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China manufacturing

Is ‘China plus one’ working?

With China long established as the world’s factory, the United States has led a push to divert manufacturing and supply chains away from the world’s second-largest economy. In this three-part series, we look at whether the widely termed “China plus one” strategy is working for global manufacturers.

26 Jul 2024 - 9:08AM

China-made goods shine at Paris Olympics amid lack of ‘comparable competitors’

26 Jul 2024 - 7:21PMvideocam

New Foxconn deal shows how Chinese provinces are coping with waning confidence

25 Jul 2024 - 8:53PMvideocam

China doubles cash subsidies to propel EV sales as economic growth falls short

Consumers who replace their conventional cars with an EV stand to receive a subsidy of 20,000 yuan (US$2,770), up from 10,000 yuan announced in April.

25 Jul 2024 - 9:12PMvideocam

Visitors look at an electric sports car displayed at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in Tianjin. China has doubled subsidies for EV buyers to spur sales. Photo: Xinhua

Macroscope | China’s uneven recovery risks more US protectionism, even if Trump loses

China’s trade surplus and deflationary policies propping up its push for hi-tech manufacturing mean a sharp US response is likely, whoever wins the November election.

25 Jul 2024 - 4:30PMvideocam

Huawei plans tri-fold smartphone as Apple weighs foldable iPhone, reports say

Apple is reportedly working on a clamshell-style foldable smartphone for release as soon as 2026, while Huawei prepares a dual-hinged foldable for production.

25 Jul 2024 - 7:00AM

Opinion | Britain can deliver on its domestic goals by working with China

As Britain’s new government seeks to revamp the nation’s politics, there are key opportunities to adopt a similar approach on foreign affairs.

24 Jul 2024 - 8:30PM

Apple COO meets Shenzhen official to talk supply chain ahead of iPhone 16 launch

Apple’s Jeff Williams met with Shenzhen Communist Party Secretary Meng Fanli, who welcomed the iPhone maker to increase investment in the city.

24 Jul 2024 - 7:17PM

Enticed German firms bring their best tech, products to be ‘in China for China’

With fewer options amid geopolitical strife and supply-chain disruptions, capitalising on China’s massive market requires a more inward-facing plan for foreign firms.

26 Jul 2024 - 9:36AMvideocam

Alibaba bets on Taobao, Tmall clothing retailers to go up against Shein, Temu

Alibaba’s latest initiative ratchets up its efforts to compete overseas against Shein, Temu and ByteDance-owned TikTok Shop.

24 Jul 2024 - 10:00AM

PDD-owned Temu’s first-half sales hit US$20 billion, beating 2023 total: report

Temu reached the US$20-billion milestone in gross merchandise value faster than its Chinese-backed rivals Shein and TikTok Shop.

23 Jul 2024 - 11:00PMvideocam

PDD Holdings-owned online marketplace Temu initially went live in the United States in September 2022. Photo: Shutterstock

Global e-commerce boom boosts demand for Chinese goods untouched by tariffs

Buying Chinese products online has become increasingly popular, and shopping platforms such as Temu and Shein are riding the e-commerce wave.

23 Jul 2024 - 9:00PMvideocam

China moves closer to launching flying taxi services as EHang seeks Beijing’s go-ahead

Chinese flying taxi maker EHang’s latest certification process marks the final step before it enters the domestic market for urban air mobility services.

23 Jul 2024 - 6:00PMvideocam

Opinion | Are foreign firms ready for China’s reforms?

The era of easy money is over. China’s market-friendly reforms come with rising costs, and greater political control and regulatory scrutiny.

23 Jul 2024 - 6:28PMvideocam

People eat in a restaurant in Beijing’s central business district on July 11. Chinese leaders recognise that stabilising the economy is crucial to attracting foreign companies. Photo: AFP

China auto giant tries to slam the brakes on EU’s ‘illegal’ anti-subsidy probe

Brussels’ new tariffs on China’s EVs are grinding gears in its auto industry, and SAIC Motor is pushing back.

24 Jul 2024 - 9:08AMvideocam

Chinese factory workers assemble a car at an SAIC Motor plant in Shanghai. Photo: Xinhua

Climate change: German plastics firm in alliance to recycle parts in China

German plastic materials maker Covestro is stepping up efforts to collaborate with vehicle makers and recycling partners to reuse plastic car parts in China to reduce the carbon and resource footprint of its products.

