Straitstimes.com header logo

Choose edition

Search

singapore

asia

world

opinion

life

business

sport

Visual

Podcasts

SPH Rewards

STClassifieds

Paid press releases

Advertise with us

FAQs

Contact us

 
Latest articles

China to import more to balance trade as surplus causes friction with partners

The photo taken on February 10, 2026 shows people browsing through luxury bags at a second-hand store in Shanghai. Boosting domestic consumption will be among key goals set forth by China's leaders at the annual Two Sessions political conclave this week, but they face an uphill battle. (Photo by Jade GAO / AFP) / To go with AFP story:  China-economy-politics-consumer-travel-retail, FOCUS by Jing Xuan TENG and Peter CATTERALL
The photo taken on February 10, 2026 shows people browsing through luxury bags at a second-hand store in Shanghai. Boosting domestic consumption will be among key goals set forth by China's leaders at the annual Two Sessions political conclave this week, but they face an uphill battle. (Photo by Jade GAO / AFP) / To go with AFP story:  China-economy-politics-consumer-travel-retail, FOCUS by Jing Xuan TENG and Peter CATTERALL

China to boost tech self-reliance in next 5 years as rivalry with US deepens

FILE Ñ A facial recognition display at an artificial intelligence conference in Shanghai, China, July 28, 2025. Chinese policymakers and the public have expressed high levels of optimism about AI, even as many in the West worry about the technologyÕs effects on employment or humanity in general. (Qilai Shen/The New York Times)
FILE Ñ A facial recognition display at an artificial intelligence conference in Shanghai, China, July 28, 2025. Chinese policymakers and the public have expressed high levels of optimism about AI, even as many in the West worry about the technologyÕs effects on employment or humanity in general. (Qilai Shen/The New York Times)

China trims GDP target to 4.5%-5%, first downgrade in 3 years amid weak domestic market

The reduced national GDP target was largely in line with economists’ expectations.
The reduced national GDP target was largely in line with economists’ expectations.

Why China condemns US-Israel strikes on Iran but stops short of lending military support

A news broadcast of the US-Israel strikes on Iran that triggered retaliation by Tehran across the Middle East, in Beijing on March 1.
A news broadcast of the US-Israel strikes on Iran that triggered retaliation by Tehran across the Middle East, in Beijing on March 1.

Chinese carmakers rev up EV production in South-east Asia but net gains to local workers uncertain

Chery cars for export are seen stacked at the port in Lianyungang, in eastern China's Jiangsu province on Jan 12.
Chery cars for export are seen stacked at the port in Lianyungang, in eastern China's Jiangsu province on Jan 12.

Singapore-based Shein tried to shed its Chinese roots. Now, it has done a U-turn

jyclothes - In the urban village of Nancun in Guangzhou's Panyu district, buildings like these house an assortment of garment factories on each floor, many of which produce for Shein.


ST PHOTO: JOYCE ZK LIM
jyclothes - In the urban village of Nancun in Guangzhou's Panyu district, buildings like these house an assortment of garment factories on each floor, many of which produce for Shein.


ST PHOTO: JOYCE ZK LIM

With somersaults, nunchucks, China’s humanoid robots thrill at CNY show – but can they make coffee?

jyrobot - A humanoid robot by Chinese company Zhipingfang serves coffee made by a coffee machine, while a human shop assistant loads cups for use. ST PHOTO: LIM MIN ZHANG
jyrobot - A humanoid robot by Chinese company Zhipingfang serves coffee made by a coffee machine, while a human shop assistant loads cups for use. ST PHOTO: LIM MIN ZHANG

Super-cheap bubble tea and fat hongbao: Chinese tech firms splurge to draw AI app users this CNY

Alibaba's 3 billion yuan campaign to promote its Qwen AI assistant includes giveaways of 25 yuan vouchers for food, drinks and other purchases.
Alibaba's 3 billion yuan campaign to promote its Qwen AI assistant includes giveaways of 25 yuan vouchers for food, drinks and other purchases.

In China’s richest province, not every city is in the fast lane

Shuttered storefronts at a wholesale market for building materials in Foshan's Shagang village.
Shuttered storefronts at a wholesale market for building materials in Foshan's Shagang village.

Why is China renewing a push for its digital currency?

 By offering interest similar to banks’ demand-deposit rates, Beijing is recasting the e-CNY from a cash-like instrument into something closer to a deposit.
 By offering interest similar to banks’ demand-deposit rates, Beijing is recasting the e-CNY from a cash-like instrument into something closer to a deposit.

E-paper

Newsletters

Podcasts

RSS Feed

About Us

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Need help? Reach us here.

Advertise with us

Download the app

Get unlimited access to exclusive stories and incisive insights from the ST newsroom
Subscribe Placeholder
MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.