China's Economy Sustaining Sound, Steady Growth
This year, China's economy has maintained overall stability and made steady progress, high-quality development has been solidly promoted, and the main goals and tasks of economic and social development are expected to be successfully completed, according to an annual Central Economic Work Conference held recently in Beijing.
The conference attracted global attention, with observers saying the Chinese government's measures will further stimulate the vitality of its economy.
The conference's decision to promote sustained economic recovery with a more proactive fiscal policy and a moderately loose monetary policy in 2025 drew experts' and the foreign media's attention.
Julian Evans-Pritchard, head of China economics at Capital Economics, said the readout of the economic meeting "leaves little doubt that the shift toward a more supportive policy stance that began back in September is still alive and well."
The Wall Street Journal said the nation proposed a "moderately loose" monetary policy — the first introduction of such language since 2008.
Russian daily newspaper Izvestia said the conference signaled its determination to further strengthen policy support for economic growth.
Russia's Sputnik quoted experts as saying that a moderately loose monetary policy will help promote the growth of the real economy, stimulate consumption, and achieve a high level of opening up to the outside world.
In the January to November period this year, China's total goods imports and exports expanded 4.9 percent year on year in RMB terms, with the goods trade volume expanding to 39.79 trillion RMB, according to the General Administration of Customs.
CNBC said the economic conference noted an increase in "external challenges," calling for increasing consumption to boost effective investment and support technological innovation.
According to Financial Times, Morgan Stanley economists suggested that boosting demand, especially consumption, would be the priority for China's economy next year. Supply chain upgrades and innovation will also occupy an important position.
Jin Keyu, a professor of economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, commented that "China is going to play a very essential role" in the global green transformation.
In terms of stocks, Barry Gill, head of investment at UBS Asset Management, said China is still his "top pick." Given the current valuation compared with other markets, China has the most potential to surprise investors, he added.
China will maintain stable growth. Lynn Song, chief economist for Greater China at ING Bank, said, with only one month of data still to come, China will likely manage to complete its set objectives for 2024.