Mainland China and Taiwan sign the ECFA framework

The pilot allowed selected firms to settle cross-border trade in renminbi, reducing reliance on foreign currencies and extending China’s financial reach. Internationalization remained managed and...

The pilot introduced a basic old-age pension for rural residents, funded through public subsidy and individual contributions. It extended social protection beyond formal urban employment, but...

Local governments used financing platforms and bank credit to build infrastructure under the stimulus. This expanded local investment capacity but shifted liabilities off-budget and created...

China completed its principal scheduled tariff-reduction commitments, lowering the overall tariff level from its 2001 position. The change consolidated trade integration and competition, while leaving...

The central bank announced a return to managed flexibility after the crisis-era peg. The move responded to domestic recovery and international pressure, while retaining control over the exchange...

New annual data confirmed that China’s economy had overtaken Japan’s by nominal GDP. The milestone reflected decades of state-led investment, export manufacturing and labor mobilization, but aggregate...

The law consolidated basic pension, medical, unemployment, work-injury and maternity insurance rules. It formalized a broader social-protection framework, but portability, funding and access...

The plan proposed faster household consumption, improved social services, innovation and lower dependence on exports and investment. It acknowledged structural imbalances but left the mechanisms and...

The 2011-2015 plan formalized goals for income growth, services, urbanization and environmental limits. It continued planning as a central instrument while calling for a more consumption-oriented...

The national framework became operative, setting rules for enrollment and benefits across several insurance branches. It represented a major institutional expansion, though migrant workers and...