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A coil of copper is moved at an electrical materials factory in Dongyang, Zhejiang province, on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Economic Indicators

Developing | China records 5% GDP growth in first quarter, on track for annual target

In a change from previous years, Beijing has made the annual economic growth target for 2026 a range from 4.5 per cent to 5 per cent.

2 hours ago

Record-setting Canton Fair under Middle East cloud as costs hit China’s exports

2 hours ago

‘No alternative’: Yellen defends dollar dominance, calls to preserve China trade

15 Apr 2026 - 11:17PMvideocam

Global Economy

US officials claim China is ‘hoarding’ oil. What does the data say?

While US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China is stockpiling crude amid the Iran war, the numbers suggest Beijing is facing a supply crunch.

16 Apr 2026 - 12:10AMvideocam

A woman walks past a giant billboard reading “The Strait of Hormuz remains closed” at Revolution Square in Tehran, Iran. Photo: TNS

Economic Indicators

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.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

China Economy

Chinese steelmakers team up to adjust to EU’s carbon-linked import imposts

Industry insiders say carbon costs are expected to cascade through supply chains, adding to compliance costs for Chinese exporters.

15 Apr 2026 - 6:30PM

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China Economy

China publicly criticises fiscal spending by ‘imprudent’ local governments

Amid belt-tightening drive, spotlight falls on projects deemed not in the public interest, including millions of yuan spent on promotional songs.

15 Apr 2026 - 4:00PM

People descend a mountain with luggage as they move to new homes designed to alleviate poverty in Zhaojue county, Sichuan province, in May 2020. Photo: Xinhua

Global Economy

Hormuz blockade: shipping body slams transit fees as 20,000 seafarers stranded

A ‘retrograde’ toll proposal by Tehran risks similar charges in other vital waterways, warns global association for merchant shipowners and operators.

15 Apr 2026 - 11:00AMvideocam

Global Economy

Which countries are most vulnerable as US imposes Persian Gulf blockade?

Nomura says more than 90 per cent of the crude oil imported by Japan and the Philippines comes from the Middle East.

15 Apr 2026 - 8:00AM

Global Economy

IMF cuts China’s GDP growth forecast to 4.4% as Iran war hits global economy

The latest projection is 0.1 percentage lower than January’s estimate but higher than October’s.

14 Apr 2026 - 9:00PM

The IMF headquarters during the first day of the 2026 Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group in Washington on April 13. Photo: Kent Nishimura

China Economy

Kazakh sovereign fund issues Central Asia’s first panda bond in ‘milestone’ sale

Samruk-Kazyna chairman says issuance marks ‘an important milestone in strengthening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and China’.

14 Apr 2026 - 6:00PM

By the middle of last month, 78 billion yuan of panda bonds had been issued this year. Photo: Shutterstock

China Economy

China’s exports slow as Iran war impact begins to bite

Disruptions from conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz contributed to a worse-than-expected slowdown in Chinese exports and a jump in imports.

14 Apr 2026 - 5:04PM

Global Economy

China turns to central Asia as US blockade in Hormuz chokes global energy flows

Chinese vice-premier to visit major gas field in Turkmenistan as Beijing aims to shore up energy security and diversify away from volatile maritime routes.

14 Apr 2026 - 4:30PM

Global Economy

China’s March trade

Exports from China slowed while imports surged in the first full month of trade data following the outbreak of the US war against Iran on February 28.

14 Apr 2026 - 3:34PM

Photo: AFP

Economic Indicators

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.

14 Apr 2026 - 7:08PM

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

Global Economy

Lack of fuel reserves forces Southeast Asian flight cuts amid Hormuz crisis

Airlines are cutting flights, as dependence on Middle Eastern fuel hits operators from Pakistan to New Zealand.

14 Apr 2026 - 12:10PMvideocam

Global Economy

Brussels must resist ‘passive’ role in US-China trade war, EU chamber urges

European companies keep becoming ‘collateral damage’ in others’ disputes, laments president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

14 Apr 2026 - 9:30AM

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Global Economy

Why America’s brute-force effort on rare earths may not work against China

China spent decades carving out a commanding lead in the rare earth realm. Now the US wants its old piece of the supply chain back – is it still within reach?

6 Aug 2025 - 10:14AMvideocam

Illustration: Henry Wong

Global Economy

Chinese ‘vertical dramas’ are booming in America. Should Hollywood be worried?

Chinese platforms hosting bite-size soap operas about werewolves and mafia dons are drawing big audiences – and shaking up the streaming market.

17 Aug 2025 - 7:51AM

China Economy

As megacities slow, China’s smaller counties lead as new consumer hotspots

Survey last year found that nearly 80 per cent of consumers in China’s third- and fourth-tier cities were optimistic about the economy.

15 Aug 2025 - 8:41AMvideocam

China Economy

China rises up ‘elite quality’ league table as AI investment booms

China ranked 19th in the latest Elite Quality Index, which assesses whether national elites create sustainable value for their countries.

15 Aug 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

Visitors watch humanoid robots fight at the Unitree Robotics booth during the World Robot Conference in Beijing. China has invested heavily in artificial intelligence, robotics and other emerging sectors in recent years. Photo: Reuters

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Small hobby businesses hit by rising costs from Iran war

Thai figurine studio founder calls for an urgent lifeline to help small businesses stay afloat

Iran war sparks fuel crises in parts of Asia

Clients queue at a gas station amid rising petrol prices in Karachi on March 7, 2026. (Photo by Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP)

German leader greeted by robot dance troupe in China

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Chinese tourists have a new favourite country this Lunar New Year

South Korea now tops the list of Lunar New Year destinations for Chinese travellers amid heightened tensions between China and the former top destination, Japan.

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TRENDING TOPICS

China manufacturing

China's economic recovery

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