Chinese economic crises (2020–present)

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A series of economic crises have affected China since the country enacted its zero-COVID policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contents

Background

COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China

In December 2019, the first case of SARS-CoV-2 was reported in Wuhan. [1] The outbreak in January 2020 was the impetus for a broader pandemic; the World Health Organization formally declared a pandemic on 11 March. [2] In response, Xi Jinping's administration pursued a zero-COVID policy. On 23 January, amid a rising death toll, the Chinese government imposed a travel lockdown on Wuhan, confining citizens within the city. [3] In March, nearly all foreigners were barred from entering the country. [4]

Crises

Property sector crisis

In August 2020, the Chinese government enacted new regulations on the amount of debt property developers can incur. The new regulations affected Evergrande Group, China's second-largest property developer, and the Chinese real estate market as a whole. [5] In addition, the Chinese shadow banks, such as Sichuan Trust, have been greatly effected by the property sector crisis due to over lending and a crackdown on regulations. [6] [7]

Debt crisis

Financing affiliates in local governments—who depend upon the vitality of the real estate market—responded to the property sector crisis by borrowing the land that developers can no longer afford. The excess borrowing has created a debt crisis; China has lent nearly US$1 trillion to over a hundred developing countries. [8]

Youth unemployment

Since January 2023, the unemployment rate among young people in China has risen. Since July 2024, the youth unemployment rate as been steadily above 17%. Many are discouraged by what they perceive to be poor working conditions. [9]

Stock market turbulence

The CSI 300 index, which contains the largest and most liquid Shanghai- and Shenzhen-listed stocks, shedding more than 6% in January 2024. [10]

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Country Garden is a property development company based in Guangdong, China, owned by Yang Guoqiang's family. It ranked 206th in Fortune Global 500 list of 2023. Country Garden features a market capitalization of over US$29.84 billion as of 2018; with 187 high-end township developments throughout China, Malaysia and Australia among its vast international project portfolio. The company is incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Its headquarters are in the town of Beijiao, in Shunde District, Foshan.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China</span>

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2020s commercial real estate distress was a worldwide spike in commercial real estate distress that began in the 2020s in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and interest rates hikes by central banks in response to the 2021 inflation crisis. Although the increase in distress occurred globally it was most acute in the United States and China.

References

  1. Wee, Sui-Lee; McNeil Jr., Donald (8 January 2020). "China Identifies New Virus Causing Pneumonialike Illness". The New York Times . Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  2. "Coronavirus confirmed as pandemic by World Health Organization". BBC News. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  3. Buckley, Chris; Hernández, Javier (23 January 2020). "China Expands Virus Lockdown, Encircling 35 Million". The New York Times . Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  4. Bradsher, Keith (26 March 2020). "To Slow Virus, China Bars Entry by Almost All Foreigners". The New York Times . Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  5. Moreno, J. Edward (21 August 2023). "What to Know About China's Real Estate Crisis". The New York Times . Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  6. "What are shadow banks and why are they failing in China?". euronews. 2024-02-27. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  7. Hawkins, Amy; correspondent, Amy Hawkins Senior China (2024-02-18). "'It's legalised robbery': anger grows at China's struggling shadow banks". The Observer. ISSN   0029-7712 . Retrieved 2024-05-09.{{cite news}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  8. Bradsher, Keith (8 July 2023). "Why China Has a Giant Pile of Debt". The New York Times . Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  9. Yang, William (2024-12-09). "Unemployment continues to plague China's youth in 2024". Voice of America. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  10. Leng, Cheng; Lockett, Hudson (2024-02-07). "China stock trading surges after Beijing unveils more state-led buying". Financial Times. Retrieved 2024-02-09.