China: 2024 Forecast Is Unachieveable

10 March 2024 In a blog six years ago, I suggested China's growth slowdown had just begun. I indicated the headwinds emanating from the property crisis, shrinking population, weak productivity growth, debt deleveraging, and the rebalancing towards consumer-led activity would slow China's long-term GDP growth potential towards 3.5% to 4%. In the interim, most investors [...]

China: Tiger Needs a Red Packet

6 February 2022 During the past two Covid-strickened years, China's economic growth has outperformed global activity. Indeed, while output in developed nations contracted nearly 5% in 2020, the Chinese economy actually gained 2%. Likewise, China's 8% recovery in 2021 outpaced the 5% rebound in the world's richer countries. Behind the headlines, however, the news has [...]

China: Becoming World’s Biggest Economy?

9 February 2021 China was the only major country to record economic growth in 2020, with GDP expanding 2.3%. Indeed, following three consecutive quarters of expansion, national output is already 6.5% above pre-Covid levels. As we approach Chinese New Year, the IMF optimistically projects 8.1% GDP growth during the year of the Ox. Likewise, I [...]

China: IMF Selected Issues

The IMF provides in-depth assessments of key policy issues.  How is the rebalancing of the economy progressing? Can the dramatic capital outflows be controlled? How are coporate deleveraging and SOE reform advancing? What steps are being taken to control coal-induced pollution? China IMF August 2016