23 Jul 2024 - 1:53PMvideocam

Top chip executive says China will soon see ‘explosive’ semiconductor growth

Chen Nanxiang, who also chairs China’s top chip industry association, said the country will benefit from new applications and packaging technologies, as Moore’s Law slows.

23 Jul 2024 - 7:00AMvideocam

My Take | China faces tough balancing act to embrace tech, while losing traditional jobs

The transition to robotaxi services comes at a time when China is in a race to lead the world in the adoption of autonomous vehicle and artificial intelligence technologies.

23 Jul 2024 - 7:00AMvideocam

Inside an Apollo Go robotaxi. There are nearly 500 driverless taxis operating in Wuhan, capital of central Hubei province. Photo: Coco Feng

As US tariffs take their toll, Chinese companies rethink their stake in Vietnam

Vietnam has long been a preferred destination for foreign-invested projects, but rising costs are pushing Chinese firms to consider their options.

26 Jul 2024 - 9:10AMvideocam

Nvidia said to prepare a version of new Blackwell AI chip for China market

Shipments of Nvidia’s ‘B20’ artificial intelligence chip are said to start in the second quarter of 2025.

22 Jul 2024 - 10:24PM

Xiaomi started making electric cars over US sanction fears, founder says

Within two months of being temporarily placed on a US military blacklist, Xiaomi announced plans to enter China’s saturated electric vehicle market.

22 Jul 2024 - 7:00PM

Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun speaks in front of an image of the SU7 sedan at an event in Beijing on July 19. Photo: AFP

China’s Xpeng, Volkswagen further ties to develop new EV models, technologies

Volkswagen Group strengthens ties with Xpeng with a deal to develop systems that enhance intelligent driving abilities.

22 Jul 2024 - 4:45PM

Xpeng’s electric vehicle (EV) G9 is seen displayed at the Xpeng booth during the first China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, China November 28, 2023. Volkswagen Group has extended its collaboration with Chinese electric vehicle Xpeng to develop systems that enhance intelligent driving abilities. Photo: Reuters

Ex-BlueRun China arm Lanchi eyes global VC status with new Hong Kong base, AI focus

Lanchi Ventures looks to ride the next wave of tech innovation with new Hong Kong base.

22 Jul 2024 - 7:30AM

Why China’s first giant HIP press marks a leap forward for aerospace sector

Ultra-large hot isostatic pressing (HIP) machine expected to boost China’s global edge in high-performance, wear-resistant new materials.

21 Jul 2024 - 7:04PM

China’s pork prices served up as reason badminton is now a ‘rich people’s sport’

Demand for pork has increased in China, meaning less duck and goose is being sold, resulting in badminton shuttlecocks becoming more expensive.

21 Jul 2024 - 5:00PM

Badminton is one of the most widely played sports in China. Photo: Reuters

Opinion | Complacent no more, Hong Kong is on the right track with its tech moves

Forced now to diversify its economy, Hong Kong is moving forward on giving its industrial base the talent, land and funding that it needs.

21 Jul 2024 - 1:26PM

A person looks on from a pavilion facing the Lok Ma Chau Loop on January 10, 2017. The San Tin Technopole, together with the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Lok Ma Chau Loop, will produce around 600 hectares of land for tech-based development. Photo: Nora Tam

China escapes Microsoft outage, thanks to Beijing’s tech self-sufficiency drive

The Microsoft Windows outage that affected foreign businesses and luxury hotels in China on Friday left the country’s key infrastructure unaffected.

19 Jul 2024 - 8:19PM

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The View | Chinese investment won’t cure the cancer plaguing Malaysia’s economy

Malaysia’s woes stem from corruption and weak governance, linked to race-based privileges. Outsiders are not in a position to remedy this.

19 Jul 2024 - 5:00PMvideocam

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China manufacturing

China is the world’s largest manufacturer in terms of output and gained a reputation as the “world’s factory” shortly after its accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001. Lured by cheap labour, China’s new commitment to opening up its economy, and low tariff access to Western markets, all due to its WTO entry, foreign firms and investors rushed to do business in the world’s most populous country in the new millennium. Aided by state investment, China has since become a world leader in the manufacture of steel, car parts, chemical fertilisers, technology, robotics.