China's boom changed the world. Now, it faces a slump
Sep 6, 2023
22:15
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China's booming economy is now facing a slowdown with sinking housing demand and deflation. The podcast explores the economic challenges, impact on other economies, and struggles of Chinese property developers. It also discusses the psychological effect on spending habits, rise of youth unemployment, and potential solutions for China's economy.
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Quick takeaways
China's economy is slowing down due to overbuilding, excessive debt, and a property market crisis.
Youth unemployment is rising in China, with young individuals opting out of traditional work and embracing catchphrases like 'lying flat' to prioritize personal happiness.
Deep dives
China's Economic Growth and Transformation
China has experienced explosive economic growth over the past 40 years, transitioning from an isolated agrarian country to the world's second-largest economy. This growth was fueled by embracing capitalism, encouraging private business, and becoming a global manufacturing hub. The rise of China has had a significant impact on other economies, such as Canada, which benefited from the increased demand for natural resources. However, signs of slowdown have emerged, with overbuilding and excessive debt contributing to the property market crisis. China's biggest developers, like Evergrande, are struggling to survive, causing ripple effects throughout the economy. The reliance on real estate growth and financial insecurity have affected the average person's willingness to spend, impacting consumption and overall economic activity.
Youth Unemployment and Changing Behaviour
China's youth unemployment rate has been on the rise, reaching over 21%. Government crackdowns on various industries, including real estate and tech, have limited employment opportunities for young people. The shift towards a more educated workforce has also led to a reluctance to work in factories. Instead, some young Chinese individuals have chosen to opt out of traditional work and family values, embracing catchphrases like 'lying flat' to reject the competitive rat race and prioritize personal happiness. The lack of confidence and financial security has also made them more dependent on their parents, impacting their ability to develop skills and contribute to the economy.
Challenges and Potential Solutions
Experts suggest that in order to sustain growth, China needs to shift from relying on infrastructure and construction to a more consumption-driven economy like Canada's. However, this transition presents challenges due to ideological concerns and the absence of a robust social safety net. The Chinese government has implemented measures to address the economic issues, but they have been reactive rather than proactive. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, a stagnating Chinese economy could have repercussions for other countries, including Canada. The reliance on China's market for natural resources and the people-to-people ties between the two countries could result in layoffs and a slowdown in the Canadian economy.
As Canada deals with high inflation and a housing shortage, the world’s second-largest economy is grappling with a nearly opposite reality.
China has been booming for over 40 years as Beijing invested heavily to build up the country. But now, demand for housing is sinking amid overbuilding and developers mired in debt, and consumer prices have recently fallen into deflation.
Today, Wall Street Journal China bureau chief Jonathan Cheng explains the signs that China’s economy is slowing down, and what it could mean for the boom that changed the world to come to an end.
Looking for a transcript of the show? They’re available here daily: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts
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