Hong Kong's party’s over as developers forced to slash flat prices

Declining transaction numbers indicate even mainlanders are balking at record valuations

China’s Elite Have New International Outlook

“Almost all of the elements are in place for an uprising like we saw in 1989 – corruption is worse today than it was then, people feel they can’t get ahead without political connections, the wealth gap is much bigger and growing and there has been virtually no political reform at all. The only missing ingredient now is a domestic economic crisis.”

Foreign vineyards keen to tap China wine market

As growth slows in their traditional markets, wine makers from around the world are eager to tap demand in China but industry players say the increased competition and a lack of wine drinking culture mean it won't be easy money.

Beijing pressed to open up on grain stockpiles

Just how much of the mainland’s harvests sits in government depots has long been a secret. But as food prices rise, many say now is the time for transparency

Research funding misused

Scientific research funding has become a major source of income for mainland academics, with as little as 40 per cent of the money being spent on research, mainland media say.

Diners warned on toilet-roll napkins

Cheap recycled napkins used by small restaurants in some mainland cities contain carcinogenic whitener

Bad loan rate adds to woes in Wenzhou

First rise in 10 years underscores the difficulty city’s business owners are having finding capital as they wrestle with rising costs and weak external demand

30pc off flats in mainland price war

With developers weighed down by unsold units and Beijing pushing ahead with tightening measures, analysts predict big reductions across the mainland

Chirps and Cheers: China’s Crickets Clash

The Privileges of China’s Elite Include Purified Air

Membership in the upper ranks of the Chinese Communist Party has always had a few undeniable advantages. There are the state-supplied luxury sedans, special schools for the young ones and even organic produce grown on well-guarded, government-run farms. When they fall ill, senior leaders can check into 301 Military Hospital, long considered the capital’s premier medical institution.

China needs property tax to get out of bind

High prices cause anger, while stop-gap actions create new problems

House prices could fall by 45pc

Slowing economy makes for grim reading as Barclays report sketches out likely scenarios for Hong Kong market under both ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ landings

Price war starts on mainland

Buyers flock back to market as major players knock a third off properties in bid to clear books, with experts predicting half-price bargains next year

Super-rich want to leave the mainland

Half those with assets of more than 10 million yuan are considering emigration, survey finds