China Unveils 2025 Economic Blueprint: Growth, Fiscal Expansion, and Innovation at the Forefront

 

 

The third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference opened at 3:00 PM on March 4, 2025, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and will conclude on the morning of March 10 after a six-day session. During the meeting, Premier Li Qiang delivered the government work report outlining the nation’s strategic priorities, key tasks, and policy measures for 2025. 

 

 

Key highlights of the report include:

 

 

1. A Review of Economic Performance in 2024:
2. 2025 Fiscal Policy and Debt Strategy:
3. Driving Emerging Industries and Technological Innovation in 2025:
4. Sector Liberalization in 2025:
5. Real Estate and Social Welfare Initiatives in 2025:
6. Employment Opportunities and Wage Reforms in 2025:

 

 

This comprehensive roadmap underscores China’s commitment to sustainable economic growth, prudent fiscal management, and pioneering technological advancement as it navigates the challenges and opportunities ahead in 2025.

 

 

China Imposes 10–15% Tariffs on U.S. Agricultural Imports Amid Escalating Trade Tensions

 

 

China’s Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced on March 4, 2025, that tariffs ranging from 10% to 15% will be imposed on imports from the United States. This move comes in response to the U.S. government’s announcement on March 3 of an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese exports to the United States, citing concerns related to fentanyl, which took effect on Tuesday.

 

 

According to the public notice from the commission, a 15% tariff will be levied on U.S. imports of chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton starting March 10, while a 10% tariff will be applied to imports of sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products on the same day.

 

 

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated on Tuesday that China is prepared to see this through if the U.S. remains determined to wage a trade, tariff, or any other kind of economic war.

 

 

 

 

He emphasized that the additional tariffs on U.S. agricultural and food products are a direct response to Washington’s latest tariff measures. Lin urged the U.S. to engage in consultations with China on an equal, respectful, and mutually beneficial basis to address the fentanyl issue. He warned that if the U.S. pursues its ulterior motives and insists on escalating a tariff war or any other form of conflict, China will respond with firm resolve, urging the U.S. to abandon its domineering stance and return to a path of constructive dialogue and cooperation.

 

 

Mixue Ice Cream & Tea’s Debut at HKEX Rockets Over 40% as Valuation Reaches Approximately USD 14 Billion

 

 

On March 3, the world’s largest freshly prepared beverage enterprise, Mixue Ice Cream & Tea, officially rang the opening bell at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. On its debut day, the stock surged by more than 40%, making it one of the hottest new listings on the Hong Kong market this year, with a market capitalization reaching approximately USD 14 billion. As of September 2024, Mixue Ice Cream & Tea operates over 45,000 stores globally.

 

 

 

 

Mixue Ice Cream & Tea’s unique business model is built on four key pillars:

 

 

1. Supply Chain Infrastructure: Low-Cost, High-Efficiency “Industrial-Grade” Barriers The company’s core competitive strength lies in its fully integrated supply chain. It operates five self-built production bases and a nationwide warehousing and logistics network. With 60% of its beverage ingredients produced in-house and 100% self-supplied core raw materials—resulting in, for example, 2023 lemon procurement costs that were 20% lower than the industry average—Mixue Ice Cream & Tea achieves a “food industry approach” that maintains an average product price of approximately USD 0.86 while delivering a gross margin of 32.4% (data from the first nine months of 2024), far exceeding industry norms. Moreover, its cold chain logistics and digital management system ensure deliveries within 12 hours in 90% of county-level administrative regions, supporting the rapid annual expansion of over 8,000 stores.
2. Franchise Model: 99% Franchised By rigorously controlling franchise quality—with an approval rate of less than 5%—Mixue Ice Cream & Tea has built an extensive global network of 45,000 stores, of which 99% are franchised.
3. Super IP “Snow King”: Low-Cost Marketing and Cultural Icon Creation At the heart of its branding strategy is the “Snow King” IP, which personifies and rejuvenates the brand’s image. In 2021, the viral hit “Mixue Ice Cream & Tea Sweetness” amassed over 9.7 billion views online, while overseas TikTok topics garnered 2.6 billion exposures. Through animations, co-branded merchandise, and other creative initiatives, “Snow King” not only serves as an emotional connection with consumers but also achieves broad market coverage—from first-tier cities to Southeast Asia—with an advertising expenditure of only 0.9%.
4. Global Expansion: Modular Supply Chain and Localization Leveraging Southeast Asia as a springboard, Mixue Ice Cream & Tea has implemented a “Glocalization” strategy to establish 4,800 overseas stores. For example, in Vietnam, store locations have been strategically chosen based on local motorbike usage patterns, while in Indonesia, localized products have been launched. Plans are also underway to build a multifunctional supply chain center in Southeast Asia.

