Enterprise

Why Singapore’s retailers feel the squeeze from Chinese brands

Figures show that Chinese retailers account for 3% of the Singapore market, as compared to just about 90% local businesses. If so, then why is the sense on the ground so different, and why are Singapore retailers feeling squeezed? Lianhe Zaobao journalist Li Yaning explores the question.

Li Yaning

30 Jan 2026

[Big read] Humanoids at the door: Can we really trust robots in daily life?

From caregiving to cleaning, humanoid robots are advancing fast — but trust, safety and cost remain hurdles. Singapore leads adoption, yet widespread integration may be years away. Are we ready to let robots into our daily lives? Lianhe Zaobao associate business editor Tan Chee Yun speaks with industry insiders in Singapore to find out more.

Tan Chee Yun

24 Dec 2025

[Big read] AvePoint co-founder Jiang Tianyi’s tenacious spirit of self-reliance

As the son of Chinese intellects that were “sent-down” to the coal mines during the Cultural Revolution, AvePoint co-founder Jiang Tianyi knows the value of education. Lianhe Zaobao associate business editor Hu Yuanwen speaks with Jiang to learn more about how he went from being a humble paperboy to the co-founder of a cyber security company listed on NASDAQ and the Singapore Exchange. 

Hu Yuanwen

04 Dec 2025

How China’s all-in-one platforms are reshaping the AI battlefield

The super-integration capability of Chinese internet giants was never previously seen as a competitive advantage over their US counterparts, until the artificial intelligence era. With the widespread enterprise adoption of large AI models since 2024, this strength has taken the spotlight, says technology expert Yin Ruizhi.

Yin Ruizhi

27 Jun 2025

[Photo story] The many faces of Shanghai over a hundred years

Over a century, the city of Shanghai saw it all. Westerners fell in love with Republican Shanghai, where commerce and culture flourished; Japanese invaders advanced and retreated; communism and capitalism vied for a stage. Despite these ups and downs, Shanghai has maintained a demeanour and style unto itself. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao traces Shanghai's days of glamour and the front-row seat it had in war, revolution, and reform.

Hsu Chung-mao

28 May 2021

Post-pandemic 'Great Reset': Can the world pull it off with Big Tech and China in tow?

At last year's WEF, Prince Charles and other leaders proposed the "Great Reset" - a global effort to rebuild the global economic structure. However, as appealing as this may sound, Hong Kong commentator Chip Tsao points out that the current slate of world leaders and international organisations are probably unable to rein in private juggernauts and get a handle on the Chinese wild card.

Chip Tsao

29 Jan 2021

China's e-commerce 'big four' locked in cut-throat battle

Media commentator Cai Enze frowns on the beggar-thy-neighbour approach of improving one's business at a rival's expense. In his view, big names in China's internet market - Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent, and JD.com (known as BATJ) - should practise more openness and cooperation rather than rivalry and mutual blocks.

Cai Enze

02 Sep 2020

'Kiasu' Singapore, 'yao mianzi' China, and 'leela' India: How does culture influence innovation?

In a study conducted by academics from the NUS Business School surveying the China, India, and Singapore landscape, respondents often described the Chinese as disciplined and focused, Singaporeans as structured, fearing failure and sticking to the plan, and Indians as creative, flexible and frugal. While it is not the only or most pertinent factor, cultural traits matter when it comes to managing teams and maximising their potential to innovate.

Sylvia Hubner, Michael Frese

28 Jul 2020

How labour-intensive factories and packed dormitories achieve 'zero infections' in China

With the coronavirus affecting businesses and production industries worldwide, Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu finds out how companies and factories in China are ensuring that workers stay healthy and virus-free.

Yang Danxu

18 May 2020

Can Hubei bounce back after the pandemic, like Sichuan did after the earthquake?

China's Hubei province - most badly-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic - has pressed the reset button on its economy, becoming China's first province to implement an economic revitalisation package following the pandemic. Although policy details are not yet released, academics interviewed predict that Hubei will receive more financial subsidies than any other province or city, and industries like auto manufacturing and infrastructure will benefit from industry support policies. Hubei's revitalisation scheme will also give an idea of how the country's yet-to-be-released economic stimulus package will look like. While help is on the way for Hubei, due to the enormous economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, making a fast and effective recovery is going to be a tall order.

Chen Jing

08 May 2020

Misbehaving US-listed Chinese enterprises and their gambler attitudes

Chinese companies listed on US stock exchanges such as Luckin Coffee and iQiyi have been embroiled in accounting scandals of late, causing investors to eye Chinese concept stocks with doubt. What can Chinese companies with hopes of gaining access to foreign investment do to improve their bad reputations by association?

Zhang Rui

06 May 2020

US companies in China: No place that can take China's place

Despite a proposed White House executive order to reduce dependence on China for medical supplies, and a promise by US National Economic Council President Larry Kudlow that the US government will pay for US companies to return home, US companies in China are not biting. Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing speaks to some company leaders to find out why.

Chen Jing

21 Apr 2020