China Insights Series

Turn News Into Insights

There’s a lot of buzz over China news, but significantly less understanding of the drivers behind China’s political economy. We’re here to bridge that gap.

At TCG we strive to ‘turn news into insight,’ which helps cut through the noise for rookies and experts, alike. Our team of China Watchers from across the globe weigh in on issues that impact critical business and investment decisions in the Chinese market. If we’ve piqued your interest, then don’t be shy and read on, below!

View the Bigger Picture

Cut through the noise on China’s business landscape with TCG’s China Insights

China Insight Articles

What To Know About China’s Smart Cities and How They Use AI, 5G, and IoT

China is massively invested in the digital transformation of its cities. With the nation's top-down approach towards urban development, it has been able to efficiently rally its industries and resources to support its national goal of developing smart cities. By use of public-private partnerships and the promotion of targeted technological innovation, China has developed smart city infrastructure that has already been applied to many of its major metropolises and their industries.

5 Trends To Watch in Chinese E-Commerce Livestreaming in 2021

China’s e-commerce livestreaming industry reached a value of over US$165 million in 2020. As more firms turn to livestreamers, the market has become overcrowded and ROI has been slipping. To remain competitive, brands must be alert of the latest developments. This article points out the top five trends that market players should know if they want to maximize their investment in China’s e-commerce livestreaming in 2021 and beyond.

Cloud Village & Tencent Square Off in China’s Music Streaming Market

Chinese tech giant NetEase Inc. announced a spin-off of Cloud Village, its mobile music streaming service subsidiary, in late May. With a cult-like community that boasts strong user engagement and its unique Music Talent Initiative, Cloud Village stands out among digital music platforms. The company's IPO proposal comes amid a crackdown on Tencent, the champion of China's music streaming market, which offers a potential inroad to Cloud Village's future growth.

Weighing the Opportunities & Risks Within China’s Biopharmaceutical Industry

China’s biopharmaceuticals is an often overlooked yet quickly growing industry. In recent years, various regulatory reforms have transformed the industry, nurturing it into a global competitor. Many foreign investors are interested in taking advantage of the local industry’s streamlined product registration process and robust development incentives. However, there are still risks that investors should remain cognizant of when planning their entrance strategy into the Chinese biopharmaceutical market.

Why China Has a Love-Hate Relationship with Cryptocurrency

China has a love-hate relationship with crypto. It loves the technology but hates the illicit activity. While blockchain will play a vital role as a strategic technology highlighted in national development goals, its ties to cryptocurrency challenge industry development. This has led to harsher regulation of the cryptocurrency space in the hopes that, by separating cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, policymakers can hasten the maturity of the blockchain industry without fear of the social or financial instability associated with crypto.

Can the Three-Child Policy Fix China’s Future Labor Shortage?

Key industries such as construction and manufacturing have been pinpointed as weak links in the future Chinese economy. With an imminent aging population crisis on the horizon, Beijing has unveiled a new three-child policy that supersedes the current two-child policy. The question remains, 'can the three-child policy really fix this issue or are policymakers too little too late?'

Chinese Universities Chip In To Narrow Semiconductor Talent Gap

Semiconductor chips are at the crux of the US-China technology competition, and export controls from the ongoing trade war have impeded China’s semiconductor ambitions. Among other measures, China has been establishing integrated circuit schools, microelectronic colleges, and related programs to train qualified candidates for the semiconductor industry, all of which are backed by national domestic policy efforts. However, the efficacy of these initiatives to meaningfully contribute to China's long-term self-sufficiency efforts is yet to be proven.

The Rise of China’s Customer Service Robots

It’s no more the Great Leap Forward, but instead the “Robotic Leap Forward.” Automation at the industrial level is now expanding to the consumer level in China, and Beijing is looking to use investment in customer service robots as part of its push to market the nation as a global leader in technology and innovation.

The Fickle War Against China’s Credit Boom

Easy access to credit, a key pillar of China’s recovery, has helped lift the economy from the pits of the pandemic; however, cracks are beginning to show. Policymakers are now shifting their gaze towards systemic issues that could hinder the economy’s long-term recovery - and an unprecedented domestic credit boom is at the top of the list. Yet, as new monetary policy takes hold, many wonder if Beijing has introduced the very economic instability that it sought to avoid.

Starbucks and Luckin: Crafting a Coffee Culture in China

Both Starbucks and Luckin’s market strategies have taken China by storm. It can perhaps be most aptly said that Starbucks preferred to focus on cultural values while Luckin capitalized on societal trends. Regardless, both chains have defined their niche within the Chinese consumer lifestyle and are evidence that, so long as Chinese market strategies are culturally aware and data-driven, there is more than one road to success in the Chinese market.
All articles loaded
No more articles to load
Scroll to Top