 

 

 

 

Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison Executes $22.8 Billion Port Divestiture, Paving the Way for Strategic Reinvention

 

 

Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison has secured a landmark deal with BlackRock and Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) to divest 80% of its expansive ports division for $22.8 billion. This record-breaking transaction encompasses 43 ports featuring 199 berths across 23 countries.

 

 

Celebrated for his investment acumen—often dubbed “Superman”—Li Ka-shing has built a diversified conglomerate spanning real estate, telecommunications, and infrastructure. Ports have long been a cornerstone of his portfolio, but this strategic move signals a deliberate pivot toward high-growth sectors such as technology and healthcare.

 

 

 

 

The sale comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China, with critical infrastructure and trade routes emerging as key battlegrounds in global economic strategy. By transferring control of its port assets to a U.S.-backed consortium, Li has not only mitigated potential geopolitical risks but also bolstered his financial resilience.

 

 

Notably, the deal excludes any interests in the HPH Trust—which operates ports in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and South China—as well as other Chinese port assets. Meanwhile, PSA International, the world’s largest terminal operator, retains a 20% stake in CK Hutchison—a holding acquired in 2006 for $4.4 billion and one that has been on the divestiture radar in recent years.

 

 

This transaction underscores the shifting dynamics of global trade and investment, where private equity and institutional investors are increasingly taking the helm of critical infrastructure. With BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners division and MSC’s Terminal Investment Limited (TiL) at the forefront, the deal reflects a broader realignment of capital flows from Chinese firms to Western investment giants.

 

 

Armed with robust cash reserves post-sale, CK Hutchison is now well-positioned to redeploy capital into emerging ventures. Analysts anticipate that the company will accelerate investments in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology—sectors poised for significant long-term growth.

 

 

Whether this represents Li Ka-shing’s final major deal or the beginning of another transformative chapter, his enduring influence on global markets remains indisputable.

 

 

Beijing E-Town to Host 2025 Human-Robot Half Marathon, Pioneering New Frontiers in Innovation

 

 

The Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (Beijing E-Town) is set to host the 2025 Human-Robot and Half Marathon on April 13 at 7:30 AM—a groundbreaking event where human runners and humanoid robots will compete side by side on a 21.0975-kilometer course.

 

 

 

 

Participant registration began at 10:00 AM on March 5 and will remain open until 5:00 PM on March 11 via the Maramara App. Eligible robots must display a humanoid appearance and be capable of bipedal walking or running, as wheeled designs are not permitted. Both manual remote control (including semi-autonomous operation) and fully autonomous modes are acceptable, provided all entrants adhere to strict safety standards to protect competitors, bystanders, and the integrity of the race course.

 

 

The competition rewards the top three finishers with cash prizes of CNY 5,000, CNY 4,000, and CNY 3,000, respectively, along with additional awards for completion, best endurance, most popular, best gait, and most creative design. Beyond the competitive accolades, organizers have introduced substantial incentives to foster technological innovation and R&D, aiming to celebrate the pioneering achievements of humanoid robot development teams.