economy

Two very different British brands – tea specialist Taylors of Harrogate and luxury fragrance house Boadicea the Victorious – are showing how thoughtful, cautious market development, grounded in digital engagement and brand-building, is a recipe for success in China’s fast-evolving market For many British brands, China presents both an enormous opportunity and a unique set of challenges. With a growing middle class, an appetite for niche and premium products, and …

The lifting of tariffs marks a potential turning point for British brands in China, but understanding local sentiment, policy shifts, and the role of soft power is more important than ever China’s decision to reduce or remove some retaliatory tariffs has encouraged a cautious optimism among British businesses. Yet while the trade climate appears to be improving, brands entering or re-entering the Chinese market are faced with the more complex …

China’s population is shrinking, creating challenges and opportunities for its economy and British businesses In 2022, China’s population fell for the first time in six decades, dropping from 1.4126 billion to 1.4118 billion, a decline of 850,000. This trend has accelerated, with losses of 2.08 million in 2023 and 1.39 million in 2024, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics. The United Nations projects a further decline of 204 million …

The China-Britain Business Council’s latest Trade Tracker reveals steady growth in UK-China trade, with goods exports rising to £21.1 billion in 2024, showcasing the enduring strength of British businesses across regions In its eleventh edition, the CBBC Trade Tracker, released in June 2025, paints an optimistic picture of UK-China trade relations, underscoring the resilience and dynamic nature of this vital economic partnership. In 2024, a year marked by global economic …

China’s economic reforms have opened new doors for foreign investors, but restrictions remain in key sectors. Understanding the 2024 Negative List and regulatory nuances is crucial for British businesses eyeing the world’s second-largest market. China’s economic allure, with a projected GDP growth of around 5% for 2025, continues to draw global investors, including British firms seeking to tap its vast consumer base and innovation-driven markets. However, the country’s foreign investment …

China’s markets have continued a multi-year slide in recent days, prompting China’s securities regulator to introduce new measures and even change its senior leadership. On Monday, 5 February, China’s blue-chip CSI 300 Index fell by close to 5%, hitting its lowest level since 2019. Confidence in the market has waned amid an economic turndown, driven by issues such as a debt-ridden property industry. The latest fall came on a day …

So just what is the current state of the Chinese economy? Kenrick Davis, CBBC’s London based Senior China Policy Analyst, takes a more detailed look at the numbers shaping the country in 2023, and asks just how bad the situation is… The takes on China’s economy from media and analysts in 2023 comes across like a Dickens reading list: there have been Great Expectations, ample descriptions of Hard Times, and …

In recent weeks, a string of business developments in China have stoked fears that contagion could lead to a chain of defaults and perhaps even stoke a marked growth slowdown in China with global repercussions On Thursday, 10 August, Country Garden, one of the few major developers in China to avoid bankruptcy in recent years, issued a profit warning. The next day, its shares fell to record lows, affecting the …

The Chinese government has released new guidelines for the free movement of people, vehicles and data in China designed to speed up the country’s economic recovery Although China’s post-Covid economic recovery has been remarkable, recent figures have fallen short of expectations. The country’s economy is experiencing deflation for the first time since early 2021. The consumer price index fell 0.3% year-on-year in July, while the producer price index dropped 4.4%. …

According to government figures released this week, China’s economy expanded 6.3% year-on-year in Q2, falling short of the consensus forecast of 7.3%, writes Tom Simpson While growth of 6.3% may appear strong, Q2 of 2022 saw China’s economy expand by 0.4% as the country experienced severe disruption from its zero Covid policy – so Q2 of 2023 was always expected to be a higher-than-average number. Seasonally adjusted quarter-on-quarter growth saw …