Month: May 2025

China is pushing to forge a powerful new economic bloc with countries across Southeast Asia and the Middle East to counteract rising US protectionism, with some analysts suggesting a prototype for an “Asian Union” may be taking shape. Advertisement Premier Li Qiang attended the opening of a new forum bringing together leaders from China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Tuesday, where he remarked that the current global tensions offered an opportunity to bring the three sides closer together. “Facing escalating geopolitical…

The municipal government of Zhuhai in southern Guangdong province has launched a new company as part of an ambitious programme to boost its artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics sectors, after the success of DeepSeek and Unitree Robotics sparked a national race to cultivate the next tech leaders. Advertisement On Wednesday, the city announced its support for the newly established Zhuhai Technology Industry Group, focusing on AI and robotics. It also unveiled incentives for local businesses, including “computing power vouchers” totalling 500 million yuan (US$69.5 million). Eligible companies will be reimbursed…

China, Southeast Asian nations and six Gulf states have pledged to foster closer cooperation with a strong emphasis on economic integration and energy collaboration, marking a milestone in enhancing tripartite alignment to tackle regional and global challenges. Advertisement In a comprehensive joint statement, leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system and economic globalisation, while voicing “grave concerns” over the situation in Gaza. Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the inaugural three-way summit in…

Chinese customs authorities have repeatedly stopped suspected smugglers of Pop Mart toys, including its Labubu and Molly series, as prices for the dolls soar amid a global expansion for the Beijing-based retailer. Advertisement Customs agents have intercepted undeclared toys multiple times from passengers “allegedly seeking to profit from resales”, China Daily reported. In one case, 318 toys were confiscated from three travellers at Changsha Huanghua International Airport in Hunan province, according to the state-run news outlet. In another case, it reported that a passenger at Hefei Xinqiao International Airport in…

European businesses’ optimism about growth and profitability in China has hit a record low, overshadowed by economic downturns and rising geopolitical tensions, according to annual survey findings by a leading foreign business association, which called for the full implementation of recently announced measures aimed at improving the business environment. Advertisement Conducted two weeks before US President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, the survey of 503 chamber members showed a bleak outlook even before the China-US trade war intensified in April with soaring tariffs. Only 29 per…

A recently granted patent in China’s aeronautics industry has signalled a significant leap in the development of a critical component for jet engines – a next-generation self-cooling turbine blade that could mean critical advantages for both the country’s military and civilian aircraft. Advertisement The patent outlined a new method for producing alloy turbine blades capable of withstanding temperatures up to 15 per cent higher than existing versions. The improved heat resistance was expected to deliver greater engine thrust, better fuel efficiency, and longer service life. The Beijing Institute of Aeronautical…