China
Current Score
Global Rank
Percentile
Last Updated
Ranking Trend
China's rank movement over the last 30 days
Score Analysis
Analysis of China's policy signalling profile
China's current Social Policy Signalling Index score is 23, placing it at the lower end of the spectrum globally, ranking 179th out of 186 countries. This score reflects the limited presence of Western-style progressive policy signalling, as defined by the index, which focuses on DEI mandates, progressive content moderation, and LGBTQIA+ rights. The overall low score is consistent with authoritarian governance structures that prioritize state control and censorship over the adoption of policies typical of Western democracies. Despite some legislative and regulatory activism noted in the dimension scores, these are not aligned with the specific progressive policies measured by the index, which further contributes to the low overall score.
Analyzing the dimension scores, China's highest signalling intensity is in Legislative/Regulatory Activism, scoring 44.55, which indicates some activity in policy changes. However, this does not translate into Western-style progressive signalling, as the focus remains outside the scope of DEI and LGBTQIA+ rights. The Corporate/Investor Signalling dimension is relatively higher at 36.20, but still reflects a lack of significant DEI mandates or board diversity quotas. Institutional DEI Policy Intensity and Education & Curriculum Signalling remain low at 12.43 and 15.44, respectively, underscoring minimal engagement with progressive educational reforms or DEI policies. Overall, the scores reflect China's focus on state control and traditional policies rather than the progressive policy elements measured by the index.
Score Breakdown by Dimension
Weighted components of the composite score
Recent Events
Events that influenced this country's score
‘Win without fight’: how China fast-tracked the J-36, left US years behind in sixth-gen jet race
When it comes to building next-generation stealth jets, experience is the foundation of speed, reliability and combat readiness. Handing this critical job to a company with no stealth fighter experience could significantly delay progress and hand competitors a strategic gift. This is an open message from Yang Shuifeng, a lead designer of China’s cutting-edge stealth fighters. “The experience and capability of the research and development team cannot start from zero,” Yang, senior engineer and...
China says it expelled Philippine aircraft, vessels near disputed atolls
China to keep high fiscal deficit ratio in 2026 to buoy spending plans: analysts
China is expected to set its fiscal deficit ratio at around 4 per cent of gross domestic product in 2026, analysts said, adding the affirmation of a more prominent role for fiscal policy at this week’s central economic work conference indicates a selective approach to increasing government expenditures. In a statement issued after the annual conference ended on Tuesday, officials called for maintaining a “necessary deficit size, total debt and expenditure volume”. The December meeting of...
Chinese robotaxi firm Pony.ai bets on ‘asset-light’ strategy for growth
Chinese autonomous-driving technology firm Pony.ai is betting on an “asset-light” strategy and newer generations of low-cost driverless cars to drive growth for its robotaxi operation as the company expects to break even by 2030. Under the asset-light model, Pony.ai would team up with third-party companies – such as taxi operators or ride-hailing platforms – that would fund the deployment of its robotaxi fleet, according to Leo Wang Haojun, chief financial officer. Instead of taking on the full...
Taipei mayor Chiang Wan-an to attend annual forum in Shanghai under Taiwan’s watch
Taipei mayor Chiang Wan-an is set to visit Shanghai for a joint forum, an event that will be watched closely by Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Chiang will travel to Shanghai on December 27 and 28 for the Shanghai-Taipei City Forum, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported on Thursday. On Friday, mainland state news agency Xinhua said the annual forum would convene in Shanghai on December 28 and be based on the theme “Technology Transforming Life”. The forum, which was first...
Huawei bolsters AI ambitions with dedicated foundation model unit, recruits global talent
Huawei Technologies is doubling down on foundation models with a newly formed unit, heating up the race for dominance among Chinese tech giants in the artificial intelligence sector. The AI foundation model unit was established under Huawei’s 2012 Laboratories, the company’s strategic research and development arm that covered domains ranging from wireless technology to AI, according to a report by Chinese media outlet China Star Markets this week. The department was actively recruiting AI...
China ‘Drink Can Queen’ Guan Yuxiang grows US$1.4 billion business empire after retirement
Chinese entrepreneur Guan Yuxiang built her drink can empire from scratch after retirement, earning her the titles of the country’s “Drink Can Queen” and “the greatest retired female worker.” Born in Shenyang, in northeastern China’s Liaoning province in 1939, Guan joined a factory in Beijing at the age of 19. Like many in her generation, she dedicated three decades of her life to the same company before retiring at 50. However, unlike many who embrace a restful retirement, Guan chose to embark...
In India, tycoon’s call to adopt ‘996’ work culture in China spurs debate
India’s parliament is debating a draft law that would give employees the right to ignore work calls, emails and messages outside official hours, weeks after a tycoon’s call for a 72-hour work week sparked a furore on social media. The Right to Disconnect Bill 2025, introduced on December 5 by MP Supriya Sule, would empower authorities to impose penalties on non-compliant firms. Supporters argue the proposal recognises workers’ rights in an era of always-on corporate culture. Critics, however,...
Here's why Chinese carmakers are beating the Europeans in Kazakhstan
Localisation is the best bet car manufacturers can make to keep demand stable. South Korea, China, and the US already benefit from it. Is it time for Europe to do the same?
Flood expert Xu Chongyu leaves Europe for China as climate change speeds up
For three decades, Xu Chongyu was Europe’s secret weapon against the rising tides. Working from the University of Oslo, Xu developed hydrological models that helped to guard cities from Copenhagen to Brussels, predicting floods before the first clouds formed. But the climate clock was ticking fast and his homeland needed him, so the Chinese-born scientist decided to leave. A homecoming ceremony was held for Xu on December 3 at North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power (NCWU)...