Workers work at a workshop of Jack Sewing Machine Co., Ltd. in Taizhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 23, 2023. /Xinhua
Editor's note: Bobby Naderi is a London-based journalist, guest contributor in print, radio and television, and documentary filmmaker. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
Despite all the worries about the widely anticipated economic "hard landing" and the frequently talked about "slowdown," China's economy has shown continued strength, growing by 4.5 percent in the first quarter of 2023. The GDP growth rate, which measures the value of a nation's products and services, is impressive, demonstrating that China is indeed on a steady path to full economic recovery.
The contribution of other significant economies is dwarfed by that percentage as well, surpassing the expectations of economists and analysts who had forecast weaker growth due to the recent tightening of government regulations on the tech and real estate sectors.
Across-the-board upshots
The significance of China's economic rebound cannot be overstated, especially in light of the global economy. The reality that the world needs a prosperous China more than ever has far-reaching ramifications for the future of the global economy.
To start with, countries like Australia, which is a large exporter of iron ore to China, may benefit from a rise in the price of this product. The growing economy of China could boost demand for other goods and services as well. A substantial number of the world's consumers are Chinese, and as the economy of the nation grows, so does their desire for imports of goods and services.
This may include expensive items. China's growing middle class is demonstrating a greater interest in luxury goods, which may be helpful for countries like France, Italy, and the U.S., which have thriving luxury goods businesses. These companies have been successful in capitalizing on China’s rising demand for luxury goods by expanding their presence there and creating products exclusively for Chinese consumers.
More significantly, China's economic expansion might offer opportunities for multinational companies and investors to set up shop there. Infrastructure, technology, and service spending are increasing as China's economy grows. Foreign companies' freedom to invest and provide services benefits both those countries and China.
China is now a popular market for multinational firms thanks to the numerous incentives the government has put in place to encourage foreign direct investment and joint ventures. One of the most significant causes is the formation of Special Economic Zones, which are areas with distinctive economic policies, such as tax incentives, lax regulations, and infrastructure development.
The "Made in China 2025" project is another significant incentive. Multinational businesses are given financial incentives under the program to invest in high-tech industries including robots, biotechnology, and airplanes.
The Chinese government has also created a number of investment zones with attractive terms for multinational companies looking to invest. These zones have lowered taxes, expedited administrative procedures, and provided access to government funds. What's more, China has taken a variety of measures to improve the security of intellectual property (IP). Under multiple intellectual property laws in line with international rules, the government has set up specialized IP courts and increased the penalties for IP infringement.
An industry robot works at the analysis and testing center of Konfoong Materials International Co., Ltd. in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang Province, March 21, 2023. /Xinhua
Contribution to global GDP
Of all emerging economies, China has made the largest contribution to global growth. Over the past few decades, the development of the global economy has been significantly influenced by China's economic progress. As the world's top exporter of goods and services, this makes the Chinese economy the sole factor contributing the most to the growth of the global GDP.
More generally, China acts as the world's primary engine of development. Contrary to the major industrialized nations, whose policy space is severely constrained, the Chinese authorities have plenty of flexibility for accommodative moves and policies that could boost global investment and economic activities.
That contribution is all the more essential for a global economy that is sputtering along at stall speed, incapable of enduring a large shock without entering a new recession. Unlike the major economies of the developed world, which frequently struggle with a trade-off between short-term cyclical pressures and longer-term structural reforms, China's developing economy is perfectly capable of addressing both challenges.
This is because the nation has also made large expenditures in research and development, notably in industries like biotechnology, alternative energy, and artificial intelligence. As a result, innovation has been encouraged and new industries have emerged.
For instance, the largest vehicle market in the world, China, is making quick progress towards an electric future. Chinese-made brands are currently industry leaders in important categories, and new electric-drive vehicles are increasing their market share both locally and internationally. This may have worldwide effects because it appears to go against conventional thought, which maintains that the demand for commercial vehicles will raise the need for fossil fuels.
All these factors collectively suggest that China's economic growth may accelerate for the remainder of 2023. As the world becomes more linked, China's trade ties with other countries may also increase even further, which will help its economic rebound despite potential barriers, such as rising debt levels and geopolitical tensions.
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