TOPIC

China consumption

China consumption
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China consumption. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A woman sits on a swing attached to a giant McDonald’s logo in Beijing. Photo: Reuters
McDonald's

Not lovin’ it: Chinese fume at McDonald’s prices, costlier ‘poor man’s meal’

Fast-food giant increases menu items by 0.5 to 1 yuan, testing pricing power in a deflationary market where per-capita dining spending has been plunging.

videocam
12
China economy

Policy body urges China to confront economic challenges, confident of recovery

China economy

‘Invest in people’: how a new slogan signals a pivot in China’s economic policy

Mainland China

As China’s retail sales slow, new policy package aims to get consumers spending

Beijing asks financial institutions to help increase domestic demand by making it easier to access credit and shifting focus to services.

A woman shops in a supermarket in Beijing on December 8. Photo: EPA-EFE
China economy

China’s elusive domestic demand holds key to revival of faltering economy

Getting Chinese consumers to open their wallets after property-market losses is a tough task for leaders seeking to reheat the cooling economy – it may also be the only option.

Investing

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.

videocam
20
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
E-commerce

Reporter’s notebook: home test kit takes headache out of Beijing healthcare

Rapid test for flu and other respiratory ailments makes it easy to avoid long queues, showcases Chinese economy’s consumption potential.

People queue up in the outpatient area of a Beijing hospital’s respiratory disease department in January. Photo: AFP
Mainland China

‘A violation’? China’s airlines in the hot seat over hidden extra fees

Seat selection fees are becoming more common in China as airlines grapple with squeezed profit margins, but consumers are pushing back.

videocam
4
Commodities

Forging ahead: China’s copper heartland vows to build US$28 billion empire

Shandong province plans to create a world-class smelting hub by 2027 to secure supply chains for the strategic metal as prices sizzle.

China economy

China’s economy can probably ride out storms in 2026

Policymakers meeting in Beijing this week will probably see few reasons for new stimulus measures after China’s economy largely weathered the US trade war.

Photo: SOPA Images/LightRocket
China GDP

IMF raises China growth forecast to 5% for 2025, citing resilience

The assessment is up from October’s forecast, with the fund citing government stimulus and lower tariffs as drivers.

6
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks at a press conference during the 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and IMF in Washington, DC, the United States, on April 24. Photo: Xinhua
China's economic recovery

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

Consumer price index rises by 0.7 per cent for the month, while factory-gate prices continue long decline.

videocam
China's economic recovery

China warns internet platforms not to shift tax burden onto gig workers

Celebrities and high-profile influencers also under scrutiny, with regulators pursuing hundreds of such cases in recent years.

China trade

Chinese minister calls for more opening-up as key planning meeting looms

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao’s remarks echo similar calls by other senior officials ahead of annual central economic work conference.

videocam
Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has called for China to push ahead with opening-up policies over the next five years. Photo: Xinhua
Veganism and vegetarianism

Flash in the pan: how China’s plant-based meat craze fizzled

The closure of Beyond Meat’s China business, despite heavy financing and marketing, underscores challenges that scuppered many vegan meat firms.

videocam
5
Beyond Meat burger patties on sale in New York. Photo: Reuters
China GDP

China’s economic focus in 2026: what to expect as leaders prep for major meeting

Growth of ‘around 5 per cent’ may be revised to between 4.5 and 5 per cent, analysts say, as leadership gears up for tone-setting conference.

China exports

How Chinese lifestyle brands are finding fans abroad with toys, tea and trends

From milk tea to blind boxes, China’s lighter consumer brands are winning worldwide recognition – though time will tell if the craze will last.

videocam
6
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Banking & finance

China’s finance chief calls for fiscal firepower as Beijing weighs 2026 goals

This month’s central economic work conference will set the tone, while top finance official signals more assertive fiscal support.

Lan Foan, China’s finance minister, attends a new conference on the economy for the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress on March 6. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
Mainland China

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.

videocam
5
China inflation

Pursuit of hoppiness: how China’s cash-conscious drinkers embraced craft beers

As discerning alcohol consumers seek ‘wallet-friendly’ products, premium beers are winning out over higher-end options.

videocam
China travel

China turns to school ‘snow breaks’ to warm up winter tourism industry

Ahead of next year’s record-long Spring Festival, local governments roll out short holidays to lure families to winter getaways.

Tourists enjoy leisure time on a frozen lake at the Nanhu Park in Changchun, northeast China’s Jilin province, in January 2020. Photo: Xinhua
China economy

Opinion | How China could solve its consumption conundrum

Beijing’s priority should be bold short-term countercyclical action: issuing US$400 vouchers and stabilising the property sector.

videocam
4
People shop at a supermarket in Zaozhuang city, in Shandong province, on August 9. Photo: Xinhua
China's economic recovery

Explainer | What’s next for China’s economy in 2026 – and how it plans to tackle challenges

Top investment banks forecast moderate growth next year amid trade, property and structural challenges.

China-Japan relations

Why do Chinese no longer feel the need to boycott Japanese products?

A seismic shift in the market has resulted in people preferring Chinese fashion, locally branded appliances and domestically made cars.

videocam
12
China economy

China names ‘hotspot’ sectors in 19-point plan to spur consumption

Beijing identifies products for the elderly, fitness equipment and pet food, among others, as potential sources of consumption growth.

The consumer goods exhibition area at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai earlier this month. Photo: Xinhua
China-EU relations

After peaking, decline of China’s European wine imports worries makers

Chinese drinkers are spending less amid an economic slowdown, diluting the profits of Europe’s fine wine producers.

videocam
21
Illustration: Brian Wang
China's economic recovery

Why China’s film industry is banking on Zootopia 2 being a smash hit

After a tough few months, Chinese cinemas are hoping that a string of imported animated releases can offer some relief.

videocam
Wine and Spirits

China’s liquor capital faces long march to rebirth as ‘liquid gold’ glory wanes

In Maotai town, baijiu producers diversify offerings while expanding to markets such as Hong Kong and Southeast Asia amid a culture shift and economic challenges.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement