China hails ‘favorable’ economic conditions, despite trade woes
China’s top economic policymakers expressed confidence Wednesday that the country could achieve a strong recovery this year, despite persistent headwinds that continue to hinder growth. Thousands of delegates are convening this week in Beijing for the “Two Sessions” — the annual meetings of China’s parliament and a political consultative body — to discuss official strategy for the year ahead.
During a press event on Wednesday on the sidelines of the major gathering, China’s economic planning chief Zheng Shanjie said “favorable conditions for China’s economic development will outweigh unfavorable factors” in 2024.
“The trend of economic recovery will be further consolidated and strengthened,” Zheng said at the media conference, which saw the rare assembly of five powerful officials overseeing the economy. This year’s edition of the Two Sessions is being closely watched for signs of further state support to help the world’s second-largest economy, which is currently ailing from a range of issues including a protracted crisis in the property market, flagging exports and high youth unemployment.
But Zheng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, admitted that 2024 would also see challenges, including “hidden risks” and a “complex and severe” external environment. Commerce Minister Wang Wentao elaborated on such challenges at the media conference, predicting continued “downward pressure” on global growth. Chinese exports, historically a key growth driver, fell last year for the first time since 2016, reflecting how tensions with the United States and a stuttering global economic recovery are compounding Beijing’s struggles to kickstart growth at home.
Wang said Wednesday that, despite a resurgence in Chinese exports in the first two months of this year, March would likely see a decline. “But, the overall trend is upward,” added Wang.
Beijing’s leadership on Tuesday laid out an objective of “around five percent” GDP growth this year — a dream of many developed Western nations but for China a far cry from the breakneck expansion that powered its rise. — AFP