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China Economy: Latest News and Analysis

Global Macro Playbook
China's Central Bank Steps Up Yuan Support After Fed Move

China's central bank has stepped in to support the yuan after the US Federal Reserve's latest interest rate decision sent the dollar soaring, reports Nikkei Asia. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) set the yuan's reference rate at 7.1911 per dollar

Global Macro Playbook
Trump Tariffs Could Cut China's Growth by More Than Half: Report

The potential impact of President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs on Chinese imports could be devastating for the Chinese economy, potentially pushing its growth rate below 2% by 2035, warns a new report from the Japan Center for Economic Research (JCER).

The report, released Wednesday, outlines two scenarios: a

SCMP
China’s childbirth conundrum sees costs keep people from getting on board for baby boom
World’s second-largest economy is facing unique demographic challenges unlike those seen anywhere in the world, Communist Party publication warns.
Global Macro Playbook
Chinese Property Developers Brace for Onshore Debt Restructuring in 2025

Chinese property developers are gearing up for a wave of onshore debt restructuring in 2025, marking a significant shift in their approach to tackling the sector's ongoing liquidity crisis, reports Reuters. While offshore debt restructuring efforts gained momentum in 2022, developers have repeatedly sought to extend maturities on

SCMP
China says executives of state firms will be judged on stock performance
China said top managers of central state-owned enterprises (SOEs) will be partly judged on their companies’ stock performances and must have plans to revive their shares in times of consecutive or ...
Global Macro Playbook
Resource-Rich Currencies Battered as China's Economic Slump Persists

The currencies of resource-rich nations like Brazil and Canada are weakening as China's prolonged economic downturn continues, exacerbated by uncertainty over Beijing's stimulus measures, reports Nikkei Asia.

These currencies have been declining against the US dollar since October. The Brazilian real hit a record low against

Reuters
China youth jobless rate falls for third straight month
Joblessness among the youth in Chinese cities eased for a third straight month in November after reaching its highest this year in August, official data showed on Wednesday.
SCMP
China’s food delivery platforms enforce breaks for riders clocking more gig economy hours
Meituan and Ele.me are using ‘fatigue management’ systems in several cities, halting orders after 12-hour days, as work climbs in slowing economy.
Newsweek
China Responds to EU Sanctions Over Ukraine War Support to Russia
The EU included Chinese firms in its latest round of sanctions, citing exports of dual-use goods, including components used to produce Russian drones.
SCMP
China must harness cutting-edge AI to transform its finance sector: former PBOC official
The call comes amid a Chinese government drive to revitalise the economy by cultivating “new quality productive forces”.
SCMP
CEO sentiment in China sours amid slowdown risks, survey finds
Local competition and geopolitical tensions add to short-term pressures, but views of CEOs were more positive when pointing to China’s long-term outlook.
SCMP
Record-breaking Chinese spacewalk, Xi Jinping in Macau: SCMP daily catch-up
From astronauts making the longest single spacewalk to the Chinese president landing in Macau, here’s a round-up from today’s China and economy coverage.
MarketWatch
China's monopoly on rare metals is one of its biggest 2025 trade-war weapons
China's recent decision to ban exports of certain rare metals with potential military applications to the U.S. sends a clear message that it stands ready to use these metals as a [weapon in trade ...
Reuters
China's steel sector is not as gloomy as it appears: Russell
China's steel output fell in November from October, seemingly another sign of the struggles in the world's biggest producer of the key metal for construction and manufacturing.
Global Macro Playbook
Record Outflows Hit China's Capital Markets in November

China experienced a record $45.7 billion outflow from its capital markets in November, marking the largest monthly deficit in cross-border portfolio investment, as reported by Reuters, citing official data released on Monday by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE).

The $45.7 billion outflow reflects a significant divergence

SCMP
25 years after returning to China, is diversification working for Macau?
Experts question how far Macau can go with economic reform as city marks 25th anniversary of return to Chinese administration.
Global Macro Playbook
China Plans Record Budget Deficit in 2025 to Counter US Tariff Threat

China will run a budget deficit of 4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, the highest on record, as the country prepares to counter the impact of potential tariffs from the United States, report two sources with knowledge of the matter to Reuters.

The new deficit target, which

SCMP
PLA electronic war ‘kill list’, how China can survive Trump threats: SCMP daily catch-up
From targets for an attack against US aircraft carrier strike groups to how Beijing can avoid Japan’s mistakes, here’s a round-up from today’s China and economy coverage.
SCMP
China building world’s biggest artificial-island airport in Dalian
Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport will cover an island that dwarfs the ones occupied by Hong Kong and Kansai airports.
SCMP
European luxury stocks find gold to end the year on China, US optimism
Shares of European luxury goods companies rebound after a bad year, as investors hope stimulus measures will spur consumption.
SCMP
Policy support sees China’s tax revenue rise for second straight month
China’s tax revenue rose for the second straight month in November on the back of supportive domestic policies, while local governments continued to struggle with shrinking land sales income amid a ...
SCMP
China’s ban on critical minerals to be felt across ‘all branches’ of US military
Analysis identifies more than 20,000 weapons parts that will be affected, including nuclear missiles, with naval systems most at risk.
SCMP
China visa-free transit, cancer scientist returns: SCMP daily catch-up
From 10 days of visa-free transit for travellers to a world-leading researcher’s move, here’s a round-up from today’s China and economy coverage.
Reuters
Critical metals will be a key battleground in US-China trade war: Andy Home
It's clear that critical minerals will be China's weapon of choice in its escalating trade war with the United States.
Reuters
Critical metals will be a key battleground in US-China trade war
It's clear that critical minerals will be China's weapon of choice in its escalating trade war with the United States.
SCMP
US-China working groups on economy, finance meet as future in doubt under Donald Trump
Dialogue set up last year as Biden and Xi sought to manage bilateral differences could fall off amid anticipated revival of trade war.
Global Macro Playbook
China Floods Economy with Stimulus as Trump Tariff Threats Loom

Chinese leaders have pledged to increase the budget deficit, issue more debt, and loosen monetary policy in an effort to maintain stable economic growth as the nation prepares for renewed trade tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump, reports Reuters.

