TOKYO — When Donald Trump was elected U.S. president for a second time, most observers expected a trade war to erupt in 2025, particularly between Washington and Beijing. The year lived up to its billing, with plenty of twists and turns before the dueling superpowers firmed up at least a temporary truce in late October.
China ended the year with many of the same questions it faced at the start: how to deal with tariffs, stabilize an ever-deepening property downturn, shore up weak consumer confidence and keep exports flowing despite trade tensions not only with the U.S. but also Europe and others.
The world’s No. 2 economy benefited from growing brand power and technological sophistication on one hand, but experienced brutal competition that drove deflation on the other.
Chinese brand clout was on display in Hong Kong, where mainland companies made their presence felt, from bubble tea and restaurant chains to purveyors of sportswear, cars and gold. This shift in the consumer market coincided with China’s growing political control over the former British colony, ever since Beijing imposed a strict National Security Law in mid-2020.
December brought the conviction of pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai on charges of collusion with foreign forces and sedition, a verdict that was heavily criticized internationally. Hong Kong politics were also rocked late in the year by a deadly fire at a high-rise apartment complex, which prompted calls for accountability and spurred the government to launch a judge-led probe.
Tensions surrounding Taiwan and Beijing’s claim to it, meanwhile, continued to loom over the region, including a spat between Japan and China. In Taipei itself, political battles raged as President Lai Ching-te pushed to increase defense spending as demanded by the Trump administration, while a new leader of the Beijing-friendly opposition Kuomintang openly questioned that initiative.
Our most popular stories from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan in 2025 included:
- China strikes back at U.S. as Trump tariff policy kicks in
- BYD’s 5-minute charging breakthrough jolts EV market
- China’s formidable logistics sector challenges Trump tariff enforcers
- Auto industry’s China-driven evolution validates Warren Buffett’s wariness
- Chinese consumer brands surge in Southeast Asia, challenge legacy names
- Hong Kong retail gets mainland makeover as Chinese brands move in
- China showcases military muscle as Xi hosts Putin and Kim at parade
- Trump cuts China fentanyl tariff to 10% as Xi delays rare-earth controls
- Taiwan defense buildup can’t ensure security: New KMT boss Cheng Li-wun
- Hong Kong apartment fire death toll rises as police allege negligence
- Hong Kong mogul Jimmy Lai convicted in landmark national security case
- China revs up global sales push despite Trump’s trade war
Take a look back with our most read stories of the year here.

















