Month: August 2025

“Boosting consumption” has become one of the most familiar refrains when it comes to discussing China’s economy. From official statements to think tank reports, the idea that China must pivot away from its decades-long reliance on investment and exports towards a more consumer-driven model has gained near-universal traction. Advertisement However, this growing consensus risks simplifying a far more complex question: what exactly is the role of consumption in China’s growth, and is its perceived weakness truly the root of the country’s economic challenges? China’s supposed failure to unlock household demand…

Beijing is on high alert for New Delhi’s involvement in South China Sea disputes after the first-ever joint patrol between India and the Philippines in the strategically important waters, which observers say may further complicate relations between India and China. Advertisement The assessment was made as Indian and Philippine navies on Monday wrapped up their maritime cooperative activity (MCA), which coincided with a state visit by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr to India. The MCA involved three Indian naval vessels, including a guided missile destroyer and an anti-submarine corvette. 05:22…

The southern city of Foshan has required real-name registration for medication to treat chikungunya fever, while two cities in southeastern China have asked travellers returning from affected areas to monitor their health for signs of the mosquito-borne illness. Advertisement The market supervision bureau in Foshan, Guangdong province issued a public notice on Sunday asking all retail pharmacies to start real-name registration and to keep records when selling medications to treat symptoms of chikungunya, including fever, rashes and joint pain. This practice was also used during the Covid-19 pandemic to help…

Advertisement Its design is based on a modified version of the country’s long-serving transport plane the Y-20B, and its most distinctive addition is a radar dome on top of the fuselage that hides an array of advanced equipment. China is trying to rapidly grow its fleet of airborne information command centres with at least three new models in the pipeline: the lightweight shipborne KJ-600, the medium-sized KJ-700, and the largest and most advanced KJ-3000. Although other militaries, including the United States, have decided the planes are not suited for modern…

Amid falling prices and stiff competition from imports, China has unveiled plans to bolster the cattle industry – the latest in a series of policies aimed at strengthening key agricultural sectors. Advertisement China will step up its beef production and implement a quality-grading system for locally produced beef to promote consumption of high-quality versions of the meat – part of an effort announced by the nation’s top economic planner and nine government departments to boost consumption of farm produce. A top producer and consumer of agricultural products, China will unleash…