China's ruling Communist Party says it will focus on speeding up self-reliance in science and technology in the coming five years.

China signed an expanded version of a free trade agreement Tuesday with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with Chinese Premier Li Qiang pitching expanded economic ties with his country as an alternative to the protectionist policies of U.

The impact of President Donald Trump’s attempt to financially choke Moscow’s war machine by imposing sanctions on Russian oil firms was instant; not on the battlefield in Ukraine, but in the offices of oil traders in India and China,

China's top leaders have pledged to boost the country's self-reliance in advanced technologies and spur stronger domestic demand over the next five years.

China needs a bolder spending package to mend the finances of households and companies, according to a central bank adviser, as signs of resilience in the economy mask the damage wrought by the trade war with the US.

The ASEAN bloc of Southeast Asian nations and China on Tuesday signed an upgrade to their free trade agreement, which includes sections on digital, the green economy and other new industries, Beijing's Commerce Ministry said.

The July-September data, the weakest pace of growth since the third quarter of 2024, compares with a 5.2% pace of growth in the previous quarter, officials said.

Fixed-asset investment, which includes real estate, unexpectedly contracted 0.5% in the first nine months of the year as investment into infrastructure and manufacturing slowed.

A further increase in China’s trade surplus failed to fully offset the effects of a worsening housing market, which has left consumers wary.

As Chinese shoppers dip toes back in the luxury pool, brands are targeting economically resilient high-earners with distinctive, personalised experiences as their focus shifts more to market share than growth.