Yesterday
The hidden numbers dragging down China’s economy
A slump in property transactions in smaller cities highlights the difficulty of reviving China’s property market.
This Month
Investors stay wary as stimulus speculation helps boost iron ore price
Construction starts and production in China, one of the world’s biggest steel markets, continue to fall. But shares in ASX-listed iron ore giants are rising.
Beyond the Wall: Albanese’s high-stakes China play
As the prime minister is criticised over the extent of his China sightseeing, the government insists it is playing the long game and that face time matters.
Selfies, hushed huddles: Inside Albanese’s CEO conclave in China
Many of the Australian executives are old China hands who say they are witnessing a lucrative transformation that their businesses cannot miss out on.
‘Not going to last’: China’s economy holds steady for now
China’s economy grew 5.2 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter as resilience in exports helped to offset sluggish domestic demand in the giant economy.
The fading power of Xi Jinping
In a system built on secrecy, no one knows the reality behind the scenes, but there are signs China’s leader could be in political trouble.
June
BYD slows production, shuts showrooms in brutal EV price war
The Chinese EV giant has also cancelled night shifts at some factories in a sign that sales growth could slow in the country’s cut-throat car market.
To understand Xi Jinping, look at his father’s life
Xi Zhongxun was purged by the Communist Party he served and went on to help reform Chinese politics. His son is the most authoritarian leader since Mao.
May
How Heineken bucked the trend and surged in China
The country’s biggest brewer is using its Dutch partner to reach more of the growing premium segment.
Inside the ‘stolen iPhone’ building
The Financial Times tracked the roaring trade of mobiles grabbed in London, New York and elsewhere, then sold in one district in southern China’s Shenzhen.
Xi strikes a blow for old-school economic nationalism
While both governments hailed the temporary trade agreement as a win, the details point to a diplomatic victory for Beijing, at least in the short term.
China launches policy blitz to aid economy ahead of trade talks
Beijing has cut a key interest rate and announced other measures to bolster growth, just hours after the US and China agreed on their first tariff talks.
This is how far the Chinese car industry has come in 20 years
In 2005, the Asian giant’s car companies were making shameless copies of Daihatsu hatchbacks. Now, China is home to the largest motor industry the world has seen.
April
China has an army of robots on its side in the tariff war
Enormous investments in factory equipment and artificial intelligence are giving Beijing an edge in car manufacturing and other industries.
China’s military spending has surged. So have the purges
As Australia remembers its war dead on Anzac Day, the Chinese military’s huge build-up and sophistication is raising questions in China and countries across the region.
‘Not fit to fight’: The blind spots in Australia’s defence capability
The government is spending on big and expensive equipment such as submarines, but critics say vital conflict weapons such as drones and missiles need priority.
China TikTok influencers mock US consumers over trade war
The viral videos aim to “expose” how Western customers are paying too much for their Lululemons and Nikes given how cheaply they are made in China.
China hikes tariffs, says Trump’s trade war ‘has become a joke’
China’s commerce ministry said Donald Trump’s use of excessively high tariffs has become little more than a numbers game.
The economic nuke China could still drop on Trump
Retaliatory tariffs may only be the beginning of Beijing’s counterattack, although one possibility would be devastating for both the US and China.
‘The sky won’t fall’: Beijing appeals for calm over tariff storm
Beijing said it has a range of tools to defend its economy from Trump’s trade war, but also acknowledged growth could take a hit, as China stocks plunged.