A local financial time bomb

Pharmaceuticals - a healthy course

China's pharmaceutical industry is set to benefit from recent healthcare reform spending, as well as government support for the development of the traditional Chinese medicine sector.

Sinovac and swine flu

The developer and provider of vaccines is benefiting from orders from the Ministry of Health to supply its swine flu and hepatitis A products to high-risk groups.

Sinopharm - a new contender

China's largest pharmaceutical distributor and importer awaits the green light to list in Hong Kong.

Simcere – not immune

The developer of drugs for cancer and infectious diseases has been disappointing investors since late last year.

Tongrentang – TCM bellwether

The world's largest producer of traditional Chinese medicine is capitalising on its long history to boost sales at home and abroad.

Iron and awe

One minute Beijing warns of commercial espionage by Australia's Rio Tinto, the next it signs the biggest trade deal to date with the country. Where do China's true sympathies lie?

Insurance - a structural play

After a steady performance in 1H, a number of factors augur well for 2H and further into the future.

Ping An - not so tranquil

Sacrificing profit margins to expand market share has hurt 1H performance.

China Life - in the balance

The insurance behemoth looks to be opting for short-term revenue declines to achieve longer-term stability.

China zeal wavers

China sentiment wavered last week as funds reduced their exposure to the country's equities and investors withdrew from China-related funds. Financial stocks look to have fared the worst.

Wobbling on the liquidity high wire

With Shanghai's stock rally faltering this week, the fragility of the market's psychology has been laid bare.

Developers defy doomsayers

Slowing construction starts add fuel to the doomsayers argument that the real estate 'bubble' is bursting, but developers remain upbeat.

Bright prospects

Mark Mobius, executive chairman of Templeton Asset Management, on the long-term promise of China's economy.

Inflation, inflation, inflation

Recent CPI and PPI data show no signs of inflation, but how long until the trend reverses?

Sovereign wealth

China Investment Corporation recently reported its financial results for the first time, noting net profits of $23.1bn in 2008, despite a poor performance overseas.