A short ban on ride-hailing services at Shanghai Pudong International Airport has heightened concerns regulatory overreach may stem private sector confidence. Photo: Bloomberg

China’s airport ride-hailing ban casts cloud over private sector comeback

A short ban on ride-hailing services at one of China’s busiest airports has generated concerns that other ‘sweeping’ regulatory moves could be in the pipeline, throttling consumer confidence and blunting economic growth.

3 hours ago

China has among the lowest retirement ages. Will population woes change that?

China’s population is expected to plunge by 20 million to 1.39 billion by 2035, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), after it suffered a second consecutive annual decline in 2023.

China’s population is expected to plunge by 20 million to 1.39 billion by 2035, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), after it suffered a second consecutive annual decline in 2023.

4 hours ago

Xi Jinping’s ‘financial superpower’ goal for China spurs scramble for resources

Some of China’s biggest provincial economies are looking to expand and diversify their financial resources this year, largely to fund economy-boosting construction projects, but analysts say this could run counter to Beijing’s de-risking campaign.

Some of China’s biggest provincial economies are looking to expand and diversify their financial resources this year, largely to fund economy-boosting construction projects, but analysts say this could run counter to Beijing’s de-risking campaign.

7 Feb 2024 - 12:00AM

Cash payments for households could ease China’s deflation woes, analysts say

Several economic researchers and observers have emphasised the need for measures to boost demand, particularly direct cash payments to households, but have lamented such action is unlikely to be taken at present.

Several economic researchers and observers have emphasised the need for measures to boost demand, particularly direct cash payments to households, but have lamented such action is unlikely to be taken at present.

6 Feb 2024 - 9:00PM

Global funds, Wall Street snub China for India in a historic markets shift

‘People are interested in India for several reasons, one is simply it’s not China,’ says Vikas Pershad, a money manager at M&G Investments in Singapore. ‘There’s a genuine long-term growth story here.’

‘People are interested in India for several reasons, one is simply it’s not China,’ says Vikas Pershad, a money manager at M&G Investments in Singapore. ‘There’s a genuine long-term growth story here.’

6 Feb 2024 - 4:32PM

MORE STORIES

China is likely to pursue mining and energy development through investment projects and construction contracts, according to the the Green Finance and Development Centre at Fudan University. Photo: Reuters

‘Clear need’ for China’s Belt and Road Initiative funding to go green in 2024

Green Finance and Development Centre at Fudan University identifies a ‘clear need’ for renewable energy investment to stoke growth and support a ‘green transition’ in China.

6 Feb 2024 - 10:00AM

Visa-free China travel may offer ‘additional stimulus’ Beijing is looking for

Foreign visitors to mainland China say they are more willing to visit and splash out hundreds of US dollars a day on flights, retail spending and dining if they can get in for free and avoid a lengthy application process.

Foreign visitors to mainland China say they are more willing to visit and splash out hundreds of US dollars a day on flights, retail spending and dining if they can get in for free and avoid a lengthy application process.

6 Feb 2024 - 6:00AM

Explainer | A renewed recovery? 4 takeaways from January’s manufacturing, services data

Analysts said the purchasing managers’ index (PMI) readings for January added to evidence that growth momentum in China is in the midst of a renewed recovery.

Analysts said the purchasing managers’ index (PMI) readings for January added to evidence that growth momentum in China is in the midst of a renewed recovery.

6 Feb 2024 - 12:28AM

‘All is not well’: China’s economic outlook slammed in Rhodium Group report

After China’s GDP growth surpassed expectations in 2023, the US-based research firm says Beijing needs to acknowledge that slower annual growth in the range of 3-4 per cent ‘is here to stay’.

After China’s GDP growth surpassed expectations in 2023, the US-based research firm says Beijing needs to acknowledge that slower annual growth in the range of 3-4 per cent ‘is here to stay’.

5 Feb 2024 - 11:21PM

‘A good start’: China tells regions to limit Lunar New Year’s drag on economy

To guarantee a ‘good start’ to the year and a jump on sustained economic recovery, a Chinese ministry has told leaders of major regions to keep up manufacturing in 2024 as the country prepares for the Lunar New Year holiday.

