Despite escalating trade tensions between the United States and China, Chinese e-commerce apps like Taobao and DHgate have experienced a remarkable surge in global popularity. This trend underscores the complex interplay between consumer behaviour, social media influence, and international trade policies. In April 2025, Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao, operated by Alibaba, catapulted from 47th to 5th place among free apps on the US Apple App Store. Similarly, DHgate, a platform …
China’s instant VAT refund policy for foreign tourists is a strategic move to invigorate the country’s tourism and retail sectors Effective since 8 April 2025, China’s instant VAT refund initiative allows eligible international visitors to receive VAT refunds directly at the point of purchase, as opposed to claiming refunds upon departure. The policy, which was piloted in major tourist destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, has now been expanded across …
Experts say the green sovereign bonds will attract international investment in China’s green transition, bringing private funding and boosting international climate cooperation, writes Jiang Mengnan for Dialogue Earth On 2 April, China’s Ministry of Finance debuted its first ever green sovereign bonds on the London Stock Exchange. The money raised will go towards projects in China in sectors such as clean transportation, marine conservation and recycling. The event makes China …
Business travel to China can be an exciting opportunity, but preparation is key – especially when it comes to visas, connectivity, payments, and transport. To help you navigate your trip smoothly, here’s a quick, practical guide covering the must-know tech and logistics tips for business travellers. Secure the right visa in advance Obtaining a visa for China requires careful preparation, as the process varies depending on the purpose of travel. …
Getting a visa for China is a crucial step for UK business professionals planning to engage with China’s dynamic market. This guide provides an overview of who requires a visa, outlines the application process, highlights visa-free policies, and offers essential tips to ensure a smooth journey. Who needs a visa for China? UK citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to mainland China. This requirement applies to various purposes, including …
The global marketplace is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the rise of Chinese brands and their increasing influence on international consumers. In 2025, the relationship between global and Chinese brands is evolving at an unprecedented pace, marked by deepening collaborations, bold global expansions, and innovative cultural storytelling. A new report by TONG Global and the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) explores these dynamics, offering insights into how brands can navigate …
In January 2025, the emergence of Chinese AI DeepSeek shook the global tech landscape and caused many US tech stocks to plummet, with US President Donald Trump dubbing it a “wakeup call” for US tech companies Founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng and headquartered in Hangzhou, DeepSeek specialises in developing open-source large language models (LLMs) – advanced AI models trained on vast amounts of data to understand and generate everything …
CNOOC Petroleum Europe Ltd, The Weir Group and Cashmaster International were amongst the winners at the 2025 China-Scotland Business Awards The Awards were announced and presented at the Chinese Burns Supper held by the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) in Glasgow on 30 January 2025, with over 270 guests in attendance. Businesses were shortlisted across six different categories: Chinese Corporate of the Year, Educational Partnership of the Year, Scottish Corporate in …
Also referred to as the Spring Festival travel rush, chunyun is the world’s largest annual human migration Chunyun (literally “Spring transport”) refers to the 40-day peak travel period around Spring Festival (aka Lunar New Year), which this year falls on 29 January. Millions of people take advantage of the extended time off from work and study to travel back to their home regions and spend the important festival with family. …
The eyes of the world are on Donald Trump as he begins his second term as President of the United States, including in China’s. The multifaceted and increasingly tense US-China relationship will be a challenge for Trump, and the next four years will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of both countries on the global stage. From evolving trade policies to technological decoupling, this article gives a brief overview of what we …