Market Questions is the FT’s guide to the week ahead
Growing number of household animals amid declining human population forecast to build $12bn pet food market by 2030
Peter Hessler used his time in Sichuan as a teacher to build a more subtle understanding of a changing country
Chan Siun-kuen left rural China in the slipstream of the revolution for a rapidly urbanising Hong Kong. His herb garden restores a connection to forgotten traditions and the healing power of plants
Reductions come in wake of Communist party’s third plenum but impact likely to be moderate, warn analysts
Country’s once-voracious middle-class consumers have become more frugal
Weaker data release comes as Communist party leadership launches economic policy meeting
Development of vast Forest City complex in Johor has languished as Country Garden’s debt problems mount
Changes to company law impose new liabilities for those taking on the role
Wall Street and European groups scaled back in 2023 in ‘challenging’ environment
Overseas bondholders have discovered to their cost that they have little recourse in the Chinese system when boom turns to bust
Premier seeks to win over sceptical foreign investors despite tension over trade
Premier Li Qiang says soaring output of electric cars and lithium batteries is ‘enriching global supply’
German minister Robert Habeck welcomes the move during visit to Beijing to soothe tensions
Beijing plans first census in decade as it extends efforts to protect vulnerable species
‘Many loans in China are not efficient,’ Pan Gongsheng tells major financial forum
Property owners rush to pay down debts or refinance at lower rates in absence of other investment options
Luxury ecommerce platform’s decision comes at a time of weaker economic momentum in the mainland
Brussels’ duties heighten trade tensions with Beijing but are unlikely to stop the advance of Chinese-made electric cars
Beijing’s focus on manufacturing has fuelled trade tensions with US and Europe
Limitations on where overseas visitors can stay no longer exist yet they still risk being turned away
Xi Jinping has prioritised manufacturing growth amid property slowdown and weak domestic consumption
More practices are closing offices in China’s largest city as corporate work and M&A deals dry up
Japanese fast-fashion retailer has slowed store openings in world’s second-largest economy
