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40 Years of Reform
Looking back at how China started to look to the outside world, gradually broke away from a Soviet-style planned economy and embraced the market since 1978
How the Compass Used to Steer China’s Reforms First Took Form on a Boat in 1985
The first installment in a five-part series about the economists behind China’s reform
Commentary: Detention for ‘Defaming’ an official on Social Media — Where Is the Boundary for Punishing Speech?
Gao Guanghua's detention for a social media post was overturned. His case highlights the fragile line between slander and public speech that holds officials accountable
Analysis: Why Many Chinese University Graduates Are Going to Vocational School
A competitive job market and a desire for blue-collar skills are pushing a growing number of highly educated individuals into ‘reverse advancement,’ a trend that is challenging traditional views on academic success
Cover Story: How the Yuan is Taking Over the Dollar’s Role in Global Trade
Economists argue an offshore yuan stablecoin could offer a viable alternative to the dollar
Business Brief (Sept. 1): Xi Meets Modi, Calling for Stronger Strategic Communication
The U.S. tightens export controls on chipmakers in China, China PMIs show modest recovery
Commentary: In Henan, a Labor Mismatch Tests Beijing’s Economic Vision
Beijing wants to become a high-tech manufacturing power, but its universities are churning out unemployable graduates; a turn toward specialized vocational training, modeled on Germany’s system, is the answer
Commentary: To Fuel Its Future, China Must Open Up Services
Beijing’s service industry has grown slowly in recent years, lagging behind historical trends. Now, policymakers are focusing on institutional opening and aligning with international standards to unlock new economic momentum
Commentary: China’s ‘AI+’ Action Plan Aims for a Smart Economy
The State Council’s new road map to 2035 details a three-stage strategy to integrate artificial intelligence across science, industry, consumption, and governance
China Expands M&A Loan Policy to Support Minority Equity Deals
Shake-up of M&A loan rulebook is aimed at boosting corporate restructuring and investment.
How Ambition and Accidents Toppled the Chief of Shanghai’s State Investment Giant
The rise and fall of Shanghai’s investment king, now under investigation for corruption
Commentary: Future Opportunities in an Era of Great Upheaval
America’s power is fading as its domestic problems compound. for the rest of the world, this portends an era of instability, but also historic opportunities for those prepared to seize them
Caixin Weekly | Nationwide Rollout of the Individual Pension System
China expanded its personal pension scheme nationwide after two-year pilots, with 72.79 million accounts opened by November 2024, but only 22% contributed funds and less than 1.5% invested in public funds. New policies broaden eligible financial products (including government bonds, index funds), ease early withdrawal rules, and introduce pilot default investment services to boost engagement. Experts call for further reforms, such as enhanced tax incentives, increased product variety, and coordination between different pension pillars.
Ant Group’s Bid to Acquire Hong Kong Brokerage Faces Hurdles as Internet Platforms Remain Under Heightened Regulation
Ant Group’s attempt to acquire 50.55% of Hong Kong-listed Bright Smart Securities for HK$2.814 billion (US$360 million) has stalled, pending approvals from Chinese regulators including the NDRC and multiple financial authorities. Regulatory scrutiny focuses on compliance and illegal cross-border brokerage issues; prior attempts by Ant and other internet firms to secure brokerage licenses have also failed. Ongoing uncertainty over Ant’s acquisition and regulatory stance has led to volatile Bright Smart stock prices and limited strategic clarity for both companies.
Ant Group’s Deal for Hong Kong Broker Hits Mainland Snag
The fintech giant plans to acquire Bright Smart Securities, giving it a host of business licenses, but the deal has yet to secure any approvals from Beijing
Commentary: China’s New Law for Private Business Needs Judicial Teeth
Beijing has rolled out a major law to boost entrepreneur confidence, but its success hinges on consistent enforcement and reining in local governments that see private firms as a source of revenue
Commentary: How to Bridge China’s Rural-Urban Pension Gap
China’s rural elderly face a crisis rooted in the urban-rural divide and exacerbated by urbanization and the one-child policy. The gap between urban and rural pensions is now fourteenfold. A new, targeted policy framework is essential to avert social disaster
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