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Economic Indicators

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US-China trade war
US-ally trade wars
Hong Kong stock exchange
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China’s retail sales, a key gauge of consumer spending, grew by only 1.3 per cent in November, year on year, falling well short of consensus expectations. Photo: Getty Images
China consumption

China’s growth engines sputter as retail and investment hit in November

Retail sales grew just 1.3 per cent, with growth momentum slowing for six straight months, and January-November investment fell 2.6 per cent as the property slump persisted.

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China consumption

China’s consumer prices rise at fastest pace in nearly 2 years in November

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China trade

China’s trade surplus tops record US$1 trillion, defying trade war uncertainty

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Mainland China

Chinese consumer and tourism firms turn to shareholder perks to stimulate sales

Companies from Sichuan to Anhui offer discounts and free tickets to shareholders amid slowing consumption in mainland China.

Tourists visit Mount Emei in Sichuan province. Photo: Getty Images
Tourists visit Mount Emei in Sichuan province. Photo: Getty Images
China’s private sector

US lifts China sentiment, but tensions cloud outlook in Japan: report

Global confidence in China ticked higher in the third quarter, Morgan Stanley says, driven by US companies and policy support in Beijing.

China consumption

China delivers record 180 billion parcels in 11 months as shoppers chase deals

Express deliveries have reached as high as 777 million per day in 2025 as China’s consumers turn to cut-price online platforms.

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Banking & finance

Will Russia’s gold sale prompt a retreat? Hedge fund manager spurs debate

While a Chinese hedge fund manager has claimed gold’s ‘best days’ are over, analysts argue Moscow’s move does not reflect the overall picture.

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A reported sale of gold by Russia’s central bank has stoked debate over whether the precious metal’s price rally has come to an end. Photo: AFP
A reported sale of gold by Russia’s central bank has stoked debate over whether the precious metal’s price rally has come to an end. Photo: AFP
China manufacturing

China’s factory activity contracts in November for 8th month in a row

Manufacturing PMI comes in at 49.2 but survey official says business sentiment has improved.

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China manufacturing

Price wars and tariffs: China’s industrial profits snap winning streak

Beijing to crack down on ‘disorderly’ market practices amid rising financial costs, while analysts point to excess capacity eating into corporate margins.

China property

UBS’ China property optimist retreats from bullish calls, foresees deeper slump

Home prices in mainland China are expected to fall for at least another two years as more people prefer renting over buying, John Lam says.

Unfinished buildings in Beijing. Most global banks have dim outlooks for China’s real estate sector, which has been experiencing a renewed sales slump since the second quarter. Photo: EPA
China travel

As high-speed rail erodes airfares, China’s airlines are stuck in overcapacity

Flight loads have surpassed pre-pandemic levels on high-density routes, but China’s carriers are still struggling to balance their books.

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Passengers step off a C919 aircraft operated by China Southern Airlines at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province. Photo: Xinhua
Passengers step off a C919 aircraft operated by China Southern Airlines at Haikou Meilan International Airport in Haikou, south China’s Hainan Province. Photo: Xinhua
China jobs

China’s urban youth jobless rate falls slightly in tough market for graduates

Record numbers of young people still face intense competition securing employment, pushing more to pursue alternative paths.

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China’s private sector

China’s housing slide deepens as October prices fall at fastest pace in a year

New home prices drop 0.5 per cent across 70 cities despite easing measures amid slowing economy and job worries.

China consumption

China’s growth softens in October as property drags investment further down

Official data points to uneven recovery last month, but analysts do not expect major stimulus as annual growth target within reach.

Customers shop at a store in Beijing on October 19. Photo: Reuters
China trade

Where are the ‘choke points’ in global trade – and can they be overcome?

Global trade growth is set to slow by 0.6 per cent in 2026, Allianz Trade says, as tariffs cut deep and major routes get congested.

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A cargo ship sails into the port in Qingdao in China’s eastern Shandong province on November 3. Photo: AFP/China OUT
A cargo ship sails into the port in Qingdao in China’s eastern Shandong province on November 3. Photo: AFP/China OUT
China deflation

China’s consumer prices return to growth as deflationary pressures persist

CPI rises 0.2 per cent in October in a ‘surprise to the market’, while factory-gate prices fall for 37th month in a row.

China GDP

China names GDP benchmark for headline target: 4.17% annual growth through 2035

Official publication provides average growth rate to meet long-term goal, clarifying the next decade’s targets in pursuit of development goal.

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Insurance

Chinese listed companies’ earnings surge on capacity cut, tech self-sufficiency

The strong quarterly results are expected to boost a rally in Chinese stocks that has been fuelled by a shift of bank savings to risk assets.

The earnings of mainland China-listed companies jumped 11.6 per cent from a year ago, compared with a 1.2 per cent rise in the second quarter and 3.2 per cent growth in the January-March period, according to China Merchants Securities. Photo: Reuters
The earnings of mainland China-listed companies jumped 11.6 per cent from a year ago, compared with a 1.2 per cent rise in the second quarter and 3.2 per cent growth in the January-March period, according to China Merchants Securities. Photo: Reuters
China manufacturing

China’s factory activity contracts for seventh month amid trade war uncertainty

China’s official purchasing managers’ index fell to 49 in October, missing estimates and staying in contractionary range another month.

Banking & finance

Gold demand hit record high in third quarter and will remain strong, report says

Amid a recent pullback, World Gold Council said ‘strategic case to hold gold remains firmly in place’.

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China's economic recovery

China’s industrial profits surge, logging highest growth in nearly 2 years

Reported industrial profits rose 21.6 per cent year on year in September, pushing 2025 growth to 3.2 per cent.

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China’s industrial profits saw their highest increase in nearly two years in September. Photo: Future Publishing via Getty Images
China GDP

China’s top cities, inland provinces lead GDP growth as domestic demand rises

Official data shows country on track to achieve annual target – with Beijing, Shanghai and the likes of Hubei province leading the way.

A general view shows the Huangpu River and the financial district in Shanghai on April 9. Photo: AFP
A general view shows the Huangpu River and the financial district in Shanghai on April 9. Photo: AFP
China jobs

China’s youth jobless rate falls but remains high after record graduation season

Unemployment hits 17.7 per cent among those 16 to 24, down from 18.9 per cent in August, as graduates face competitive labour market.

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Commodities

Explainer | Gold slumps after record highs. Why is Ray Dalio such a big advocate for it?

Despite the billionaire investor’s long-time support for gold, some analysts warn that it is in a bubble.

Alibaba

Apple’s iPhone and beauty products lead the charge in record-breaking Singles’ Day

Sales on Taobao and Tmall have already surpassed last year’s levels, underscoring a tentative recovery in domestic consumption.

Beauty products remained one of the strongest categories, with eight brands each surpassing 100 million yuan in sales within the first 10 minutes. Photo: Shutterstock
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