China

Swathes of Asia’s financial systems are vulnerable to potential disruption from quantum computing technology, including those hosting secure transactions, industry executives have warned. Only a handful of major economies in the region, such as China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, have embarked on strategies to safeguard their systems, but most financial institutions across the region are vulnerable to quantum attacks because they are ill prepared, experts say. The threat looms even as digital wallets and real-time payment systems are widely being used and deeply integrated into the financial systems. Quantum computing is a new branch of processing which can solve complex problems within minutes or hours that might take a classical computer thousands of years to crack. Wh...

A decision by Chinese policymakers this month to not include electric vehicles among the strategic industries for the country’s latest five-year development plan is a clear signal that Beijing is about to leave behind an era of lucrative subsidies for the sector, experts say. China published its five-year development plan for 2026-2030 on Tuesday and for the first time in 15 years, new energy vehicles (NEVs) were not included in its list of strategic emerging industries. NEVs comprise EVs, plug-in hybrids, and fuel-cell vehicles. Analysts say the move is evidence that Beijing considers the industry to be mature and no longer requires the same level of financial support, leaving its development up to market forces. “It’s an official acknowledgement that electric vehicles no lo...

Amid deepening global divides and economic uncertainty, the United Nations called for stronger multilateral cooperation and sweeping reforms to global financial and governance systems, emphasising the need for a “networked, multipolar world” where equity and inclusion guide decision-making. Addressing a joint summit between the UN and Southeast Asian nations in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, Secretary-General António Guterres described the region as “a beacon of cooperation” and a vital pillar of global stability. With Timor-Leste’s accession, he said, the collective spirit of the regional organization known as ASEAN had “grown stronger,” making the bloc an essential partner in shaping “a more balanced and interlinked world.” The Association of Southeast Asian Nations...

Taiwan’s National Security Council head Joseph Wu said on Tuesday that China is more focused on expansionism than addressing its own economic and social difficulties, as he reaffirmed the island’s determination to defend itself from any Chinese aggression. Wu made the remarks during a forum in Taipei, criticising Beijing’s ruling Communist Party for intensifying military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan instead of solving domestic challenges. China claims Taiwan as its own territory, while the island’s democratically elected government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims. China’s internal purge and military display Wu pointed out that China’s leadership is holding a key plenum of senior officials this week, yet attention remains on the purge of top military officers rather ...

President Trump outlined his demands for China to avoid a 100% tariff hike next month, calling for more U.S. soybean purchases and action on fentanyl, while insisting Beijing “has to give us things” in return for easing trade tensions. Yet China’s growing economic strength has undercut Washington’s leverage: Chinese GDP rose 5.2% in the first three-quarters of 2025, and exports to non-U.S. markets surged 14.8% even as shipments to America fell. Beijing’s diversification strategy suggests it is weathering the tariff war far better than Trump may have anticipated. This weekend President Trump laid down the law on what he wants from China in order to ease restrictions in the tit-for-tat tariff war, which has been ramping up since he returned to the Oval Office. But for all the ...

Chinese GDP slowed by less than expected in the third quarter amid the boost from external demand. With China on track to hit this year's growth target, we could see less policy urgency. But weak confidence translating to soft consumption, investment, and a worsening property price downturn still needs to be addressed GDP growth slowed by less than expected in 3Q25 China's GDP grew by 4.8% year-on-year in the third quarter, slowing for a second consecutive quarter from the 5.2% growth in the second quarter. Still, the economy managed to beat expectations for a steeper decline. Through the first three quarters of the year, China's economy has grown by 5.2% YoY. By industry, China's tertiary industry drove growth in 3Q25 with a 5.4% YoY growth, comfortably outpacing growth...

When it comes to China, the EU tried gently to ‘de-risk’ without ‘de-coupling’. Donald Trump put America first and launched a full-on trade war. Until last week, the UK took an approach that looked a lot like muddling through. When it comes to China, the EU tried gently to ‘de-risk’ without ‘de-coupling’. Donald Trump put America first and launched a full-on trade war. Until last week, the UK took an approach that looked a lot like muddling through.  That luxury’s no longer available to it after the collapse of a high-profile espionage trial thrust relations with Beijing firmly into the spotlight. The UK’s public prosecutor last month dropped the case against two men accused of spying for the Chinese government, heaping pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer amid claims he shou...

China's September fiscal revenue growth picked up from August, finance ministry officials said on Friday, vowing to start issuing 2026 bonds early to give the economy an extra boost. The 2.6% increase in fiscal revenue last month quickened from 2% growth in August, despite signs the economy may be losing some momentum. For the first nine months of the year, fiscal revenue grew 0.5% year-on-year, Tang Longsheng, an official from the finance ministry, said at a press conference in Beijing. "This year, the Ministry of Finance will continue to frontload the bonds from 2026 new local government debt quota," said Li Dawei, an official from the ministry, at the same press conference. This type of advance fundraising can give spending a jumpstart heading into the new year and is a co...

Beijing created the special financing tool to turbocharge domestic innovation and help the economy ride out the trade war China’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), confirmed last month that Beijing was setting up a new “policy-based financial instrument” worth 500 billion yuan (US$70 billion). The special financing tool was first proposed in April – when trade tensions between China and the United States were rapidly escalating – to provide an extra injection of funding to accelerate domestic innovation and support the economy. It has the potential to drive trillions of yuan in lending in the coming years, analysts said. In this explainer, the Post explores what the new financing tool is, how it will be used, and why it differs fr...