Don Wineland, The Economist's China business editor, discusses the turmoil in China's housing sector, highlighting the struggles of major players like Country Garden and Evergrande. He explains how these issues impact the broader economy and citizen confidence. Meanwhile, Guy Scriven, US tech editor, takes us on a ride in San Francisco's autonomous taxis, exploring the technology, safety concerns, and public opinions surrounding this innovation. Both guests also touch on the alarming decline of Antarctic sea ice and its implications for climate change.
The financial troubles of China's housing giant, Country Garden, raise concerns about the stability of the Chinese economy, impacting both private and state developers.
The introduction of self-driving taxis in San Francisco sparks debates on safety, job displacement, accessibility benefits, and the need to demonstrate the superior safety of robotaxis over human drivers.
Deep dives
China's Housing Crisis
China's housing giant, Country Garden, is facing financial troubles, raising concerns about the stability of the Chinese economy. As Chinese citizens heavily invest in housing, any doubts about the housing market can lead to a loss of confidence in the economy as a whole. The government has implemented measures to support cities and ensure the continuation of home construction projects, but the widespread impact of the crisis could have far-reaching consequences, affecting supply chains and eroding confidence in both private and state developers.
Robo-Taxis in San Francisco
The introduction of self-driving taxis, such as Waymo and Cruise, in San Francisco has sparked debates and concerns among the public. Safety remains a prominent issue, as incidents of robotaxis interfering with emergency responders have raised questions about their reliability. Job displacement is another concern, with drivers worried about the impact on their livelihoods. However, there are benefits to autonomous taxis, including improved accessibility for individuals with disabilities and the potential for in-car entertainment services. The companies are still striving to demonstrate the superior safety of robotaxis over human drivers.
Declining Antarctic Sea Ice
Antarctic sea ice levels have reached an all-time low, raising alarm among scientists. The decrease in levels is unusual and could be attributed to a combination of climate change and temporary factors. Unusual wind patterns, storms, and warmer waters have all contributed to the melting sea ice. The consequences of diminishing Antarctic sea ice include higher water and air temperatures, destabilization of glaciers, and potential accelerated sea-level rise if ice shelves collapse. Scientists predict further shrinkage of sea ice in the second half of the century based on current climate models.
Once again, fears are ripping through the industry—this time starting from a firm once thought too big to fail. In an economy so dependent on housebuilding, that will have wide-ranging consequences. We take a ride in one of the autonomous taxis that have flooded onto San Francisco’s streets (10:22). And crunching the numbers on Antarctica’s worrisome dearth of sea ice (19:40).
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