Economy

An employee works on a production line for solar panels at a factory of GCL System Integration Technology in Hefei, in China's Anhui province, on May 16. (China Daily via Reuters)
Economy

China factory activity contracts in May, breaking short growth spurt

Reading misses forecast as analysts warn of economic imbalances

31 May 2024
Australian beef producers are hopeful for an increase in exports to China now that restrictions have been eased. (Photo by Rurika Imahashi)
Trade

Australia's beef producers eye expansion in China as more bans lifted

Country's $7.6bn beef export sector 'parties' as impediments to major market fall

30 May 2024
High interest rates and efforts by Chinese policymakers to stimulate the economy pose an ongoing challenge to the yuan's value.
Currencies

Chinese yuan falls to six-month low on dollar strength

Gradual weakening highlights U.S., China monetary policy divergence

29 May 2024
The International Monetary Fund expects China's economy will grow 5% for 2024 and 4.5% for 2025, but slow to 3.3% by 2029.
Economy

IMF lifts China growth outlook but warns on property and trade troubles

Fund sees economy hitting 'around 5%' target in 2024 before slowing in coming years

29 May 2024
China's huge stock of unsold housing has led to a steep drop in land-usage sales to developers by local governments.
China debt crunch

China's 'hidden' defaults reflect weak local government finances

State homebuying program aims to revive land sales to cover off-the-books debt

29 May 2024
Shenzhen malls are bustling with shoppers from Hong Kong and elsewhere. (Photo by Itsuro Fujino)
Economy

In reversal, Hong Kong shoppers flock to Shenzhen to bargain hunt

Retailers in territory struggle with northbound shift driven by strong currency

28 May 2024
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a meeting with business leaders also attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, far right, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, second from right, at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul on May 27.
Economy

South Korean, Japanese and Chinese executives plan digital cooperation

Business leaders participate in gathering linked to countries' trilateral summit

27 May 2024
From left: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Chinese Premier Li Qiang were all smiles at a trilateral summit in Seoul on May 27. (Photo courtesy of Japanese Cabinet Office)
International relations

China, Japan and South Korea vow to seek progress on FTA

East Asian powers aim to 'institutionalize' summit meetings after long hiatus

27 May 2024
China's former central bank chief Zhou Xiaochuan speaks to Nikkei Asia in Tokyo, on May 23. (Photo by Yumi Kotani)
27 May 2024
South Korea, Japan and China announced in November 2012 that they would begin the negotiations. But progress has stalled since the 16th round was held in November 2019. (Source photos by Nikkei)
Trade

China, Japan and South Korea to revive FTA talks

Sources say Beijing is prepared to discuss the overproduction and subsidy issues

27 May 2024
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right) speaks to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol during a bilateral meeting in Seoul on May 26. China, South Korea and Japan will hold a trilateral summit in the South Korean capital on Monday.
International relations

Japan, South Korea leaders tout growing 'trust' before summit with China

East Asian countries gather in Seoul for first three-way talks since 2019

26 May 2024
Geely's EV brand Zeekr performed well in the first quarter of 2024. (Photo by Tomoko Wakasugi)
Automobiles

Geely cracks top 10 in Q1 global auto sales in China carmaker first

EV exports helped drive 27% growth during holiday-affected quarter at home

26 May 2024
Economic growth in Japan and South Korea has been lackluster, while China's economy has lost momentum compared with the early 2000s. (Source photos from Nikkei)
International relations

Economic woes push Japan, China, South Korea to restart 3-way summit

Amid Beijing's military buildup, Kishida and Yoon seen calling for restraint

26 May 2024
From left, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang. (Source photos by Uichiro Kasai and Reuters)
International relations

China, Japan and South Korea to navigate tensions at Seoul summit

First gathering in years aims to restore trilateral diplomacy as challenges mount

25 May 2024
Billionaire investor Ray Dalio sees the U.S. on the brink of a "great disruption" stemming from excessive debt creation and challenges to the world order. (Photo by Emily Hey)
Interview

Ray Dalio sees U.S. on 'brink of great disruption' as election looms

Bridgewater founder warns of geopolitical risk from economic warfare with China

25 May 2024
Pedestrians walk in Beijing's Central Business District. Foreign direct investment in China continues to decline.
Economy

China foreign investment inflow sinks to lowest since November

Enticements yet to pay off with year-to-date figure down 27.9% from 2023

24 May 2024
A Chinese-backed power plant under construction in Pakistan's southern Sindh province in 2018.
International relations

Pakistan scrambles for relief on $15bn energy debt owed to China

UAE surprises with $10 bn investment in promising sectors of economy

24 May 2024
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen holds a news conference in Stresa, Italy, on May 23 ahead of the meeting of Group of Seven finance ministers and central bank governors.
Trade

Yellen cites China overproduction as G7 ministers meeting opens

Italy finance ministers gathering to grapple with fragmentation of global trade

24 May 2024
A Tesla factory in Shanghai. China is a major market and production hub for the U.S. EV maker.
Supply Chain

Tesla pushes suppliers to produce parts outside of China and Taiwan

Move comes amid rising geopolitical tensions and competition from Chinese rivals

23 May 2024
The protracted slump in China's property sector is depressing profits in chemicals, steel and other industries.
Companies

Global corporate profits fall as China slump casts shadow

Country's economic slowdown ripples across borders and industries

23 May 2024
Shanghai's financial district. China has launched a range of special long-term bonds to help the shaky economy find firmer footing.
Bonds

China's special long-term bonds rise in exchange debut

Investors flock to relative safety amid property crunch

22 May 2024
EV maker BYD has added 470,000 workers since the end of 2019. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
Electric cars in China

China's EV industry, led by BYD, drives job growth

Private companies account for 80% of new employment since 2019

22 May 2024
Chinese migrants' encounters with U.S. border authorities were 10 times higher in 2023 than in pre-pandemic years. The economic slowdown back home coupled with human rights concerns is prompting many to seek new lives in America.
The Big Story

Why so many middle-class Chinese migrants take risky, illegal route to U.S.

Economic malaise, debt and despair push families to trek through jungle to Mexico border

22 May 2024
Masato Kanda, Japan's vice finance minister for international affairs, spoke with Nikkei. (Photo by Tokuyuki Matsubuchi)
Interview

Japan top currency diplomat calls for stepping up structural reforms

Kanda sees G7 officials discussing Chinese overcapacity this week amid U.S. tariffs

22 May 2024
POM copolymer belongs to a group of durable and heat-resistant materials known as engineering plastics. Chinese President Xi Jinping's government is thought to be protecting domestic production for economic security. (Source photos by Reuters)
Trade war

China plastics probe hits EU, U.S., Japan, Taiwan: 5 things to know

Target material used in cars and more; timing on eve of Lai inauguration raises eyebrows

21 May 2024