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As the Year of the Dragon dawns, many Chinese wish for a better economy

Feb 9, 2024
Asking people in China about their Lunar New Year wishes, the talk inevitably shifts to the economy.
A vendor in Shanghai sells plush toys for the Year of the Dragon.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

China ends zero-COVID, but are consumers ready to spend?

Jan 12, 2023
Chinese officials have lifted the harshest restrictions of the zero-COVID policy, but consumers are still cautious amid surging infections.
A tourist district in Xiamen city in late December 2022 was quiet amid a surge of COVID infections.
Jennifer Pak/Marketplace

Evergrande crisis hits China's investors, homebuyers

Sep 23, 2021
The Chinese property giant Evergrande was known as a risky business operator, but for years investors didn't seem to care — until now.
Evergrande could manage its debt while real estate values climbed, but in many places sales have weakened and regulators have made it harder for developers to borrow.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

Why can't China make a good ballpoint pen?

Dec 14, 2015
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's quest to innovate the workshop of the world.

Do China's GDP numbers matter?

Oct 19, 2015
Its economy is slowing, but how fast depends on whose numbers you believe.

Chinese trade data latest indicator of sluggish growth

Sep 8, 2015
Exports were down 5.5 percent, and imports fell by 13.8 percent.

China's growing at (just) 7 percent

Apr 15, 2015
The world's fastest-growing economy is pumping the brakes.

For public good, not for profit.

Shanghai's mayor shifts focus away from GDP

Jan 26, 2015
For decades, GDP growth has been an "obsession" for China's government. No more.

Preparing for China's urban billion

Mar 12, 2014
If current trends hold, the number of people living in Chinese cities is expected to hit one billion within the next 15 years.

China's leaders promise reforms -- but can they deliver?

Nov 18, 2013
After China issued its 20,000-word reform document Friday night, the media’s focus was on proposed changes to the one-child policy. But there were a slew of ambitious economic reforms in there, too.