Economist urges China to push further to elevate private sector as draft law disappoints

Economist urges China to push further to elevate private sector as draft law disappoints

The status of the private sector should be raised under China’s private economy promotion law, a leading economist said amid widespread disappointment about a draft of the law that is out for public comment until November 8. The introduction of the first basic law regarding the development of the private sector is a “milestone” event, … Read more

China’s middle class is riding a wave of optimism for now, but can it last?

China’s middle class is riding a wave of optimism for now, but can it last?

The 41-year-old had lost around 80 per cent of the 2 million yuan (US$283,000) she invested over a decade. This week she was among the hundreds of millions of Chinese rushing back to the market on a wave of optimism after the government announced new measures to revive the economy. “I think the top leadership … Read more

Chinese premier calls for ‘tangible, effective, accessible’ policies to aid economy

Chinese premier calls for ‘tangible, effective, accessible’ policies to aid economy

Premier Li Qiang called on China to explore and introduce incremental policies that are “tangible, effective and accessible to both the public and businesses”, as increasing external headwinds and prolonged weak domestic demand are creating challenges to the annual economic growth target. Analysts said Beijing was likely to opt for an expanding fiscal policy for … Read more

China launches high-level probe after paper says fuel tankers used to carry cooking oil

China launches high-level probe after paper says fuel tankers used to carry cooking oil

State broadcaster CCTV reported on Tuesday that the State Council, China’s cabinet, had set up an investigative team involving several government bodies to tackle the matter. Planning body the National Development and Reform Commission, the ministries of public security and transport, the state administrations of market regulation and grain and reserves, and other departments will … Read more

China’s rural-urban divide, tax system weigh down economic potential, former official says

China’s rural-urban divide, tax system weigh down economic potential, former official says

The third plenum of the Central Committee of China’s Communist Party, scheduled for next month, is expected to set the tone for the country’s economic policy for the next several years. In advance of that meeting, the Post is reviewing the work of notable scholars and observers about their own expectations – as well as … Read more

JD.com commits US$900 million to support nationwide trade-in programme for home appliances, consumer goods

JD.com commits US0 million to support nationwide trade-in programme for home appliances, consumer goods

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com is investing more than 6.5 billion yuan (US$900 million) with partners to bolster this year’s nationwide trade-in programme for home appliances and consumer goods, part of Beijing’s efforts to energise the country’s post-pandemic economic recovery. Most of that investment will be used to subsidise consumers for trading in their home appliances … Read more

Who’s who on Xi’s Europe trip: Chinese president accompanied in Macron meeting by top party and ministerial officials

Who’s who on Xi’s Europe trip: Chinese president accompanied in Macron meeting by top party and ministerial officials

These are officials in the president’s entourage during his Europe visit: Cai Qi Cai, China’s No 5 official and the ideology chief of the ruling Communist Party, often accompanies Xi on domestic and overseas trips. The 68-year-old is on the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee, the party’s highest authority, making him the most powerful chief of … Read more

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng’s growing influence on economic policy shown as former subordinate joins top finance policy body

Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng’s growing influence on economic policy shown as former subordinate joins top finance policy body

Yan Pengcheng, who served under He in various roles at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), has been appointed as a deputy head of the general office of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission. The latter is a powerful Communist Party body responsible for managing the world’s second-largest economy and He is director … Read more