China's new efforts for birth rates: Subsidies, services, social shifts

Faced with the twin demographic challenges of a low fertility rate and a graying population, China is spearheading systemic policy innovations and people-oriented practices to bolster birth rates, boost consumption and drive sustainable socioeconomic growth in the coming decades and beyond.

This strategic emphasis on encouraging childbirth was underscored earlier this month during China's national "two sessions," where the term "provide childcare subsidies" was included for the first time in the annual government work report.

Read more: China's new efforts for birth rates: Subsidies, services, social shifts

China will remove hukou-based marriage registration restrictions nationwide

China will soon offer nationwide access to its cross-regional marriage registration service, following a recent revision of the regulations governing marriage registration, the Ministry of Civil Affairs said on Saturday.

Under the new rules, couples will no longer need to register marriages in the location of their hukou, which is permanent household registration. Instead, they will be able to choose a registry office in the habitual residence of either party, removing a significant logistical barrier.

Read more: China will remove hukou-based marriage registration restrictions nationwide

Digital cat promotes eco-friendly items Sichuan China

Visitor interacts with an AI-powered digital cat at a newly opened shop in Zhuyi village, Chongzhou, Sichuan province, on March 15, 2025. 

A digital cat in a village in Chongzhou, Sichuan province, has become a local star promoter since it started working just over a week ago.

Named Meow Buddy, the AI-powered agent resides in a 3D holographic pod at a newly opened shop in Zhuyi village in Daoming township.

Read more: Digital cat promotes eco-friendly items Sichuan China

2025 Huawei launches latest foldable phone with unusual design

Yu Chengdong, chairman of Huawei's device business group, unveils its latest foldable smartphone Pura X in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on March 20. 

Huawei Technologies Co unveiled on Thursday its latest foldable smartphone Pura X, which is the first to run its proprietary operating system HarmonyOS 5, as the Chinese tech company steps up push to revive its smartphone business.

Read more: 2025 Huawei launches latest foldable phone with unusual design

Chery Revives the Legend: Electric QQ Aims to Reclaim Glory in the EV Era

Chery QQ Spyshot 2025

Chery, a trailblazer in China’s automotive industry, has reignited nostalgia with the revival of its iconic QQ model—this time as a fully electric vehicle. The new electric QQ, set to debut at the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, represents a bold fusion of retro charm and modern innovation, signaling Chery’s ambition to reclaim its foothold in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) market28.

Read more: Chery Revives the Legend: Electric QQ Aims to Reclaim Glory in the EV Era

Cargo drone TP1000 undergoes debut test in Qingdao

A large, unmanned cargo plane developed by Yitong UAV System made its debut flight on Saturday in Qingdao, Shandong province.

A prototype of the TP1000 drone took off and then landed at Laixi Dianbu Airport in Qingdao, spending 26 minutes in the air to check the model's flight stability, maneuverability and power systems. The test results were satisfactory, testifying to the reliability of designs, the company said in a news release.

Read more: Cargo drone TP1000 undergoes debut test in Qingdao

Sandwich giant Subway plans to expand 350 to 400 stores per year in China over the next 3 year

Global sandwich giant Subway has rolled out a comprehensive expansion strategy for the Chinese market, targeting 300 to 500 new stores annually over the next five to 10 years as part of its brand revitalization.

The plan was announced on Friday at a high-level meeting in Yangpu district, Shanghai.

Read more: Sandwich giant Subway plans to expand 350 to 400 stores per year in China over the next 3 year

Yadea expands production in Tianjin

Yadea E10 with Bluetooth Lock

Chinese electric motorcycle maker Yadea Technology Group has further expanded its production line in Tianjin, to support its ambitious "go global" plan of exporting its new energy vehicles to more overseas markets, a senior executive of the company said.

The Wuxi, Jiangsu province-based company completed expanding and started operations of the second phase of its production line in Tianjin in November.

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China plans to boost consumption

China's latest push to boost consumption — a top priority on the country's policy agenda for the year ahead — is expected to shore up consumer confidence, unleash domestic demand potential and inject strong momentum into high-quality economic growth, said government officials and experts.

Their comments came as the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, China's Cabinet, issued a special action plan on Sunday to vigorously boost consumption, stimulate domestic demand across the board and increase purchasing power by raising salaries and strengthening employment support.

Read more: China plans to boost consumption

Are Chinese carmakers Dongfeng and Changan about to merge?

Chinese automakers Dongfeng Automobile and Changan Automobile announced on Sunday night restructuring plans of their controlling shareholders, both of which are centrally administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Dongfeng Automobile said in a filing that its indirect controlling shareholder Dongfeng Motor Corp is planning a restructuring with other central SOEs, which could result in a change in its indirect controlling shareholder, without affecting its actual controller.

Read more: Are Chinese carmakers Dongfeng and Changan about to merge?

China sees surging culture, tourism market during 2025 Spring Festival holiday

China witnessed a remarkable surge in its culture and tourism market during the eight-day Spring Festival holiday, which ended on Tuesday, with several market segments climbing to all-time highs.

The Spring Festival, traditionally a peak and lucrative period for cinemas, saw record box office revenue and audience turnout highs this year, according to the China Film Administration on Wednesday.

Read more: China sees surging culture, tourism market during 2025 Spring Festival holiday

China’s 2025 Antitrust Probe into Google

In early February 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR, China's top market regulator) announced an antitrust investigation into Google, marking the latest escalation in the U.S.-China trade and technology rivalry. The probe, initiated amid retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, underscores China’s strategic use of regulatory tools to counterbalance geopolitical pressures. This report synthesizes media coverage of the probe, Google’s historical tensions with China, and the broader implications for global tech competition.

Read more: China’s 2025 Antitrust Probe into Google