Yesterday
China hits back at Canada with fresh agriculture levies
The latest move by Beijing opens a new front in a trade war largely driven by US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
China’s inflation drops below zero for first time in a year
A clearer read on the inflation trend will emerge in March, as investors look for signs that the government’s stimulus is translating into stronger demand.
Is China serious about tackling the steel glut?
Four years after oversupply and rising consumer uncertainty killed China’s property boom, Beijing is again re-evaluating the steel industry that supplied it.
This Month
China accuses Trump of being ‘two-faced’ on trade relations
Foreign Minister Wang Yi also presented China as a force for stability, as Donald Trump shakes up the world economy with tariffs.
Apple’s quiet pivot to India
The iPhone maker wants to diversify its supply chain beyond China. Can the world’s largest democracy deliver?
Hegseth hits back after China declares ‘we’re ready’ for war
The US defence secretary says “those who long for peace must prepare for war”.
China bolsters defence budget to build bigger military
China is increasing its defence spending and looks to fire up its sluggish economy, in the midst of a trade war with the United States.
China steps up stimulus amid escalating trade war
Premier Li Qiang warns that “changes unseen in a century are unfolding across the world at a faster pace”.
China hits US farms in tariff fightback
A trade war between the world’s two biggest economies has officially erupted after Beijing hit back at the US with tit-for-tat tariffs, rocking markets.
BYD pledges to work with rival Tesla to combat petrol cars
Executive vice-president Stella Li said China was willing to share key technologies in EVs and autonomous driving with foreign companies despite rising trade tensions.
China set to repeat 5pc growth target at annual political gathering
Investors and markets are watching the National People’s Congress for signs of how Xi Jinping plans to withstand Donald Trump’s tariffs on the sluggish economy.
Is Taiwan next? China keenly watches Trump dump Ukraine
The US president’s dramatic meltdown with Volodymyr Zelensky raises urgent questions about whether America would support the island if Beijing invaded.
February
Singapore’s richest clan in crisis over public father-son feud
Even by the standards of Asian succession dramas, the family feud raging at the Kwek dynasty, who run Singapore’s biggest listed developer, is striking.
How Musk’s Teslas are being outsmarted in China
Strict data privacy laws in China and the US mean Tesla’s cars are dumber than the competition in the world’s biggest consumer market.
Taiwan detains Chinese-crewed ship after undersea cable severed
Taiwan is preparing for the worst in an escalating subsea infrastructure battle after authorities detained a Chinese-crewed cargo vessel suspected of sabotage.
Tesla’s autopilot update stops short in China
Elon Musk’s plans to bring new capabilities to China has proved tricky due to technology restrictions imposed by both the US and Chinese governments.
Emboldened China signs Pacific mining deal amid Tasman naval drills
A minerals exploration deal between the superpower and the Cook Islands is Beijing’s latest push for influence in a region historically aligned to the West.
China slams Australia for ‘hyping up’ live-fire drills in Tasman Sea
The defence ministry has hit back at Australia’s response to its naval exercises off the east coast, labelling Canberra’s protests as “unreasonable”.
China tests Australia’s, Trump’s resolve on Taiwan
The shifting geopolitical landscape has opened new opportunities for Xi Jinping in his plans to wrest back control of Taiwan. Australia is increasingly exposed.
NZ ‘monitoring’ live-fire drills by China in international waters
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it was unclear where the Chinese naval vessels were headed in international waters and for what purpose.
Back in favour. Why China’s Xi needs Jack Ma more than ever
The Chinese president’s symbolic handshake this week with exiled billionaire Jack Ma shows Beijing needs tech entrepreneurs to revive the economy.
The real reason for Mitsui Japan’s $8.4b iron ore grab
The trading house aims to secure its future steel supplies to South-East Asia to counter China’s influence.
Will it be Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow?
The countries most likely to be at the receiving end of China’s military bullying have the greatest reason to fear it will be emboldened by a Russian victory.
China pushes back on Tesla expansion as trade tensions mount
Beijing is said to be weighing up using its approval for the EV maker’s autonomous driving technology as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the US.
China’s unspoken question: who will succeed Xi Jinping?
The Chinese leader enjoys complete domination of party and state. But to maintain stability, he also needs to signal a succession process is in place.