The Chinese government is taking a calculated risk with its stimulus package. The economy has already recovered to about 80% of its pre-Chinese New Year activity level. While the government is taking a cautious approach with its monetary and fiscal policies, it has also made it clear that the goal is to spur growth and jobs. China has also recognized that the crisis is long-term and needs to be resolved while maintaining full utilization of the economy.
China’s zero-COVID policy has slowed economic growth
China’s zero-COVID policy, which limits imports and exports to countries that have zero-COVID status, has affected the global economy. The policy has disrupted supply chains, consumer spending, and manufacturing, and has driven the Chinese economy toward a recession. As a result, the country is unlikely to meet its 5.5 percent growth target this year, and may grow only one or two percent. While China has fought the zero-COVID policy for years, it is now facing the consequences of the policy. It has even postponed the Asian Games until 2023.
While the zero-COVID policy has saved many lives, the effects on the economy are mixed. In addition to the slowdown in China’s GDP, the policy has caused an adverse impact on its trading partners, as it has depressed demand for imported goods. Although China’s infection rate is low, continued lockdowns and restrictions have weighed on the economy and property market. Will China’s Stimulus leaders may need to adjust their zero-COVID policy to make it work better for the country’s economy.
Beijing’s zero-COVID policy has hit the property market hard, and the property market is not expected to bounce back in the near future. Nonetheless, the country has taken steps to encourage investors and issue bonds onshore. It has also lowered mortgage rates.
China’s monetary policy helped China recover quickly from COVID-19
China’s monetary policy helped China recover from COVID-19, by injecting significant liquidity into the economy and allowing credit to expand faster than in 2017. This supported the growth of a wide range of sectors, including construction, manufacturing, and logistics. The government also introduced tax cuts and other measures to support the economy. It also eased listing requirements for companies seeking equity financing. It also lowered value-added-tax rates in Hubei Province, exempted small businesses from China’s social-security system, and suspended local tolls.
The easing policy was initiated immediately after Covid-19 spread accelerated. The impact of the policy is being felt across China’s economy, where retail sales increased 3.3 percent compared to a year ago, and industrial production increased by 6.9 percent. However, China’s recovery model may not be applicable to other economies. The country’s monetary policy is far less strict than most other countries’, and the country’s economy has experienced a rapid recovery as a result.
COVID-19’s rapid spread caused a significant reduction in foreign direct investment, tourism, and business trips. In many critical countries, the virus was so contagious that the economy was shut down or severely restricted. In China, the only major economy to grow in 2020 was the country, but the rate was the slowest since 1976.
China’s stimulus will jump-start consumption
Beijing’s plan to stimulate the economy has the potential to spur consumption in emerging markets. It also reaffirms state control over key sectors. China will increase the amount of credit it lends to small and medium-sized firms and lower interest rates. These measures will likely help China’s economy bounce back after a slow start.
The majority of China’s economic stimulus has been pumped into its construction and heavy industrial sectors. This boosted GDP by more than 6%, but it has resulted in a steep rise in emissions. Since 2009, China has increased its carbon emissions by almost 10%, a rate which is unprecedented for the country.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented disruptions to the world economy. The virus’ spread from one country to another, shutting down many major engines. It began in China, but quickly spread to many more countries, including India, Russia, and Southeast Asia. The only factories that remain open are those that are vital for the health sector and world economy.
Unemployment will surge
The Chinese government recently announced a new stimulus package worth at least 4.5 percent of its GDP, an amount that will help revive the economy and stabilize the financial system. During the global financial crisis of 2008-2010, the Chinese government relied heavily on credit expansion to prop up the economy, but the government is now leveraging fiscal policy to revive the economy. Although the stimulus package is an important step towards financial stability, it is still too early to assess its impact on the economy.
Real estate prices have stabilized
Usually, a plunge in the U.S. dollar boosts emerging markets, but there is no certainty that Chinas stimulus will do so this time. As of July, the U.S. dollar has hit multi-year lows. But the recent crisis has prompted the U.S. to reverse course on its quantitative tightening policy. This has left some developing countries ill-prepared for a global economic meltdown. Chinas stimulus is expected to boost the economies of these countries in the short term.
China’s stimulus measures have stimulated its economy and cut interest rates to spur growth. Recently, President Xi Jinping gave a speech on the country’s economic priorities and said the country would step up macroeconomic policy adjustments. He also said that China was focusing on mitigating the effects of COVID-19. In addition, the Chinese Communist Party will hold its 20th National Congress in the fourth quarter, which is expected to secure Xi Jinping’s third term as core leader.
Assuming that China does indeed move toward its 5.5% target, it will likely benefit emerging markets in the short term. Rising commodity prices have improved terms of trade in many commodity exporting countries. In addition, the current account balances of many countries have improved. Furthermore, their debt valuations have also become more attractive.
China’s property market continues to struggle, as the zero-COVID policy weighs heavily on demand. While property prices have recovered in some areas, the overall situation is likely to worsen in the rest of the year. But the government has taken steps to boost investor confidence, helping real estate developers issue bonds onshore, and lowering mortgage rates. The measures taken by the government have been effective in raising investor confidence in the industry.
Manufacturing PMI is beating expectations
China’s manufacturing sector is showing signs of stabilizing in November, with two separate surveys showing better-than-expected growth. The official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, which measures the output of large state-owned factories, jumped to 51.4 in November, matching its highest level since July 2014 and April 2012. The latest reading beat analysts’ expectations of 51.0, which was predicted by Reuters. The strong performance is being attributed in part to the government’s infrastructure stimulus program. The construction and steel industries in particular have been boosted by a property boom, which has led to higher prices for steel and construction materials.
China’s manufacturing activity expanded in March for the first time in nine months, with output increasing by 7.6%. But at the same time, factories continued to cut jobs at a sharp pace. The country’s leaders are in a difficult position because they must cut industrial overcapacity without resorting to mass layoffs. Still, the official manufacturing PMI rose to 50.2 in March, up from 49.8 in February. The manufacturing PMI reflects business sentiment in construction and services, not just manufacturing.
Manufacturing PMI in China has beaten expectations for the fourth straight month, beating estimates in March and August. Despite the ongoing trade war and a slowdown in overseas and domestic consumption, the index remained near its five-year average of 50.8. The slight drop in the headline index was primarily due to a softer positive contribution from new orders, which slowed the rate of job creation. However, the strong growth in production volumes was partly attributed to increased exports.
Read More : Will China’s Stimulus Package Be a Boon for Emerging Markets?
