With another record year for the number of graduates in China, Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Wong Siew Fong notes that the employment situation appears bleaker than ever. Those seeking to join the civil service are facing even tougher competition as government agencies cut down on hiring, while the private sector may not be the most attractive option for them.
Government intervention
Society
Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing notes that even though the number of marriages in China rebounded last year, couples could be making up for avoiding getting married this year for various reasons. Will the marriage rate fall back down this year, despite calls from the authorities encouraging young people to get married and have families?
Economy
Despite China waiving visa requirements for citizens from over a dozen more countries and making local digital payment services more international-user friendly, flights and the flow of visitors from countries such as the US are still nowhere near 2019 levels.
Economy
China looks set to drive its economy by focusing on boosting production, industrial upgrade and promoting “new quality productive forces”. However, there are concerns that a move in this direction could lead to overproduction, impacting global markets. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu looks into the matter.
Economy
Lianhe Zaobao journalist Liu Sha takes a closer look at the Chinese authorities’ frequent meetings with leaders from multinational companies, in particular those from the manufacturing and biopharmaceutical sectors, following the 20th Party Congress. What do these meetings signal, and will they work in terms of stabilising foreign investor confidence?
Society
Even as ultra-short dramas are all the rage in China right now, Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Daryl Lim takes a closer look at whether this currently popular trend will last, or fade away as quickly as it rose.
Economy
Given the current challenges to China’s economy, such as the soft property market and weak domestic demand, how achievable is China’s growth target of 5% for this year? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing tells us more.
Economy
Chinese property giant Vanke has avoided defaulting on its publicly traded bonds so far even during the prolonged market crisis. But its balance sheet has been weakened by falling sales of new homes and fragile market sentiment, and it has resorted to offloading assets to repay its debts on time.
Society
Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu notes that the recent public outcry against the heads of two prominent private enterprises for apparent transgressions in the name of “patriotism” does not bode well for the authorities’ efforts in support of the private sector.