing China on Russia

Ahead of the China-European Union summit, set to take place in Beijing on July 24, the 27-nation bloc seems determined to adopt a firm stance in its relationship with the world’s second-largest economy. While accusing China of aiding Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine, the EU also seeks what it sees as fairer economic relations. But can the growing pressure influence Beijing’s position on Moscow and the Ukraine conflict? In a recent speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said...

Politics

11 h. ago Trump’s trade policies drive Hong Kong industry’s ‘China plus N’ shift

Hong Kong’s industrial sector is increasingly adopting a “China plus N” strategy as a primary defence against unpredictable United States trade policies, with about 70 per cent of its members already operating in, or moving to, Southeast Asia, according to a report. Steve Chuang Tzu-hsiung, chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, said that this strategy was a calculated hedge against geopolitical volatility that has been years in the making. “You don’t know which madness [US...

Politics

11 h. ago Trump trade policies driving Hong Kong industry’s ‘China plus N’ shift: study

Hong Kong’s industrial sector is increasingly adopting a “China plus N” strategy as a primary defence against unpredictable United States trade policies, with about 70 per cent of its members already operating in, or moving to, Southeast Asia, according to a report. Steve Chuang Tzu-hsiung, chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, said on Tuesday that this strategy was a calculated hedge against geopolitical volatility that had been years in the making. “You don’t know which madness...

Politics

11 h. ago Alibaba, JD.com, Baidu Stocks Rise. China’s Economy Shows Resilience to Trump Tariffs.

Alibaba, JD.com, Baidu Stocks Rise. China’s Economy Shows Resilience to Trump Tariffs.  Barron's

Politics

12 h. ago China’s GDP figures, robots riding Shenzhen subway: SCMP daily highlights

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China’s strong GDP figures stoke debate over stimulus as US tariff risks loom China’s economy beat market forecasts to grow 5.2 per cent in the second quarter, but analysts said headwinds would intensify in late 2025. 2. Taiwanese leader said to be planning US ‘stopover’ that’s set to anger Beijing Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te is planning a US...

Politics

14 h. ago What if Chinese, US firms make humanoid robots together? CEO calls for a collab

The founder of a prominent Chinese robotics start-up sees great value in working with American peers to advance the global development of humanoid robots – and his call for stronger collaboration between the fractious trade partners comes as China’s private sector is playing an increasingly larger role in innovation. “China has a deep foundation in manufacturing and hardware, while the United States possesses a rich AI software ecosystem,” said Wang Xingxing, founder and CEO of Hangzhou-based...

Economics

15 h. ago China is about to shock the U.S. economy again. Economists who predicted the first offer a plan to fight back.

China is about to shock the U.S. economy again. Economists who predicted the first offer a plan to fight back.  MarketWatch

Economics

15 h. ago Chinese province quintuples marriage leave to give betrothals a boost

Authorities in the central Chinese province of Hubei have announced they would extend the duration of the region’s paid marriage leave to 15 days, the latest move from a local government to provide incentives for marriage and slow the country’s decline in birth rates. The extension, which includes the national minimum of three days, is meant to foster a more “family-friendly society”, according to a document issued by the provincial government on Monday. “To fully implement national regulations...

Politics

16 h. ago China’s economy grows by 5.3% in first half despite Trump’s trade war

China’s economy grows by 5.3% in first half despite Trump’s trade war  The Washington Post

Politics

17 h. ago China’s economy grows at a robust pace as trade truce eases pressure from US tariffs

China’s economy grows at a robust pace as trade truce eases pressure from US tariffs  AP News

Economics

17 h. ago ‘Financial burden’: why millions in China still quit national health insurance

More Chinese people dropped out of the voluntary health insurance scheme for urban and rural residents last year, the latest available data shows – piling pressure on the system amid economic challenges and declining public trust. The downward trend in participation – in a scheme designed for farmers and the unemployed – continued in 2024, with 15.8 million fewer people enrolled compared with 2023, according to figures released by the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) on...

Economics

20 h. ago China's economy slows as consumers tighten belts, US tariff risks mount

China's economy slows as consumers tighten belts, US tariff risks mount  Reuters

Economics

21 h. ago China’s economy grows at steady pace despite Trump’s trade war

China’s economy grows at steady pace despite Trump’s trade war  Al Jazeera

Politics

22 h. ago China’s economy grows 5.3% in first half, despite Trump’s trade war

China’s economy grows 5.3% in first half, despite Trump’s trade war  The Washington Post

Politics

23 h. ago China’s Economy Grows 5.2% as Factories Offset Weak Consumption

China’s Economy Grows 5.2% as Factories Offset Weak Consumption  Bloomberg.com

Politics

23 h. ago Developing | China’s economy withstands US tariff war with 5.2% growth in second quarter

Developing | China’s economy withstands US tariff war with 5.2% growth in second quarter  South China Morning Post

Economics

26 h. ago China's economy set to slow in Q2 as pressure from US tariffs mounts

China's economy set to slow in Q2 as pressure from US tariffs mounts  Reuters

Economics

35 h. ago China’s rare earth exports swell in June as Beijing relaxes controls

China’s rare earth exports surged in June to their highest level since December 2009, in what analysts said could be an early sign that recent behind-the-scenes agreements with the United States on the flow of critical minerals are beginning to bear fruit. Exports of the elements reached 7,742.2 tonnes last month – a 60 per cent increase from the 4,828.7 tonnes recorded in June 2024 – and a 32 per cent jump compared to the 5,865 tonnes reported this May, according to customs data. Rare earth...

Politics