Economy

Why desperate local governments fund corporate fantasies

Driven by an insatiable hunger for economic performance, China’s local officials are plunging public funds into overhyped corporate ventures. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Lim Zhan Ting looks inside the desperate game of “fleecing the old geezers”, or beng laotou.

Lim Zhan Ting

17 Jun 2026

Has China hit the limits of chip self-reliance?

China is producing more chips than ever, but because its exports remain cheap compared to high-end imports, Beijing still depends heavily on foreign semiconductor technology. Economist Min-Hua Chiang shares her findings.

Min-Hua Chiang

16 Jun 2026

What SpaceX’s IPO means for China

While the SpaceX IPO may spur greater Chinese investment in AI-related high technology, it could also lead to side effects like speculative bubbles. Meanwhile, with national security politics overriding commercial pragmatism, China may increasingly be at a disadvantage. EAI senior research fellow Bo Chen analyses the situation.

Bo Chen

15 Jun 2026

How Japan’s FOIP is reinforcing ASEAN’s strategic autonomy

The concept of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) was first proposed in 2016 by then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and now it has been updated under the Sanae Takaichi administration. Japanese academic Sukegawa Seiya notes that the FOIP is a channel for promoting regional cooperation with ASEAN, while respecting its autonomy.

Sukegawa Seiya

12 Jun 2026

China’s gig economy nears half the workforce but worker protections lag behind

Over 44% of China’s workforce is now engaged in flexible employment. While closing the white-collar income gap, this massive shift exposes major gaps in workers’ rights and social security stability. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang analyses the data.

Li Kang

12 Jun 2026

Chinese carmakers push deeper into Europe despite rising EU trade barriers

EU tariffs have not stopped China’s auto advance. Carmakers are capitalising on the popularity of Chinese electric vehicles and deepening their European footprint through local production, partnerships and regulatory adaptation.

Caixin Global

12 Jun 2026

China is everywhere at the World Cup except on the field

Despite the ambitions of Chinese President Xi Jinping for China to be in the World Cup, China has only qualified for the finals once before, and will not feature in this year’s edition — except in supporting roles. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei notes that football is a grassroots activity and can only thrive if allowed to grow organically.

Sim Tze Wei

11 Jun 2026

[Video] China tightens rules on money, data and talent going overseas

China’s new outbound investment rules place tighter oversight on money, technology, data and talent going overseas, formalising a series of cross-border controls introduced this year. ThinkChina’s Lu Lingming discusses why some Chinese fear the country is closing itself off from the world and how the changes might impact society.

Lu Lingming

11 Jun 2026

China’s space rise is real — yet key gaps still keep the US ahead

Beijing is rapidly catching up to Washington in the global space economy, with China dominating key dual-use technologies. However, Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang finds out that China still lags behind in scale.

Li Kang

10 Jun 2026

Built to impress: Why China’s tourism boom leaves white elephants behind

China’s tourism boom has produced a wave of ambitious megaprojects across the country, but many have stalled or failed to attract visitors, leaving behind costly white elephants. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Liu Liu reports.

Liu Liu

10 Jun 2026

China’s housing market flashes signs of life in core cities

China’s property market shows signs of life with sharp luxury project rebounds in Shenzhen and Shanghai. Yet this fragile recovery remains highly uneven; mid-tier markets still languish while growth relies heavily on bargain hunters.

Caixin Global

05 Jun 2026

[Big read] ​After Xi-Trump summit, a jittery Taiwan takes stock

Soon after the US-China summit in Beijing, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te stressed that peace in the Taiwan Strait would not be sacrificed or traded away, and called for Taiwan to bolster its national strength and cooperate closely with Taiwan’s global democratic partners. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Miao Zong-Han speaks with academics and analyses the situation.

Miao Zong-Han

04 Jun 2026