Economist Podcasts Chinese draggin’: growth slows
Oct 18, 2021
In this discussion, Simon Cox, the China economics editor for The Economist, tackles the slow growth of China's economy, attributing it to pandemic setbacks and real estate issues. He reveals Xi Jinping's pivot towards 'common prosperity,' balancing growth with social equity. Meanwhile, Sophie Petter, Paris bureau chief, dives into the turbulent waters of French politics as Macron preps for his re-election, facing unpredictable rivals. The talk also humorously explores age-old solutions to modern meeting inefficiencies, suggesting that some ideas are truly timeless.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
China's slowing growth
- China's GDP growth is slowing, only increasing 4.9% year-over-year and 0.2% over the last quarter.
- This slowdown follows a brief growth spurt after the initial pandemic recovery.
Factors affecting China's growth
- China's latest growth figures were below expectations, even though expectations were already low.
- Several issues are impacting growth, including problems in the property sector, the pandemic, and power limitations.
Pandemic's mixed impact
- The pandemic has boosted China's exports due to increased demand for goods and less competition from other manufacturers.
- However, China's strict lockdowns in response to outbreaks have negatively impacted its service sector.