China

China Daily | English | News | Jan. 22, 2026 | UndeterminedBizdev-Partnering

H World Group, a Shanghai-based hospitality company operating over 12,700 hotels in 20 countries, is accelerating its global expansion with Southeast Asia as a central focus. The company is employing an asset-light model emphasizing standardized operations and scalable growth through franchise and management contracts, a strategy proven in China. Its first overseas Hanting Hotel opened in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in December, reflecting this approach.

The company has established Singapore as its regional management hub and is expanding into neighboring countries, targeting emerging markets driven by rapid urbanization and economic growth. Upcoming projects include openings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a Maxx Hotel in Pattaya, Thailand, and four projects in Laos. In 2025, H World signed a contract to open a Steigenberger Hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, marking the luxury brand's first presence there and highlighting the group's multi-brand expansion strategy.

Since its initial overseas opening in Singapore in 2019, H World has built a broad local and international guest base, supported by a rebound in cross-border travel. Domestic hotels recorded a 60 percent increase in room nights from overseas visitors during the recent New Year holiday. The company’s success is linked to stronger inbound tourism and the expansion of Chinese hotel brands internationally, contributing to growth in China’s trade in services.

H World’s loyalty program had surpassed 300 million members by late 2025, and the company collaborates with partners like Bank of China, Juneyao Air, and Didi to provide cross-brand service packages. With more than 30 hotel and serviced apartment brands currently managed in China, the group aims to operate 20,000 properties in around 2,000 cities and counties by 2030. To maintain competitiveness, H World plans to increase AI usage in its hotels, including robotic deliveries and personalized guest services.

Yicai Global | English | News | Jan. 22, 2026 | UndeterminedEconomic Growth

In 2025, China’s household deposits grew nearly 10 percent year on year, reaching CNY167 trillion (USD23.96 trillion) and lifting per capita savings to around CNY118,900 (USD17,060). This rise occurred despite a contraction in household borrowing, particularly in short-term loans. The data, released by the People’s Bank of China and provincial authorities, indicates a strong preference for saving amid economic uncertainty.

Provincial figures reflect similar patterns. Guangdong province recorded total deposits of CNY38.7 trillion (USD5.55 trillion), with household deposits increasing 9.3 percent to CNY15.12 trillion, and per capita savings at CNY118,300. In Zhejiang province, total deposits grew 7.3 percent to CNY24.63 trillion, while household deposits rose nearly 10 percent to CNY11.85 trillion, with per capita savings reaching CNY177,700.

On the lending front, both Guangdong and Zhejiang experienced divergence between household and corporate credit. Household loans declined slightly year on year, especially short-term consumer and operating loans, reflecting ongoing deleveraging and lack of recovery in consumption and home buying confidence. Conversely, corporate loans showed strong growth, supported by improved China-US trade relations and policy-driven financial tools, with increased bank lending driving the expansion of both short-term and medium- to long-term corporate credit.

China Daily | English | News | Jan. 22, 2026 | UndeterminedBudgets-Budgeting

Chinese authorities have introduced stringent regulations requiring privately run nursing homes to deposit all prepaid elderly care fees into a single, dedicated custodial bank account. This system, mandated by the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the National Financial Regulatory Administration, aims to prevent fund misappropriation by enforcing account isolation, quota control, and purpose review. Custodian banks must refuse suspicious transactions, alert regulators immediately, and process refunds within one day of a valid request. Online transactions are prohibited, and all dealings must occur over the counter or via a dedicated platform, ensuring real-time monitoring and greater financial transparency.

The regulations respond to the rapid expansion of China's elderly care market, driven by the aging population projected to reach 400 million people aged 60 and above by 2035. As of the end of 2025, China had 41,700 elderly care institutions employing 722,000 people, with private sector entities dominating the market by providing over half of institutional care and the majority of in-home services. The prepaid fee model, common in private nursing homes, has been linked to financial risks, illegal fundraising, and challenges in refunding seniors, leading to repeated incidents of malpractice and fraud.

Industry experts emphasize that the new rules will help secure seniors' life savings and foster trust in the elderly care system. Legal advisors warn families to exercise due diligence by scrutinizing contracts, verifying qualifications, and demanding clear written liabilities for prepaid fees. High-return promises and discounts should be treated as risky if not contractually guaranteed. The new custodianship system is designed to eliminate risks highlighted by cases of delayed or denied refunds and financial mismanagement, providing a stronger regulatory framework and institutional safeguards for consumer protection in the rapidly growing elderly care sector.