Beijing
Deflation and tariff-hit China sets lowest growth target on record at 4.5% to 5%
Xi Jinping, China’s president, center, attends the opening session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Qilai Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images China on Thursday set its GDP growth target for 2026 at 4.5% to 5% — the lowest […]
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China to reportedly boost defense spending by 7%, slowest pace since 2021
Key Points China reportedly plans to raise defense spending by 7% this year, the slowest increase since 2021. China kicks off an 8-day parliamentary meeting Thursday. Beijing ranks second to the U.S. in military spending. Source
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CNBC’s China Connection newsletter: New AI players think global from day one
This report is from this week’s CNBC’s The China Connection newsletter, which brings you insights and analysis on what’s driving the world’s second-largest economy. You can subscribe here. The big story Nvidia’s latest warning is that Chinese rivals are going to disrupt the world. It’s not just in chips. More often than not, the chatter among […]
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China is set to kick off its big policy meeting. What will be the key announcements?
Key Points Beijing is expected to set GDP growth target at around 4.5% to 5% this year, inflation target unchanged at 2%, budget deficit of 4%. The world’s second-largest economy faces persistent challenges at home amid a consumption downturn and prolonged real estate slump. Source
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Why Iran should not count on allies Russia and China to come to its aid
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (C) welcomes Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov (L) and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazeem Gharibabadi before a meeting regarding the Iranian nuclear issue at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on March 14, 2025. – | Afp | Getty Images As U.S. and Israeli strikes entered their third day, […]
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Khamenei’s death raises questions about Trump’s China trip
Key Points U.S. strikes on Iran raised doubts about Trump’s planned visit to China. Prediction markets showed increased bets on a greater likelihood of a delayed Trump trip. Analysts said trade talks may outweigh geopolitical tensions for both sides. Source
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Iran may ‘lash out harder’ as Khamenei’s death puts Tehran on a war footing, leaving the world bracing for what’s next
TOPSHOT – A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) Afp | Getty Images The escalating conflict in the Middle East is fueling fears that Washington’s pursuit of regime change in Iran, and Tehran’s retaliation, could destabilize regions from the Gulf to […]
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Nvidia still hasn’t sold its U.S.-approved China AI chips — and it’s worried local AI rivals could take over
Key Points Nvidia said it has yet to generate any revenue from chip sales to China. Chip sales have come under scrutiny from both Washington and Beijing amid a tech race. Chinese AI firms gained ground through IPOs and lower-cost tech. Source
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China holiday spending sends a strong signal on consumer stimulus plans
People watch performances to welcome the ‘God of Wealth’ during Lunar New Year festivities at Qianmen Street in Beijing, China, on February 21, 2026. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images BEIJING — China’s consumer market is recovering — just enough that policymakers likely won’t need to roll out the large-scale stimulus that investors have long […]
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CNBC’s The China Connection newsletter: What’s at stake in the countdown to the Trump-Xi meeting
This report is from this week’s CNBC’s The China Connection newsletter, which brings you insights and analysis on what’s driving the world’s second-largest economy. You can subscribe here. The big story As street traffic returns in Beijing after a nine-day holiday, there’s little time for businesses to breathe, ahead of a critical few weeks for U.S.-China […]
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