24 h. ago In Japan, fears of China’s antibiotics dominance spur calls for self

Medical professionals in Japan are concerned that China could dramatically ramp up trade pressure on Tokyo by adding antibiotics and ingredients for medicines to its list of exports subject to restrictions. Despite efforts over the last three years to increase domestic production of a range of commonly used medicines in Japan, the domestic medical sector still relies heavily on imports from China and restricting or halting imports would cause “huge trouble”, according to the experts. “Japan...

Politics

41 h. ago China warns of ‘honey trap’ risks in defence sector after official jailed for espionage

Chinese state security authorities recently warned of “honey trap” risks in the defence and technology sectors, citing a case in which a public official was blackmailed into surrendering state secrets following a trip abroad. A social media account affiliated with the National Administration of State Secrets Protection published an article on Wednesday stating that personnel in the military industry were becoming targets of honey traps by foreign intelligence agencies and provided details of a...

Events

66 h. ago China to cut relending rates, widen credit support for private sector and tech

China’s central bank is looking to pump 900 billion yuan (US$129.2 billion) worth of additional funds into private and technology firms, alongside slashing key policy relending rates by a quarter of a percentage point, in a fresh round of monetary easing designed to shore up the economy. The new plan includes an extra 500 billion yuan for agriculture and small businesses, said Zou Lan, a deputy governor of the bank, at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday. The bank will also expand its...

Politics

3 d. ago China’s mighty green tech sector still has stubborn weak points

China’s mighty green tech sector still has stubborn weak points  Financial Times

Science

9 d. ago China seeks ‘safe and reliable’ AI supply as global tech race heats up

China has vowed to achieve “safe and reliable supply” in key artificial intelligence (AI) technologies by 2027 as the global race for frontier technologies and applications heats up. A plan published on Wednesday by eight government agencies, led by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, listed the main areas of work to reach the goal, including promoting the deep application of three to five general-purpose large AI models in the manufacturing sector. “By 2027, China’s key core...

Politics

1 week ago China Vanke offshore bondholders face near wipeout in Barclays worst

Offshore bondholders of distressed developer China Vanke could face near-total losses in a worst-case scenario, according to Barclays, underscoring the deepening risks in mainland China’s property sector. In a base-case scenario, bondholders may recover just 10.1 per cent of what they were owed, roughly half what already deeply distressed market prices suggested, the British bank said in a report. However, in a worst-case scenario, assuming lower proceeds from onshore assets and netting out...

Politics

1 week ago Tesla hits record sales; Chinese carmakers eye third of global market: 7 EV reads

We have put together stories from our coverage on electric and new energy vehicles from the past two weeks to help you stay informed. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China’s EV sector doubles down on discounts and cheap financing as growth cools Electric vehicle makers have kicked off a fresh round of price cuts in mainland China at the start of 2026, despite Beijing’s repeated calls to curb “involution”, as pressure on margins and survival...

Economics

1 week ago Polished inbound tourism sector in China sparkles brightly again

Polished inbound tourism sector in China sparkles brightly again  chinadailyasia.com

Politics

1 week ago China’s robotics sector will need 5 years to reach its ‘EV moment’, MetaX investor says

China’s robotics industry may need at least five years before humanoid models reach a similar level of acceptance to electric vehicles, according to private equity firm Hermitage Capital, the latest voice warning of a potential bubble in the sector. The firm, which manages US$1.5 billion in assets, was an early investor in Chinese graphics processing unit designer MetaX Integrated Circuits, whose shares skyrocketed 700 per cent on their debut in Shanghai last month. In an interview with the...

Economics

1 week ago China’s robotics sector will need 5 years to reach its ‘EV moment’, says PE firm

China’s robotics sector will need 5 years to reach its ‘EV moment’, says PE firm  South China Morning Post

Politics

2 w. ago Hong Kong firm sanctioned by US in Venezuela crackdown found to use bogus address

A Hong Kong-based company sanctioned by the United States for alleged links to Venezuelan oil exports registered a fictitious address in the city, the Post has found, leaving a namesake eyewear firm anxious about repercussions. The Trump administration stepped up its pressure campaign against Venezuela’s oil exports earlier this week by sanctioning four companies based in Hong Kong and mainland China, accusing them of ties to the Venezuelan oil sector and evading restrictions. The US Department...

Politics

2 w. ago China’s biopharma sector ‘in prime position to challenge US leadership’

China’s biopharmaceutical sector is said to have entered an “innovation 2.0” phase as it moves to a commercialisation mindset that could see it sideline global competitors and outpace the US – despite restrictive trade policies. In recent years, innovative drug development in the world’s second-largest pharmaceutical market has rapidly approached – and in some cases surpassed – that of the United States, the world’s biggest market. Growing concerns over China’s biotech capabilities have led the...

Politics

2 w. ago No ‘piecemeal’ steps: Chinese journal urges more support for property sector

No ‘piecemeal’ steps: Chinese journal urges more support for property sector  South China Morning Post

Politics

2 w. ago China’s EV sector doubles down on discounts and cheap financing as growth cools

China’s EV sector doubles down on discounts and cheap financing as growth cools  South China Morning Post

Politics

2 w. ago China Lowers Battery Scrap Import Duty to Aid Recycling Sector

China Lowers Battery Scrap Import Duty to Aid Recycling Sector  Bloomberg.com

Politics

2 w. ago China’s service sector shines as holidaymakers embrace pet travel and bespoke adventures

More Chinese travellers are pivoting from mass-market sightseeing to bespoke adventures to ring in the new year, fuelling a surge in demand for pet-friendly itineraries and winter excursions as service consumption defies a broader economic gloom. “Tailored travel is gaining traction,” online travel platform Fliggy said in a December 23 statement, citing a shift towards immersive “experiences that go beyond sightseeing”, favouring more memorable moments and personalisation. In particular,...

Politics

2 w. ago China’s service sector shines as holidaymakers eye bespoke adventures with pets

China’s service sector shines as holidaymakers eye bespoke adventures with pets  South China Morning Post

Politics

2 w. ago Report: China's manufacturing sector reaches second global tier

Report: China's manufacturing sector reaches second global tier  news.cgtn.com

Politics

2 w. ago China’s Olive Oil Sector Alleviates Poverty but Struggles to Compete

China’s Olive Oil Sector Alleviates Poverty but Struggles to Compete  Olive Oil Times

Politics

2 w. ago China has logged a US$1 trillion trade surplus. Where is all that money going?

Recent data on China’s external accounts presents a conundrum: while the country’s trade surplus has broken records, surpassing the US$1 trillion benchmark in the first 11 months of the year, growth in its official foreign exchange reserves has lagged. This seeming paradox prompts a question – where did the money go? Analysts said the gap reflects how much of the surplus has flowed back overseas through asset investment, largely made by private-sector players, leaving China’s external accounts...

Economics