Topic

China economic policy

72 eventsActive since 26 Jul 2026Updated 19 Oct 2026Economic

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political19 Oct 2026

State media highlights importance of party leadership and core authority

On Monday, the People’s Daily published an article by Xie Chuntao, the vice-president of the Central Party School, emphasizing the necessity of a strong core leadership for the Communist Party. The text argued that a core and authoritative leadership is required to ensure party unity and the effective implementation of official orders. This assertion was framed as a key lesson derived from the history of the Long March.

political19 Oct 2026

Hong Kong to revamp funding model for performing arts groups

Hong Kong's government announced a plan to revamp the funding model for performing arts groups, transitioning from permanent support to a system based on merit and commercial returns. This policy change, intended to reduce reliance on public subsidies and make room for emerging companies, impacts the city’s nine designated major performing arts groups. While some industry experts supported the shift, directors of these major groups expressed concerns regarding the difficulty of securing private funds amid an economic downturn and requested a long-term view for arts development.

economic18 Oct 2026

China Proposes New Regulations to Improve Gig Worker Conditions

On October 8, Chinese authorities released draft regulations aimed at improving pay, rest periods, and labor protections for approximately 84 million gig workers, including ride-hailing drivers and delivery riders. The proposed rules require platform companies to provide breaks after four consecutive hours, mandate monthly pay cycles, and require human review for account suspensions or order-assignment penalties previously dictated by algorithms. The initiative follows previous guidelines issued in 2021 and 2024 and seeks to transition existing protections into more legally binding obligations for platforms like Didi and Meituan.

economic18 Oct 2026

Second-hand smartphone traders target Hong Kong for global exports

The inaugural Global Mobile Exchange Pavilion debuted at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong as part of the Global Sources Hong Kong Shows. Co-hosted by the Hong Kong International Communications Electronic Chamber (HKICEC) and Global Sources, the event featured over 60 companies from mainland China, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, and India. The pavilion was established to provide a platform for international recycling platforms, refurbishers, and automated kiosk operators to utilize Hong Kong as a hub for exporting used smartphones to global markets.

economic18 Oct 2026

Challenges facing the development of Hong Kong's biomedical innovation sector

Professor Raymond Tong Kai-yu, a biomedical engineer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, developed a robotic hand device called “Hand of Hope” to assist stroke patients with mobility. Although the device is currently used in hospitals across 15 countries, Tong noted that the process of transitioning scientific research into practical, market-ready applications proved difficult. The development highlighted the significant challenges engineers face when attempting to align research breakthroughs with successful market access.

economic18 Oct 2026

More drug and semiconductor firms eyeing Hong Kong expansion, OASES head says

Peter Yan King-shun, director general of the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES), announced that 10 to 20 additional companies are preparing to establish or expand operations in Hong Kong. The incoming group includes a semiconductor business and several pharmaceutical firms, with the government body reporting a roughly equal split between mainland Chinese and overseas entities. These developments follow the existing presence of five of the world’s 10 largest pharmaceutical companies within the city.

economic18 Oct 2026

Apple updates iOS to reflect China's official holiday schedule

In September, Apple updated its iOS operating system for users in China to automatically recognize the country's official schedule of adjusted workdays and holidays. The update addressed recurring issues where iPhones failed to align alarms and notifications with China’s system of make-up workdays and redirected holidays. This adjustment occurred nearly 17 years after Apple entered the Chinese market. The modification highlighted how China’s calendar functions as an administrative tool that engineers longer continuous breaks by redistributing public time.

economic17 Oct 2026

The state of the gaming industry in China

Chinese developer Hoothanes Technology, led by Connor Xu, recently began developing 'The Defiant,' a video game focused on Chinese history during the 1930s and 1940s that aims to reach an international audience. While China's gaming market grew to include over 700 million players, it remained subject to strict state regulations, including real-name registration and a three-hour weekly limit for minors. These controls followed a 14-year ban on official console sales that lasted until 2014, which shifted the industry focus toward PCs and smartphones. Despite these constraints, the Chinese government recognized the industry's economic potential, leading to the rise of major tech companies like Tencent and NetEase.

political17 Oct 2026

Hong Kong legislature uses AI to analyze policy address debate

Legislative Council President Starry Lee Wai-king announced that artificial intelligence was utilized to generate an overview of a six-session policy address debate in Hong Kong. The analysis identified the session on livelihood protections as the most significant, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the total debate coverage. Lee stated that this overview was created to assist government authorities in accurately understanding the primary focus areas of the motion debate.

political17 Oct 2026

China's anti-corruption agency investigates former Chongqing mayor Huang Qifan

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) launched an investigation into former Chongqing mayor Huang Qifan and announced the expulsion of a senior official in Sichuan province. The CCDI stated that these actions demonstrated the party’s unwavering resolve to combat corruption regardless of an official’s seniority. The watchdog emphasized that these developments served to send a strong signal that there are no restricted zones for corrupt officials.

