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.
Economic recovery
Economy
Controversy over the ‘ice cream incident’ aside, the explosive popularity of the Shanghai Auto Show, along with the earlier Canton Fair, signals the “revenge recovery” of the expo economy.
Society
Li Ka-shing is familiar to many as an icon of Hong Kong entrepreneurs. Businessman Lew Mon-hung examines Li’s life-long contributions as the legend approaches his 95th birthday.
Society
Zibo, a third-tier former industrial city in Shandong, has been revitalised by a somewhat unlikely source: the humble barbecue skewer. Starting with university students back in March, there has been an influx of visitors hankering for a taste of Zibo barbecue. What is behind this sudden trend?
Economy
While China’s better-than-expected first quarter economic figures are encouraging, it cannot be denied that three years of pandemic measures and its aftermath have dealt a blow to China’s economy. Managing economic recovery while solving underlying structure issues will be a challenge in the road ahead, says Zaobao correspondent Yang Danxu.
Economy
Two of China’s largest container truck yards near the major port city of Ningbo in Zhejiang province have been filled with nearly 3,000 idle vehicles with no cargo to haul since early March, and the situation could get even worse with the delivery of new vessels. Could overcapacity in the industry lead to a price war?
Economy
A fierce price war has erupted as China’s auto sector enters lean times, with sales plunging since a government subsidy on EV purchases expired at the end of last year. New energy and conventional fossil fuel car makers alike are battling it out to gain a larger slice of the pie to survive.
Economy
As the world’s second largest economy, China’s domestic consumption has a major influence on the global economy. The Chinese government has said that its focus is on boosting China's domestic economy and consumption. But how should it go about achieving it? Researcher Ding Ke says it depends on the kind of society China wants to build.
Economy
Chinese academic Chen Bo explains Shanghai’s continued allure for international investors, despite the economic impact of last year’s pandemic restrictions and lockdowns.