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Brief Consumer Economics & Policy Law & Regulation

China turns to services to offset weak consumer demand

Beijing is planning to introduce new measures to promote the consumption of services, betting that elderly care, healthcare and leisure can offset tepid demand for goods, reports Reuters, citing an unnamed policy advisor. Analysts say the plan’s success hinges on elevating household incomes and social welfare. Beijing views labor-intensive services as a key to reorienting its economy […]

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Consumer Law & Regulation Politics & Society Takeaway Tech, Media & Telecom

No subsidies no sales

China’s smartphone market contracted in 2025, as government subsidies which were propping the sector up dissipated in the second half of the year. Global Times reported in May that the subsidies—which were rolled out in January—accounted for 50 million units sold, seeing a year-on-year increase of 25.4% for the first four months of 2025. However, Caixin reports that through […]

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Brief Law & Regulation Transport & Logistics

China’s C919 airliner undergoes EU safety tests

European aviation evaluators have begun test flights of China’s home-grown C919 airliner in Shanghai, reports the South China Morning Post. The manufacturer of the narrowbody jet seeks to secure Western safety certification, a crucial step towards global adoption and being able to compete with industry leaders Boeing and Airbus. Two test pilots from the European Union Aviation Safety […]

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Brief Economics & Policy Law & Regulation Politics & Society Tech, Media & Telecom

China targets influencers with audits amid domestic slump

China has ramped up audits involving online influencers and high-wage earners, reports the South China Morning Post. The move looks to recover billions in unpaid levies amid slumping land sales and value-added tax revenue decline. As China’s digital infrastructure matures, top-tier influencers are leveraging massive audience engagement to generate premium earnings. Consequently, they have become a […]

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Brief Law & Regulation Travel & Leisure

Beijing launches antitrust investigation into Trip.com

China has opened an antitrust investigation into Trip.com, the country’s largest online travel services provider, reports the South China Morning Post. The moves comes just weeks before hundreds of millions of people on the mainland go away on holiday during the Lunar New Year break. The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on Wednesday said the group–operator of namesake platform Trip.com, Skyscanner, Ctrip, […]