economic17 Oct 2026

Moonshot AI partners with banks to launch AI computing credit card

Moonshot AI partnered with the Agricultural Bank of China and American Express to launch an AI-focused credit card. This initiative allowed cardholders to access Kimi’s 'Pro' membership benefits after meeting specific spending requirements. Users who spent at least 5,888 yuan within one month received two months of the premium membership, which was valued at 199 yuan per month.

economic17 Oct 2026

Hong Kong to launch central gold clearing platform in 2025

Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu announced that Hong Kong will launch a central gold clearing platform in the first quarter of 2025. The platform aims to facilitate physical delivery and payments linked to the real-time gross settlement system as part of a broader strategy to establish an international gold and precious metals trading ecosystem. The initiative intends to connect Asian liquidity with international market standards by providing a dedicated venue for trading, storage, clearing, refining, and risk management within the Asian time zone.

economic17 Oct 2026

Beijing approves expanded visit for Japanese business delegation

Beijing approved an increase in the size of a Japanese Business Federation, or Keidanren, delegation scheduled to visit China next month from five to approximately 20 members. This decision followed a trip to the Chinese capital by former foreign minister Takeshi Iwaya, who led a 50-member trade delegation. The upcoming Keidanren visit may coincide with the Apec summit in Shenzhen in mid-November.

economic16 Oct 2026

Macau Authority Warns Against Chinese SYS Events

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) advised Taiwanese citizens to avoid events in China marking the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s birth on November 12. The council cautioned against echoing the Chinese Communist Party's narrative, stating that Beijing distorts historical facts to promote an agenda of opposing Taiwan independence and advancing unification. Although both governments view Sun as a historical figure of importance, China maintains that Sun was a patriot who opposed splitting the country, while Taiwan asserts the importance of his role in founding the Republic of China.

economic16 Oct 2026

China increases gold purchases to reduce reliance on US dollar assets

The People’s Bank of China increased its gold reserves for 23 consecutive months as of September, marking its largest monthly purchase in nearly three years by adding approximately 23 tonnes. This shift brought China’s total reported gold holdings to about 2,410 tonnes, increasing gold's share of total official reserves from 5.5 percent at the end of 2024 to 8.5 percent by September. Concurrently, private Chinese investors boosted purchases of gold bars and coins by 28.4 percent during the first half of 2026. Analysts identified these actions as a risk management strategy driven by concerns over high US debt levels and the potential for Western asset freezes, as exemplified by the freezing of Russian central bank assets.

economic16 Oct 2026

China's central bank to further open financial markets to foreign investors

People’s Bank of China (PBOC) Governor Pan Gongsheng announced on October 15 that China would further open its financial markets to foreign investors to meet global diversification needs. Speaking at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings, Pan identified rising geopolitical risks, global economic shifts, and advancements in AI as primary factors behind this policy direction. To support this initiative, the PBOC committed to expanding risk management tools, improving cross-border financial infrastructure, and promoting the use of yuan bonds as collateral.

political16 Oct 2026

Hong Kong to require transparency in private healthcare fees

The Hong Kong Health Bureau submitted a document to the Legislative Council outlining new requirements for private healthcare providers to increase fee transparency. Starting as early as August next year, hospitals and clinics will be mandated to publish bilingual fee schedules and annual billing statistics. These measures, which were first proposed in May of last year, also include new regulations regarding budget estimates and price information.

economic16 Oct 2026

China central bank chief calls for joint action on global economic imbalances

At the third G20 finance ministers and central bank governors’ meeting in Bangkok, People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng stated that exchange-rate adjustments alone could not resolve global economic imbalances. Pan urged both surplus and deficit economies to share the responsibility for addressing these systemic issues. He advocated for a more comprehensive analytical approach that looks beyond current accounts to consider how financial factors and capital flows impact imbalances in an increasingly integrated global economy.

political16 Oct 2026

Beijing regulators launch joint investigation into electric vehicle safety

On October 16, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced a joint investigation into the safety of Huawei-backed Maextro luxury electric vehicles. The investigation team, which also includes the Cyberspace Administration of China and the State Administration for Market Regulation, was tasked with verifying reports of brake pedal failures captured in a viral video. The three ministry-level authorities initiated the probe to address public quality and reliability concerns regarding Chinese-made intelligent vehicles.

economic16 Oct 2026

BYD shifts to local assembler in Malaysia after canceling plant construction plans

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD canceled plans to construct its own manufacturing plant in Malaysia and instead appointed Sime Darby’s Inokom unit to assemble vehicles from knocked-down parts. This decision followed the shelving of the company's proprietary factory plans. BYD shifted this strategy to comply with local rules and maintain market competitiveness as competition within the electric vehicle sector intensified.

