China's listed banks make sustained progress in supporting real economy

China's 42 A-share listed banks steadily improved the quality and efficiency in their continued support to the real economy, while maintaining steady development in the first half of the year, according to their 2025 interim results announcements.

The interim results announcements said that the 42 A-share listed banks reported a total operating revenue of more than 2.9 trillion yuan (about 410 billion U.S. dollars), representing a year-on-year increase of over 1 percent. Their net profit attributable to parent companies reached 1.1 trillion yuan, up 0.8 percent year on year.

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the China Construction Bank (CCB), the Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) and the Bank of China (BOC) each recorded a net profit exceeding 100 billion yuan, while the non-performing loan ratio of the country's six major commercial banks -- the ICBC, the CCB, the ABC, the BOC, the Bank of Communications (BOCOM) and the Postal Savings Bank of China (PSBC) -- remained at low levels.

"We have fully supported the high-quality development of the real economy. By the end of June, loans to the manufacturing sector increased by 12.99 percent compared with the end of the previous year, while loans to strategic emerging industries grew by 22.92 percent. Loans for consumer goods trade-in programs nearly tripled the total of the previous year. In terms of technology finance, our financing growth rate also outpaced those of our peers," said Zhang Hui, president of the BOC, at a press briefing on Friday. Since the beginning of this year, technology sectors related to new quality productive forces have become key recipients of the support from the banks, which significant increased the funding.

By the end of June, the ICBC's technology loan balance reached 6 trillion yuan, an increase of over 1 trillion yuan from the beginning of the year, while CCB's technology loan balance was 5.15 trillion yuan, an increase of 16.81 percent compared with the end of the previous year. ABC's technology loan balance totaled 4.7 trillion yuan, with over 800 billion yuan added in the first six months of the year, reflecting a growth rate exceeding 20 percent.

In addition, sectors related to people's livelihood and consumption have also been key areas for funding.

"In the first half of the year, the volume of mortgage applications and disbursements increased significantly compared with the same period last year, while loan balances remained stable. Over the past few years, the proportion of second-hand housing transactions in total housing transactions has continuously risen, and we are actively seizing such a structural opportunity," said Ji Zhihong, vice president of the CCB.

In the first six months of the year, the PSBC saw consumer loans, excluding housing and auto loans, increase by over 100 percent. Meanwhile, the BOC reported a 15.42-percent growth in personal consumer loan balance compared with the beginning of the year.

China's listed banks make sustained progress in supporting real economy

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Iran has obtained extensive documents and evidence linking the recent unrest across the country to the U.S. and Israel, noting that Mossad agents attempted to direct such "terrorist acts."

Araghchi said at a press conference in Tehran that since Dec 28, 2025, Iran had seen peaceful demonstrations organized by industry associations and economic professional. In the following days, more participants joined, and the situation gradually escalated from peaceful rallies into violent clashes.

Beginning on Jan 8, terrorists and armed groups carrying weapons entered protest sites and opened fire on police and civilians, with the aim of steering demonstrations toward violence, bloodshed and chaos, he said.

"Israeli media reports are rife with claims that Israel has designed and conducted operations in Iran. Mr. [Mike] Pompeo, who was Trump's CIA director, said on his X that 'Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.' This clearly shows that Mossad agents attempted to direct such terrorist acts," the minister said. Addressing military threats from the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi said Iran does not seek war but is fully prepared to face up to war. He added that Iran is ready for serious and pragmatic negotiations with the U.S., but the talks must be based on fairness, equality and mutual respect, rather than unilateral pressure or directives from Washington.

On the same day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the U.S. and Israel at a regular press briefing in Tehran. He said the two countries have made "extensive interventionist remarks" regarding Iran's situation, saying such statements are intended to foment chaos, violence and instability.

The spokesman said Iran is closely monitoring the development of the situation and remains fully prepared, warning that Iran's armed forces will respond to any act of aggression by its enemies.

Mossad agents attempt to direct terrorist acts: Iranian FM