China’s top government leaders vowed to expand domestic consumption and continue to support the private sector in the latest effort to revive the economy.
(Bloomberg) — China’s top government leaders vowed to expand domestic consumption and continue to support the private sector in the latest effort to revive the economy.
China’s State Council promised to meet annual economic targets via “targeted and forceful” macroeconomic controls and strengthened policy coordination, China National Radio reported, citing a plenary meeting led by Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday.
Li called for more effort to boost domestic demand and consumption, including big ticket purchases, though no specific new stimulus measures were announced. He also promised to prevent “major risks” and deepen reforms in state-run sectors.
Economic Woes
The meeting came as troubles mount for the Chinese economy, with recent data showing weak consumer spending growth, sliding investment and rising unemployment. Concerns about contagion risk from the worsening property slump are starting to spread to the financial sector, too, as a major trust firm with exposure to real estate missed payments on dozens of products.
The central bank on Tuesday cut a key interest rate by the largest amount since 2020, as authorities worked to shore up growth and speed the recovery. But officials have so far resisted rolling out major stimulus efforts in the world’s second-biggest economy, despite a pro-growth tilt signaled by the Communist Party’s Politburo at the end of July.
Read more: China Cuts Rate by Most Since 2020 as Economic Woes Deepen
Stimulus in previous downturns — including during the global financial crisis and again around 2015 — sent housing prices and debt levels in the economy soaring. Officials don’t want a repeat of that result.
The State Council holds plenary meetings no more than twice a year, according to recent records. Most have been to discuss the government’s annual work report ahead of a major legislative meeting in March.
The rest have covered other themes, such as economic reform or the naming of top officials in the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
Premier Li Qiang held a plenary meeting in March of this year, where he also pledged to push for the economy to improve.
–With assistance from Li Liu.
(Updates throughout)
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