How worried should we be about China?

29 snips

Mar 3, 2025

Ian Williams, a former China correspondent with over 20 years of experience and author of "Vampire State," sheds light on China's faltering economy amid a property market collapse and escalating debt. He draws alarming parallels between the Communist Party's tactics and historical authoritarian regimes, highlighting vulnerabilities in China's electric vehicle sector. Williams discusses the implications of global dependencies on Chinese technology and the geopolitical landscape shaped by the Belt and Road Initiative, urging a reexamination of international engagement strategies.

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INSIGHT

China's Unreliable GDP Data

China's GDP figures are unreliable due to widespread data manipulation and systemic corruption.
Local officials inflate figures to meet targets, hindering accurate economic assessments.

ANECDOTE

Western Tolerance of Unfair Practices

Western companies tolerate China's disregard for international commerce rules for market access.
An American businessman prioritized a deal over protesting unfair treatment after an accident.

INSIGHT

Elon Musk's Vulnerability in China

Elon Musk's businesses in China are vulnerable due to his position in the US.
His support for the CCP could backfire if US-China relations worsen.

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What is happening to China? With a massive property market collapse, unsustainable levels of debt, and widespread data manipulation, is this the end of growth for the world’s second-largest economy? And what steps should we take to protect ourselves from a country that doesn’t play by the rules?

Ian Williams spent over 20 years as a foreign correspondent covering China. He has written a book titled Vampire State: The Rise and Fall of the Chinese Economy.

Get Ian’s book: https://birlinn.co.uk/product/vampire-state/

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