The announcement came at the conclusion of the

Bloomberg
Trump Goes From Capricious to a China Patriot
From Trump the Capricious to Trump the Baby, the US president-elect has quite a few nicknames in China. The most interesting on social media is perhaps — using a direct translation — Trump the Nation ...
Global Macro Playbook
China Aims for 5% GDP Growth in 2023, Says Government Official

China's economy is projected to expand by approximately 5% in 2023, according to a statement made by Han Wenxiu, deputy director of the country's central financial and economic affairs commission, reports Reuters. This growth is anticipated to contribute nearly 30% to global economic expansion.

Speaking at

SCMP
Seasoned researcher says Trump’s ‘extremist’ protectionism will isolate US and cede the high ground on multilateralism to China
Seasoned researcher says Trump’s ‘extremist’ protectionism will isolate US and cede the high ground on multilateralism to China.
Global Macro Playbook
China's New Home Price Declines Slow to 17-Month Low Amid Stimulus Efforts

China's new home prices fell at their slowest pace in 17 months during November, according to official data released on Monday by the National Bureau of Statistics. This moderation in price declines comes as the government intensifies its efforts to stabilize the crisis-ridden property sector, reports Reuters.

New

Global Macro Playbook
China's Property Investment Slumps Further in First Eleven Months of 2024

China's property investment continued its downward spiral in the first eleven months of 2024, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Monday, reports Reuters.

Property investment during this period fell by 10.4% compared to the same period last year, representing a marginal

Global Macro Playbook
China's Home Price Declines Ease for Third Month, But Recovery Remains Fragile

China's property market is showing signs of stabilization, with new-home price declines easing for the third consecutive month in November, reports Bloomberg. However, experts warn that the recovery is still fragile and uneven across different regions.

National Bureau of Statistics figures released Monday revealed that new-home prices in

SCMP
China’s November consumption misses estimate, adds urgency to stimulus
Retail sales grew by just 3.0 per cent last month, while property investment also continued to drag, falling by 10.4 per cent in first 11 months.
SCMP
AI crackdown: China stamps out tech misuse to preserve national literature and ideology
Beijing seeks to balance AI use to boost the economy while combating deepfakes, digital misinformation and altering of public perception.
SCMP
China’s finance industry urged to better support tech innovation
Technological innovation in China still has “much room for improvement” and the country needs financial support to develop new ideas, according to a prominent economist. Tian Xuan, chairman of ...
SCMP
Xi Jinping pledges full support for Hong Kong’s John Lee to reform economy
Chinese President Xi Jinping has told Hong Kong’s leader that Beijing will continue to support him to seek reforms and new momentum for the city’s economic development.
SCMP
China aims to heal wounds of industrial ‘involution’ as officials vow to stem bloodletting
Beijing intends to rectify ‘neijuan-style’ competition that has caused overcapacity concerns and taken a toll on profits, especially in new-energy sector.
SCMP
China’s annual growth on track to hit target of around 5%, senior official suggests
China’s economic growth this year will be about 5 per cent, a high-level official said on Saturday, suggesting that the country is hitting its annual target. The world’s second largest economy is ...
SCMP
Xi Jinping to visit Macau for 25th anniversary of handover as Sands China unveils non-gaming strategy
As Macau marks the 25th anniversary of its handover, the city’s casino operators are responding to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s call to invest in tourism and leisure to diversify the ...
SCMP
Wide-ranging measures aim to inject momentum into growth of the domestic economy and reflect tone of earlier Politburo meeting
Wide-ranging measures aim to inject momentum into growth of the domestic economy and reflect tone of earlier Politburo meeting.
CNBC
Switzerland likely to shift focus from Europe, China to the U.S. on exports, economist says
Samy Chaar, chief economist and chief international officer at Lombard Odier, says influences that impact economic conditions in Switzerland remain external.
SCMP
Bold and bountiful: China’s newest investment buzzword encourages risky capital plays
Concept of ‘bold capital’ has emerged amid national efforts to improve policy environment for investors that both encourages and forgives their attempts.
SCMP
China gives vocational training a hi-tech overhaul to upskill workforce
China is overhauling its vocational education courses to expand the pool of hi-tech workers for strategic sectors. The Ministry of Education unveiled 40 new vocational majors on Thursday – more than ...
SCMP
Hong Kong stocks advance as investors await details from China economic meeting
Hong Kong stocks rose as investors awaited details from a key Chinese policy meeting that could reveal what measures Beijing might use next year to support its economy, while US inflation data ...
SCMP
China ups the ante on humanoid robotic innovation, applications to boost economy
Hangzhou, Chongqing and Nanjing, plus a part of the southwestern Sichuan province, release robotics policies to accelerate innovation.