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Economic Indicators

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US-China trade war
US-ally trade wars
Hong Kong stock exchange
China stock market
World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos
The logo for Fitch Ratings, one of the “big three” credit ratings agencies, in Canary Wharf, London. Photo: Shutterstock
China's economic recovery

Citic Securities breaks ceiling with first ‘A’ class rating for China brokerage

Award of an A-minus rating seen as a milestone in China’s efforts to build globally competitive investment banks.

Fifa World Cup 2026

Gold-laden World Cup trophy’s value surges 157% – how much is the bullion worth?

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China inflation

China’s factory price jump contrasts with muted consumer inflation

China inflation

China’s consumer prices see May uptick as oil shock inflates factory-gate costs

The mild increase in consumer inflation, attributed to higher AI demand and global price fluctuations, fell short of market expectations.

A man purchases groceries at a shop in Shanghai. Photo: EPA
A man purchases groceries at a shop in Shanghai. Photo: EPA
China trade

China’s export machine defies gravity as shipments soar in May

After a strong April, China’s exports surged once again in May, as the country’s firms continue to shrug off the impact of the Iran war.

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China consumption

China’s unexpected retail slowdown shows Hormuz strains

Retail sales growth slumped in April, industrial output cooled and fixed-asset investments tumbled as high oil prices hit China’s economy.

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China manufacturing

China’s economy ‘weaker than expected’ in April as Iran war headwinds bite

China’s retail sales growth fell to just 0.2 per cent in April, while industrial output and fixed-asset investment softened more than forecast.

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Workers at a Sany new energy heavy truck factory in Changsha, Hunan province, on May 12. A new truck rolls off the production line every six minutes. Photo: Xinhua
Workers at a Sany new energy heavy truck factory in Changsha, Hunan province, on May 12. A new truck rolls off the production line every six minutes. Photo: Xinhua
China's population

China’s marriage numbers plunge to Covid-era low as population woes deepen

Fewer than 1.7 million couples tied the knot in the first quarter, the lowest total for the same period since lockdown-dominated 2020.

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China inflation

China’s producer, consumer inflation up in April as Iran war pressures persist

Factory-gate prices increased 2.8 per cent last month and consumer prices were up 1.2 per cent, surpassing expectations as fuel costs rise.

China trade

China defies Strait of Hormuz crisis with record monthly export value in April

Export value rose 14.1 per cent year on year, well above market forecasts.

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A worker loads sulphur at a storage yard on a wharf in China’s Jiangsu province in April. Photo: AFP
China exports

How China’s reported sulphuric acid export ban could have global buyers reeling

Foreign firms fear more halts following reports of a ban on the export of the chemical, crucial for fertiliser and battery production.

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Illustration by Henry Wong
Illustration by Henry Wong
China energy security

Turning point? Clean energy met 100% of world’s new power needs in 2025: report

World has ‘firmly entered’ the clean growth era, with renewables overtaking coal as a power source for the first time last year, report finds.

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China GDP

China beats expectations with 5% growth in first GDP release since Iran war

‘Stronger than expected’ growth figure indicates minimal impact from the conflict and a low likelihood for near-term stimulus, analysts said.

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China GDP

Despite Iran war, China set for ‘solid’ first-quarter GDP growth: analysts

Flexible growth target means little likelihood of imminent stimulus, but focus will switch to impact of disruptions in second quarter.

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A woman selects fruit at a supermarket in Shanghai on Friday. Photo: EPA
China trade

China’s imports surge in March as exports soften amid Hormuz blockade

Export figures fall short of predictions, rising by 2.5 per cent, while imports grow by 27.8 per cent as conflict in Middle East causes global disruption.

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A container ship arrives at the Qingdao Port in Shandong province. The port opened seven new container shipping routes in the first quarter of this year. Photo: Xinhua
A container ship arrives at the Qingdao Port in Shandong province. The port opened seven new container shipping routes in the first quarter of this year. Photo: Xinhua
China inflation

China’s factory-gate prices rise for first time in 3 years as Iran war bites

The producer price index rose by 0.5 per cent in March, the first increase since 2022, as soaring global commodity prices affected Chinese firms.

China jobs

China’s youth unemployment falls for sixth consecutive month in February

But young job-hunters say they are still struggling to find work in a testing post-holiday labour market amid rising global economic uncertainty.

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China GDP

China’s economy starts 2026 strongly as retail sales, investment rise

Before the Iran energy crisis and latest round of China-US trade talks, retail spending grew 2.8 per cent while fixed-asset investment increased 1.8 per cent.

People shop at a duty-free shopping mall in Sanya, south China’s Hainan province, on December 18, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
People shop at a duty-free shopping mall in Sanya, south China’s Hainan province, on December 18, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
China exports

China’s exports surge 21.8% to start 2026 – biggest gain in 4 years

Despite an 11 per cent drop in US exports, China’s trade soared, buoyed by robust demand from Asean, the EU and other markets.

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China deflation

China’s inflation rises after holiday spending spree. Is 2% target reachable?

The consumer price index rose 0.8 per cent in the first two months of 2026, though analysts remain concerned about long-term deflation risks.

Two Sessions 2026

China works to build slow, steady stock markets, rejecting norm of boom and bust

Beijing is emphasising gradual growth in its policies for capital markets, encouraging dividend payouts and drawing a contrast with the West.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Two Sessions 2026

Hitting inflation target is key to China’s other economic goals, adviser says

Economist Zhang Bin says this year’s 2 per cent inflation target ‘corresponds to a state of relative equilibrium between supply and demand’.

A woman shops for vegetables at a store in Fuyang, Anhui province, last month. Photo: AFP
A woman shops for vegetables at a store in Fuyang, Anhui province, last month. Photo: AFP
Two Sessions 2026

China vows support for tech, trade rebalance, stock reforms - as it happened

The heads of China’s major economic institutions detailed plans for growth, trade and tech on the sidelines of the ‘two sessions’.

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Two Sessions 2026

China pledges ‘iron discipline’ to tackle debt as US borrowing surges

Global debt reached a record high in 2025 and rose in the world’s two largest economies.

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China travel

Why China’s travellers spent little, despite rise in Chinese New Year trips

The country logged a record 596 million domestic trips over the extended holiday, but consumers are still reluctant to loosen their purse strings.

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A lion dance troupe performs for tourists during the Chinese New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: EPA
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