Business

Since the pandemic has subsided, local Chinese governments have been sending trade delegations out in full force to attract investments in a bid to revive the economy. However, this strategy is now deemed as flawed and short-sighted, as the local governments are not seeing the gains they are hoping for. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Liu Yang looks into how going all-out to attract investments is doing more harm than good.

Although Chinese fast fashion platforms such as Shein and Temu are gaining pace in the US, they could be the target of stringent US regulations over a variety of concerns such as personal data risks and trade loopholes.

Chinese platform firms that have expanded beyond the Chinese market to the US and West have had to adjust their business models, first to gain a sizeable market share, and now to handle the criticisms and pitfalls that come with a measure of success. How can Chinese e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu survive and thrive in overseas markets?

Chinese President Xi Jinping convening an in-person summit with Central Asian country leaders in Xi'an, Shaanxi province this week is a timely reminder that trade continues to bind regions of the world, as new Silk Roads form out of the merging and melding of ancient and new routes in China’s BRI. US academic Chen Xiangming examines the issue.

Chinese businesses are flocking to Saudi Arabia, in what they see as the latter's "reform and opening up" period of opportunities. While bilateral trade and investment has increased, the Chinese also see Saudi Arabia as a gateway for the Middle East market, in emerging fields such as cloud services and artificial intelligence, and as a vibrant venture capitalist hub.

A recent raid by Chinese authorities on a Chinese consultancy firm relating to national security sends a signal to the entire industry to be more aware of national security issues, and to take necessary measures to prevent possible espionage. But could the revised anti-espionage law and focus on national security issues become a convenient excuse for serving Beijing’s needs, such as its diplomatic needs and so on?

China’s exports grew by 14.8% in US dollar terms in March from the year before, ending five straight months of decline. But a spike in exports may be a false hurrah for China’s economic economy, given the mixed signals from different data indicators. Levels of consumption and inward investment are important as well, and the improvement of these factors will need to take into account the impact of US-China tensions on foreign enterprises in China.

Chinese netizens were riled into a nationalistic frenzy when free ice-cream was allegedly given to a foreigner but not a Chinese person at the Shanghai Auto Show. How could such a small incident ruffle so many feathers? Commentator Jin Jian Guo explains.

While talk of supply chain fragmentation and "friendshoring" has picked up pace amid heightened US-China tensions, Jasper Verschuur points out that the speed and breadth with which supply chain fragmentation might occur, particularly in Asia, is constrained by the ability of the maritime and port system to adapt. In that respect, China’s dominance is hard to weaken.