Business News
Latest business news and updates
Total: 471
Beijing’s Crackdown Tightens: Regulator Hits Private Fund Ruifengda with Hefty Fines and Lifetime Ban
China’s securities regulator has fined Zhejiang Ruifengda and linked private fund entities a combined RMB 41 million and banned its controller from market participation for life, part of a wider campaign against private fund malpractice. The move, which pairs firm‑level sanctions with personal punishment and potential criminal referrals, signals an intensified regulatory push to clean up the private fund industry and raise the cost of misconduct.
Former Star Li Yapeng Tops Douyin Charts with Rapid-Fire Livestream Sales as Charity Dispute Simmers
Li Yapeng’s January 23 livestream on Douyin drew millions of viewers and generated over ¥50 million in sales within 90 minutes, topping the platform’s commerce charts. The event came amid scrutiny over property and financial questions tied to a children’s hospital and the celebrity-backed Yanran Angel charity, provoking calls for more professional management and greater transparency.
Haidilao’s Founder Returns as Cash‑Strapped Youth Sap Growth
Haidilao’s founder Zhang Yong has returned as CEO after four years amid a sharp deterioration in traffic and profitability: first‑half 2025 revenue fell 3.7% and net profit 13.7%, with customer visits down 10 million. The chain’s high labour costs, failed expansion, and mixed results from incubated sub‑brands have left it vulnerable to increasingly price‑sensitive young consumers, forcing a management rethink on efficiency and product strategy.
Gold and Silver Surge as US Markets Split; Intel’s Weak Guidance Sends Chips Reeling
On January 23, risk assets split: US major indices finished mixed while gold and silver surged to record nominal highs and oil rallied. Intel’s disappointing guidance triggered a sharp sell-off in its shares and weighed on semiconductor sentiment, even as select big-tech names gained. Commodity strength, driven by safe-haven flows and supply concerns, prompted Goldman to lift its 2026 gold target to $5,400 an ounce.
China's 2026 Growth Playbook: Policy Push, Consumption Pivot and a Tech-Led Transition
China ended 2025 with 5% GDP growth and its economy topping RMB 140 trillion. For 2026 economists expect coordinated fiscal and targeted monetary easing to prioritise domestic demand, with consumption and services leading a structural shift toward technology-driven growth.
China’s 2026 Spending Engine: Middle‑Aged Women and the Rising Silver Economy
As China begins the 15th Five‑Year Plan, policymakers are prioritising a large lift in household consumption and shifting subsidies toward services. The heaviest spenders in 2026 are likely to be asset‑rich middle‑aged women and digitally engaged retirees, who together offer more durable, high‑value consumption than younger cohorts. Brands that invest in scientific credibility, trust‑building and community models will be best positioned to capture this demand.
Former Husband Sues China’s ‘Courier Queen’ Over 20 Million STO Shares — A Small Stake, Big Governance Questions
A former husband, and ex-deputy general manager of STO Express, has sued to claim half of a 40.57 million-share block held in the name of co-founder Chen Xiaoying, seeking about 20.28 million shares worth roughly 280 million yuan. STO says the suit concerns a private divorce-related shareholder qualification dispute and will not materially affect operations or control, but the case raises broader questions about governance in family-controlled Chinese listed companies.
Shandong Surpasses 10 Trillion RMB: A Chinese Province Now Rivals Medium‑Sized Economies
Shandong reported 2025 GDP of about 10.32 trillion RMB, roughly $1.48 trillion at current exchange rates, placing it among the world’s largest subnational economies. The milestone reflects deep industrial roots, deliberate upgrading toward high‑tech sectors, institutional reforms and an emphasis on regional coordination and green transition, but significant challenges remain in sustaining high‑quality, low‑carbon growth.
Haidilao’s Founder Returns as CEO as Customers and Profits Slide
Haidilao’s founder Zhang Yong has resumed the CEO role after a steep decline in customers and profits. The chain faces falling foot traffic, squeezed per-customer spending and costly service standards, prompting a pivot into incubated sub-brands and experiential formats that have yet to scale.
Zotye's Comeback Push: Mass Hiring Signals Ambition to Restart Car Production Amid Restructuring
Zotye Auto has launched a broad recruitment campaign for nearly 50 roles, a move tied to preparations to resume vehicle production after years of near‑hiatus following bankruptcy restructuring. Recent board changes and partial unwinding of frozen assets have improved the company’s funding outlook, but Zotye remains loss‑making and will need strategic capital and technological upgrades to mount a sustainable comeback.
XPeng’s Engineering Push: Vice‑President Leads Talks with Dong'an Power on Mass Production and Next‑Gen Engines
XPeng’s vice‑president Gu Jie led talks with Dong'an Power to advance a mass‑production project and next‑generation engine development. The meeting underscores a pragmatic shift in China’s NEV sector toward supplier partnerships and diversified powertrain options to manage cost, range and competitive pressures.
Xpeng Delegation Visits Dong'an Power as Talks on Mass Production and Next‑Gen Engines Advance
Xpeng’s vice‑president Gu Jie led a delegation to Dong'an Power to discuss moving a production project into mass manufacture and cooperating on next‑generation engine technology. The meeting, attended by senior technical and commercial leaders from Dong'an, resulted in alignment on core issues and reflects a broader trend of EV makers partnering with traditional suppliers to secure hardware options and de‑risk production.