economic16 Oct 2026

Chinese High-Net-Worth Individuals Adjust Offshore Trust and Asset Strategies

Chinese high-net-worth individuals adjusted their offshore trust and asset strategies. These individuals modified their financial approaches regarding holdings located outside of China.

economic16 Oct 2026

Indonesian minister visits China to discuss durian exports

Indonesian Transmigration Minister Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara commenced a seven-day visit to China on Monday to consult with Beijing’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, companies, and academic institutions. The delegation sought to learn from China's rural economic development models to address poverty in Indonesia. As part of this effort, Indonesian officials aimed to explore opportunities to increase exports of the durian crop.

political16 Oct 2026

Factsheet released on Hong Kong five-year plan for tech and talent

The Hong Kong SAR government released the fourth factsheet in a five-year series detailing the region's 2026 policy address, specifically focusing on initiatives for technology and talent. This publication followed three previous installments covering Hong Kong's general trajectory and competitive edge. The series was produced with support from the Hong Kong SAR government to communicate its strategic development goals.

economic15 Oct 2026

IMF suggests China increase healthcare spending to boost consumption

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released a book titled 'Toward a New Economic Growth Model for China' that identified high healthcare costs as a primary driver of household saving rather than spending in China. Economists Yizhi Xu and Fan Zhang noted that rural residents spend 8.7% of their disposable income on healthcare, a figure second only to the U.S. among 20 major economies, while urban residents spend 5.4%. The IMF stated that increasing government spending on health and social security, particularly in rural areas, would help reduce the high savings rate and boost consumption. Furthermore, the report identified declining house prices as an additional factor contributing to elevated household savings and constrained consumer spending.

economic15 Oct 2026

MSCI proposes downgrading Indonesia to standalone market status

MSCI proposed a downgrade of Indonesia from its current market classification to standalone market status. This proposal involved a change to the market status of the country within the MSCI index framework.

political15 Oct 2026

Hong Kong addresses low birth rates through liveability and talent retention policies

Hong Kong's Census and Statistics Department reported an annualised 15.6 per cent decline in births, resulting in a historic low of fewer than 30,000 newborns. In response, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s administration introduced 11 policy measures aimed at addressing low birth rates and talent retention. Dr. Jane Lee, president of the Our Hong Kong Foundation, noted that these efforts were linked to the city's overall liveability. The government's initiatives included a HK$20,000 baby bonus, increased tax incentives, modified mortgage and stamp duty requirements for families, and expanded after-school care.

economic15 Oct 2026

Black mould and bugs reported at Chinese plants producing GLP-1 compounding agents

US FDA inspectors documented unsanitary conditions, including black mould and insect activity, at two Chinese facilities that manufactured semaglutide and tirzepatide active ingredients for compounded versions of weight-loss drugs. At the Chengdu Shengnuo Biopharm plant, staff were observed hiding documentation and discarding product samples during the inspection, while Nanjing Chengong Pharmaceutical was found to be relabeling ingredients sourced from other factories without verification. Both firms supplied components for compounded drugs, which, unlike brand-name versions from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, do not undergo FDA review for safety or efficacy. The FDA subsequently placed both companies on its import-alert list, restricting their ability to export these ingredients to the United States.

economic15 Oct 2026

Hunan police warn of financial risks in cross-border matchmaking

Police in Xintian county, Hunan province, issued a warning on Tuesday regarding the potential financial and legal risks associated with cross-border arranged marriages. Authorities stated that for-profit international matchmaking is illegal in China and noted that relationships arranged by such agencies often lack genuine emotional foundations. The alert followed concerns that these organizations charge high fees, which can lead to significant financial loss and legal trouble for participants.

economic15 Oct 2026

Baidu to launch public trial of autonomous vehicles in Hong Kong

Chinese technology giant Baidu scheduled the launch of Hong Kong’s first large-scale public trial for autonomous vehicles, slated to run from October 21 to November 3. The trial involves the company's robotaxi platform, Apollo, and is set to host more than 1,000 residents in Tung Chung. Iris Wong Man-hei, a manager for Baidu’s intelligent driving group, stated that the initiative serves to demonstrate the firm's autonomous driving technology and safety standards to the public.

economic15 Oct 2026

Anhui official pledges support for chip manufacturer CXMT

Three weeks into his tenure, Anhui Communist Party secretary Li Lecheng conducted an inspection of ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) in Hefei to discuss the firm's role as a pillar industry for integrated circuits. During the visit, Li met with CXMT chairman Zhu Yiming and advocated for increased home-grown innovation and expansion into domestic and international markets. The visit followed CXMT's weekend announcement regarding progress on a new memory-cell architecture designed to increase density, with the company president, Cao Kanyu, confirming a new server memory product is expected to launch by the end of this year.

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