To guarantee a ‘good start’ to the year and a jump on sustained economic recovery, a Chinese ministry has told leaders of major regions to keep up manufacturing in 2024 as the country prepares for the Lunar New Year holiday.

5 Feb 2024 - 9:00PM

China property: Sunac, Country Garden projects added to ‘whitelists’

Sunac China Holdings, Shimao Group, CIFI Group and Country Garden Holdings are among property developers whose projects have been included in ‘whitelists’, a mechanism that qualifies their projects for financial support from banks.

Sunac China Holdings, Shimao Group, CIFI Group and Country Garden Holdings are among property developers whose projects have been included in ‘whitelists’, a mechanism that qualifies their projects for financial support from banks.

5 Feb 2024 - 4:16PM

China’s services activity expands at slower pace amid soft start to 2024

China’s Caixin/S&P Global services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) edged down to 52.7 in January from 52.9 in December, data released on Monday showed.

China’s Caixin/S&P Global services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) edged down to 52.7 in January from 52.9 in December, data released on Monday showed.

5 Feb 2024 - 9:59AM

Appotronics, BYD supplier of laser display tech, looks to boost production

A new facility focusing automotive optics business will begin production at the end of 2024, the Shenzhen-based company says.

A new facility focusing automotive optics business will begin production at the end of 2024, the Shenzhen-based company says.

5 Feb 2024 - 8:30AM

China focuses on farm output, seed research in renewed food security push

Renewed focus on self-sufficiency comes as US tensions, climate change and supply chain worries over Ukraine war weigh on global market outlook.

Renewed focus on self-sufficiency comes as US tensions, climate change and supply chain worries over Ukraine war weigh on global market outlook.

4 Feb 2024 - 9:00PM

Growing number of mainlanders would rent homes rather than buy in downturn: analysts

Sentiment has waned and some potential homebuyers would rather extend their leases instead of buying a home, China Index Academy analyst says.

Sentiment has waned and some potential homebuyers would rather extend their leases instead of buying a home, China Index Academy analyst says.

4 Feb 2024 - 11:45AM

Will China’s ‘Year of the Widow’ quell ‘dragon baby’ boom amid demographic woes?

Chinese are debating a superstitious belief that the coming lunar year will bode badly for marriages, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs is paying attention.

Chinese are debating a superstitious belief that the coming lunar year will bode badly for marriages, and the Ministry of Civil Affairs is paying attention.

4 Feb 2024 - 10:00AM

EV restrictions from US, EU could throw a wrench into China’s recovery plans

Recent comments from officials, as well as years of tension over trade, indicate regulatory action may be taken by the US to limit the potential of China’s electric vehicle industry – which could sour efforts to boost economic growth and export activity.

Recent comments from officials, as well as years of tension over trade, indicate regulatory action may be taken by the US to limit the potential of China’s electric vehicle industry – which could sour efforts to boost economic growth and export activity.

3 Feb 2024 - 8:00PM

China’s investment in Mexico is up – but is dodging US tariffs the whole story?

Mexico has been the beneficiary of more Chinese investment in recent years, and its preferential status with its northern neighbour has provided a way past US tariffs. But there are other benefits – and risks – analysts say.

Mexico has been the beneficiary of more Chinese investment in recent years, and its preferential status with its northern neighbour has provided a way past US tariffs. But there are other benefits – and risks – analysts say.

3 Feb 2024 - 7:16AM

China’s world-leading gold rush shows how other investments have lost shine

Gold’s rising role as a safe-haven investment in China has made it the world’s top buyer while traditional assets such as real estate and stocks are seen as more risky.

Gold’s rising role as a safe-haven investment in China has made it the world’s top buyer while traditional assets such as real estate and stocks are seen as more risky.

2 Feb 2024 - 11:00PM

China’s economy faces ‘high uncertainty’ in 2024, IMF predicts 4.6% growth

International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects China’s economy to grow by 4.6 per cent in 2024, the Washington-based institution said as it released a review of its Article IV consultation on Friday.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects China’s economy to grow by 4.6 per cent in 2024, the Washington-based institution said as it released a review of its Article IV consultation on Friday.

2 Feb 2024 - 5:45PM