China Weighs Consumer Stimulus Amid Persistent Demand Gap

China’s top leaders are set to intensify efforts to boost consumer demand, as data shows that retail spending has slowed unexpectedly. Despite this, Beijing is unlikely to unleash a large-scale stimulus package just yet. Instead, senior officials have signaled a stronger pro-growth stance by endorsing bigger government spending and interest rate cuts. This marks the strongest stance in over a decade, with boosting consumption now at the top priority. However, Beijing is still cautious about abandoning its focus on factory production, which remains a key driver of growth. As the country searches for solutions to fill the gap in demand, policymakers are working to find alternative strategies to stimulate consumer spending.

Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-16/china-will-keep-trying-to-spur-consumption-without-big-stimulus