Economy

Customers and stallholders at a flea market in Beijing, China. An adviser to the country's central government has called for support for migrant workers and the direct distribution of money to households in order to boost consumption.
Economy

China's top economist calls for higher inflation to spur growth

PBOC adviser proposes CPI growth of 2-3% as 'rigid' policy target

2 August 2024
In July, BYD opened its first Southeast Asian EV assembly plant in Rayong, Thailand. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
2 August 2024
Supporters of the Balochistan Yakjehti Committee listen to their leader speak during the Baloch National Gathering in Gwadar on the southwestern coast of Pakistan on July 28.
Politics

Protests disrupt Pakistan's Gwadar, home of Chinese-controlled port

Turmoil led by group demanding recovery of victims of enforced disappearances

1 August 2024
GDP for the ASEAN six is expected to increase by an average of 5.1% annually until 2034, outpacing China's projected growth of 3.5% to 4.5%. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and Reuters)
Economy

Southeast Asia to outpace China's GDP growth and foreign investment: report

Think tank projects 5.1% average growth next decade in six key economies

1 August 2024
President Xi Jinping must know property-related tax reform is needed, but party cadres with vested interests stand in his way. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Yusuke Hinata)
China up close

Analysis: 'Chinese dream' gives way to an urban legend in Shenzhen

Real estate heartache leads to a tale of couples feigning divorce to get a loan

1 August 2024
A thermometer shows a temperature of 44C in Athens, Greece, on July 18.
Opinion

World should take note of a new trade and climate change deal

ACCTS agreement between 4 small nations is a practical model for all economies

31 July 2024
A steel mill in Hubei province. China's manufacturing activity declined for the third straight month in July as orders shrank.
Economy

China's factory activity shrinks for third month amid tepid demand

Stimulus measures have so far failed to revive business confidence

31 July 2024
While Southeast Asian retailers and manufacturers are seeking relief from what they see as unfair competition, government officials are trying to persuade Chinese companies to invest in local production, especially in high-tech sectors. (Illustration by Daniel Garcia)
The Big Story

Southeast Asia pushes back on cheap Chinese imports

E-commerce and EVs force balancing between tariffs and pursuit of high-tech investments

31 July 2024
A shopping complex in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China. The country's top leadership is calling for a boost in domestic demand, while keeping an eye on risk in sectors such as property.
Economy

China's Politburo calls for consumption boost to drive 2024 growth

Top leadership acknowledges 'many' risks, calls for acceleration of fiscal policies

30 July 2024
With China's domestic demand stagnant due to a prolonged real estate slump, foreign companies see diminished benefits to expanding into the country.
Business trends

China M&A deals down 45% in first half as economic slump continues

Tighter regulations at home and abroad make acquisitions harder to complete

30 July 2024
China's recent gold boom is highlighted by the popularity of 1-gram gold beans. (Photo by Tomoya Takayama)
Commodities

China's Gen Z gold buyers treat themselves to little bits of bling

Younger generation helps drive rise in Chinese buying of precious metal

28 July 2024
A car seat assembly line at a factory in Shanghai. China posted a 3.6% year-on-year rise in industrial profits for June.
Economy

China's industrial profits rise faster despite faltering economy

Data shows 3.6% jump for June after 0.7% uptick in May

27 July 2024
Battery manufacturer CATL shows off its technology at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, also known as Auto China 2024, in April.
Electric vehicles

CATL state subsidies jump by 35% amid EU squeeze on China EVs

Rise in aid outpaces net profit growth; company sues domestic rival for IP infringement

27 July 2024
A Chinese bullet train maintenance station in Xi'an. State-owned enterprises will invest 3 trillion yuan ($413.8 billion) on equipment upgrades over the next five years.
Economy

Chinese state enterprises to pour $414bn into equipment upgrades

Beijing backs investment and consumer trade-ins after plenum; appliance shares jump

26 July 2024
Electricity theft and distribution problems caused by line losses have left Pakistan's government short of revenue.
International relations

Pakistan under pressure to renegotiate hefty Chinese power deals

Beijing unlikely to concede to Islamabad's request, experts say

26 July 2024
Gold has traditionally been seen as a safe haven in times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Commodities

China's central bank has been a big buyer of gold. Will it continue?

PBOC accounted for 5% of global demand for precious metal in 2023

26 July 2024
China will double subsidies for those trading in cars for electric vehicles and other new energy vehicles. (Photo by Shizuka Tanabe)
Economy

China injects $41bn to subsidize car, appliance purchases

Beijing looks to stimulate domestic spending amid overcapacity criticism

25 July 2024
The Central Business District in Beijing. China's central bank has lowered the rate at which it lends to financial institutions.
Economy

China surprises with one-year policy interest rate cut

Unscheduled MLF adjustment adds to flurry of moves to prop up economy

25 July 2024
Joseph Wu, Taiwan's previous foreign minister, left, and Filip Grzegorzewski, head of the European Union office in Taipei, commemorate 20 years of ties between the EU and Taiwan in Taipei in June 2023.
Opinion

Europe must prepare militarily and economically for a Taiwan war

Once merely aware of the risks, European leaders now have deep concerns

25 July 2024
Xi Jinping might have just given himself an ace in the hole in his high-stakes game of politics to extend his reign beyond 2027. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by AP and Getty Images)
China up close

Analysis: China's new 2029 reform goal shows Xi Jinping is worried

New target might also be a gambit to help a decoupled China emerge strong

25 July 2024
A construction site in Beijing. The Chinese government is seeking to jump-start economic growth.
Economy

China's desire for growth revealed in word count of economic road map

Mentions of 'development' surge compared with 2013 document

24 July 2024
The third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China's Central Committee was held from July 15 to 18 in Beijing.
Opinion

China misses plenum chance to steady economy before U.S. election

Beijing risks losing grip as property market woes, consumer slump threaten stability

23 July 2024
This SRT train in Bangkok's Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station prepares to depart for Vientiane on the newly opened line on July 19. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Transportation

Thailand's new rail links carry hope for expanded Chinese trade

Laos-China railway become a key gateway for Thai and Malaysian exports

23 July 2024
Clothing shop in Beijing: Some economists have called on the Chinese government to spur domestic spending to absorb present industrial overcapacity.  
Economy

Five takeaways from China plenum's economic blueprint

Long-term guideline calls for resilience but without household demand boost

22 July 2024
The People's Bank of China building in Beijing. The central bank is deploying monetary policy tools to drive growth and shore up faith in the economy.
Economy

China cuts key lending rate to revive flagging economy

One- and five-year prime rates reduced days after anticlimactic third plenum

22 July 2024