This Month
China’s exports return to growth in boost to shaky economy
China’s exports edged higher in dollar terms last month as Beijing pinned its hopes on a manufacturing-led revival to boost flagging growth.
- Updated
- Joe Cash
- Analysis
- Analysis
China’s flood of cheap exports is about to get worse
EU leaders were this week the latest to scold China about overcapacity, but there are no quick fixes to its factory glut.
- Updated
- Karthikeyan Sundaram
China’s supercarrier is about to launch. Only one nation can beat her
The Fujian, China’s newest, biggest and most powerful aircraft carrier, is about to go to sea. What does that mean for the balance of naval power?
- Tom Sharpe
April
China’s factory activity slows, denting recovery
China’s factory activity expanded for a second consecutive month in April, but at a slower pace, suggesting its vast manufacturing sector might have lost steam.
- Ellen Zhang and Ryan Woo
- Opinion
- Opinion
Battered from all sides, China needs new solutions
Mindful of the inspiration deficit that ultimately brought the East Asian growth miracle crashing down, Chinese policymakers must seize the moment.
- Updated
- Stephen Roach
- Exclusive
- Start-ups
Aussie tech pushes into China, Taiwan despite geopolitical risks
Canva co-founder Cliff Obrecht has warned start-ups China should not be their first market but says it has massive rewards for companies that can make it there.
- Updated
- Jessica Sier
China factory profits slip as overcapacity troubles economic recovery
Industrial profits at large-scale Chinese companies declined 3.5 per cent from a year earlier in March, ending seven straight months of increases.
- Siuming Ho
- Opinion
- Opinion
Why Beijing’s latest manufacturing strategy could backfire
Chinese industrial firms are facing intense downward pressure on their profit margins because they lack pricing power in their domestic and export markets.
- Karen Maley
- Opinion
- The AFR View
What comes after the China boom for Australia?
As China and other advanced economies suffer mutual disillusionment, Australia needs to figure out how it maintains its sweet spot in China’s economy.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- Opinion
Bond yields rise as investors brace for US-China trade war to escalate
The Biden administration is poised to ramp up protection for high-tech green industries ahead of the US presidential election.
- Karen Maley
China’s factory expansion is new sign of recovery
While the industrial sector expanded for the first time in six months, China is still grappling with a deep property slowdown and weak investor confidence.
- Fran Wang
March
China scrutinises PwC role in $118b Evergrande fraud case
Authorities are examining the role of PwC in China Evergrande Group’s accounting practices after the developer was accused of fraud.
- Bloomberg News
‘Raided, arrested’: Hong Kong security law threat to Western business
The measures, which further tighten national security laws imposed by Beijing in 2020, fuelled concerns about Hong Kong’s future as Asia’s business hub.
- Updated
- James Warrington and Sarah Newey
China accuses Evergrande of ‘shocking’ $119b fraud
The allegations mark the latest blow for founder Hui Ka Yan, once among Asia’s richest tycoons, who oversaw an empire that spanned real estate to electric vehicles.
- Updated
- Mengchen Lu
- Opinion
- East Asia Forum
Crackdown on China’s solar industry casts long shadow
Proving China’s solar supply chains are free from forced labour is onerous, with a lack of trust and transparency on all sides raising geopolitical tensions.
- Joseph Negrine
Iron ore woes deepen as China’s key meet disappoints
The key annual gathering of China’s parliament failed to cheer commodities bulls hoping for a jolt to demand in the world’s biggest market for raw materials.
- Alfred Cang
China shuns Tesla, Apple as US tensions rise
Delegates at the annual Communist Party meeting spurned iPhones for homegrown handsets, saying US company Apple was “not safe”.
- Ryan McMorrow, Nian Liu, Gloria Li and Michael Acton
- Opinion
- Opinion
Shaky China is not a long-term bet for investors
The world’s second-largest economy faces a clear and present danger of falling into the middle-income trap.
- Mohamed El-Erian
- Opinion
- Xi Jinping
Rinse and repeat: no new ideas in Xi’s 2024 plan
Highly choreographed with few surprises, the annual meeting of China’s parliament has delivered a set of economic targets almost identical to last year despite rising challenges.
- Michael Smith
China sets growth target of 5pc despite challenges
Premier Li Qiang announced the widely anticipated target as he delivered his first ‘work report’, or annual budget, outlining key policies and economic targets.
- Updated
- Michael Smith