Wealth
Economy
How caviar became China’s most unexpected success story
China’s culinary tradition prized technique over luxury ingredients. Now, rising affluence and innovation are changing that — turning caviar and other premium foods into symbols of status and engines of growth. Economist Li Jingkui looks at how high-end ingredients can play a part in boosting the economy.
Li Jingkui
29 Apr 2026
Society
Fujian merchants: Fearless for gain, faithful for clan [Eye on Fujian series]
Fujian merchants have long been known for their adventurous mercantile spirit, leading to many success stories in business over the course of history and today. Academic Lin Feng takes a look at how this all began and how their distinct characteristics have shaped what we see of Fujian communities today.
Lin Feng
23 Mar 2026
Economy
How Hong Kong became a global wealth magnet
Hong Kong has emerged as a powerhouse for global wealth, fuelled by the mainland connection, booming IPOs and a thriving digital asset market. This growth looks set to continue, in light of Asia’s growing wealth and factors in the geopolitical environment.
Caixin Global
30 Jan 2026
Society
[Video] Why young Chinese are losing faith in the pension system
China’s social security system covers more than a billion people, yet many young workers hesitate to pay in. Wide payout gaps, ageing pressures and low wages are eroding trust in pensions meant to secure their future. ThinkChina’s Yi Jina finds out more.
Yi Jina
16 Jan 2026
Society
[Vox pop] Can young people in China afford a home today?
In China, the price-to-income ratio has long been among the highest in the world, with home prices in some major cities reaching levels that would take over 30 years of income to match. And now, after four years of declining prices triggered by the country’s real estate crisis, ThinkChina’s Lu Lingming and Yi Jina speak with some Chinese to hear how they view the housing market today.
Lu Lingming, Yi Jina
28 Nov 2025
Economy
How scammers are tarnishing Singapore’s incorruptible image
Singapore’s spotless reputation as a disciplined financial hub faces a reckoning as luxury property, philanthropy, and family offices become tools for global scam syndicates — testing how incorruptible the city-state truly is, says former journalist Goh Choon Kang.
Goh Choon Kang
11 Nov 2025
Society
From Qin Shi Huang to Putin: The dangerous dream of immortality
Throughout history, emperors and dictators have sought immortality. It is no different today as the powerful and wealthy continue to search for ways to live longer, albeit with modern science. Academic Zhang Tiankan says that despite the extreme lengths these people go through, turning back time is just a pipe dream.
Zhang Tiankan
19 Sep 2025
Society
China wants everyone to pay into the pension system — not everyone will
China’s pension mandates face scepticism, as employers and workers frequently bypass the regulations, undermining their intended effect. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong explores the issue.
Han Yong Hong
28 Aug 2025
Economy
Why China’s banks are hunting for fortunes stashed abroad
In the past, Chinese banks and other financial institutions would write off the debts owed by failed companies and their wealthy founders who absconded overseas. Now, many financial institutions, faced with growing mountains of bad debt, are fighting to recover as much as they can, even if that means embarking on an international hunt for hidden assets.
Caixin Global
08 Aug 2025
Economy
The great wealth migration: Why the ultra-rich are fleeing Britain
Starting on 6 April 2025, the UK will abolish its Non-Domiciled Individuals (non-dom) tax status, a regime that has allowed the super-rich to avoid paying tax on overseas income for up to 15 years. For the ultra-wealthy, the message is clear: the party is over.
Caixin Global
21 Mar 2025
Economy
Hong Kong vs Singapore: The battle for Asia’s wealth
Hong Kong aims to be the world’s top cross-border wealth hub, rivalling Switzerland. Despite slowed 2023 growth and competition from Singapore, with some wealth returning to Hong Kong due to Singapore’s limitations, optimism persists. Mainland businesses still favour Hong Kong for offshore setups, and emerging markets offer new growth potential. Can Hong Kong achieve its ambitious goal?
Caixin Global
03 Jan 2025