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Figures for October CPI and PPI The consumer price index(CPI), a barometer of inflation, grew 4.4 percent in October, a 24-month high and 0.8 percentage points higher than in Septmber, according to the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS).     

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Inflation continues to stretch the nerves of Chinese policymakers,as CPI growth hit 5.5 percent in May,a 34-month record.In response,the central bank has ordered a 0.5-percentage-point hike of the reserve requirement ratio for the sixth time this year.On the trade front,imports maintain momentum while exports lose ground.Fixed-asset investment and consumption remain buoyant,providing a driving force for the Chinese economy.The once-feverish auto market is quickly cooling due to the expiration of policy incentives,climbing gasoline prices and purchase limits in Beijing.     

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TO THE POINT: The Chinese economy maintained stable and relativelyfast growth in 2008 with eased inflation. Its GDP grew 9 percent last year,the first single-digit growth since 2002, and accounted for 20 percent of theglobal economy. Economists hope that the latest rescue measures adoptedby the Central Government could boost the country's economic performancein 2009. Inflation was brought under control as the consumer price index grewa satisfactory 1.2 percent in December year on year. The urban registered ...     

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GDP China's GDP soared 11.1 percent in the first half of 2010 to reach 17.28 trillion yuan (＄2.55 trillion),said the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS).     

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July Economic Figures CPI and PPI The consumer price index(CPI),a barometer of inflation,grew 33 percent year on year in July,0.4 percentage points faster than in June,said the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS).This exceeded the government-set3-percent target for the entire year.     

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Economic data for February were released, providing insight into the health of the economy. Inflation continues, with the CPI coming in at 4.9 percent, above the government-set cap of 4 percent for this year. Newly extended bank loans fall dramatically as the central bank twists harder on the credit screws. Growth of retail sales slows down in part because the auto market has become lackluster. China Mobile, the world’s top telecom operator by subscribers, reports modest growth. After three consecutive months of net selling, China remains the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasury securities.     

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TO THE POINT:The release of economic figures for April stoked inflation fears again.The CPI rose 2.8 percent in April,challenging the government's goal of keeping inflation below 3 percent.Bank lending in April brought new loans in the first four months to half of the designated loan target cap for the whole year.     

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Major Economic Figures In January 2010 CPI In January,the consumer price index(CPI),a main gauge for inflation,rose 1.5 percent from a year earlier,the highest growth in nearly two years.     

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TO THE POINT: Major economic figures in February all signaled eco- nomic downturn pressure in China in the wake of the global credit crunch. The country's CPI and PPI fell into negative territory, igniting jitters of defla- tion. Shrinking demand also undermined China's foreign trade. A faster drop in exports led to the lowest trade surplus in three years. Home prices fell nationwide. The securities watchdog reversed course and issued new licenses to three qualified foreign institutional investors enabling ...     

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Stock Market Nightmare A bearish mood dominated the Chinese stock markets in the first half of this year with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dropping 26.82 percent by June 30.     

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TO THE POINT:The government promulgated a series of industrial re- vitalization plans to keep the economy from slipping.The State Council approved a plan to revive the nation's shipbuilding industry.The January consumer price and producer price indexes indicated inflationary pressure had disappeared,but suggested possible deflation.Imports and exports bore the brunt of the global economic downturn in January,with the total trade value slipping by almost 30 percent year on year.For the first time, China over...     

A Blessing in Disguise？

HUANG An finally set footin Hainan, the onlyChinese province he hasnever been to, at the end ofJune. If he had gone in May theprice of his ticket would have been50 percent less. But the awarenessat that time that visitors fromBejing, the area worst stricken bySARS, were not welcome in otherparts of China made him wait.     

Living a Quality Life

The growth of high-quality consumption among Chinas expanding and increasingly more discerning middle-class has become a major drawcard for global brands to enter the Chinese market. China is the only major economy that achieved positive growth during the COVID-19 pandemic last year.At the first China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) held in Haikou,Hainan Province in May,top global luxury groups such as LVMH,Richemont,and Kering all had a prominent presence.The global growth of Hublot,a Swiss watch brand under the LVMH Group,is driven mainly by Chinese sales.In 2010,the Chinese mainland market accounted for less than one percent of its global sales,and in 2020 this proportion was closer to 15 percent.According to a research report released by Bain & Company,global luxury sales in 2020 shrank by 23 percent to (∈) 217 billion,compared with 2019.     

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TO THE POINT: CPI growth rate hit a 22-month record high in August, ignit-ing fears of inflation. Foreign trade is recovering, with exports and imports on the rise. Uncertainties abound over the property market, as price increases slow and sales volume rebounds. China maintains its attractiveness to foreign investors as indicated by continuous FDI growth. Video website Tudou.com gears up for an initial public offering in a scramble to acquire more financing.     

A Strong Start

正China's economic performance in Q1 recovered pre-pandemic levels Recovering from the lows caused by COVID-19 last year, China's economy grew 18.3 percent year on year to 24.93 trillion yuan($3.82 trillion) in the first quarter(Q1) of 2021. According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS) on April 16,     

Picking Up Speed

China’s new-energy car market continues to expand Although China’s auto market shrank in the early months of 2020 as the novel coronavirus epidemic dampened demand,car sales have continued to expand in recent months.Data from the China Passenger Car Association(CPCA)shows that sales dropped 6.8 percent year on year last year,contracting from the year-onyear decline of 7.3 percent in 2019 as resumed sale of new-energy vehicles(NEVs)made key contributions.     

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The central bank on November 19 ordered commercial banks to set aside an additional 0.5 percent of their reserves amid looming inflationary risks.Investors are on the defense and preparing for the worst by buying up gold as a safe haven against inflation and market uncertainties.China’s stateowned enterprises earned a combined profit of 1.626 trillion yuan($245 billion) from January to October this year,soaring 44.8 percent year on year.In a push into renewable energies,China should enhance efforts in hydropower,wind power and inter-provincial trade,as well as green electricity schemes,said the World Bank.The aviation industry booms as air traffic increases.     

Back to Expansion

China’s economy rebounds despite headwinds triggered by COVID-19 Recovering from the contraction caused by the novel coronavirus disease(COVID-19)epidemic,China’s economy saw a better-than-expected performance in 2020.The GDP expanded 2.3 percent year on year to101.59 trillion yuan($15.6 trillion),exceeding the100-trillion-yuan($15.42 trillion)mark for the first time.The per-capita GDP exceeded$10,000for two consecutive years,narrowing the gap with high-income countries,data from the National Bureau of Statistics(NBS)showed.     

Economic Rebound Attracts More FDI

正The Western mainstream media has often lashed out against the Chinese Government and the country,but that has not resulted in a negative impact on China when it comes to attracting substantial flows of inbound foreign direct investments(FDI).     

Destination China

China's foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows dropped by about 20 percent year on year in the first quarter,raising questions about the country's attractiveness to foreign investors. Edgar G. Hotard,Chairman of the Monitor Group (China),sat down with Beijing Review reporter Hu Yue on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia on April 17-19,to discuss this issue. The Monitor Group is a global provider of strategy consulting services,headquartered in the United States and with offices in China.