Liu paints optimistic economic picture for China

Vice-premier Liu He has said China is "confident" that growth will most likely return to its normal trend, and the country's economy will "see a significant improvement" in 2023.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday, Liu called for international cooperation, a global response to climate change, and the placing of economic development as the "primary and central task".

"In 2023, we will strive to maintain reasonable economic growth, and keep prices and jobs stable," Liu said. "More focus will be placed on expanding domestic demand, keeping supply chains stable, supporting the private sector, reforming the State-owned enterprises attracting foreign investment, and preventing economic and financial risks."

Over the past 10 years, China's GDP grew from 54 trillion to 121 trillion yuan ($8 billion to $17.86 billion), average life expectancy rose from 74.8 to 78.2 years, and contribution to global growth reached around 36 percent.

The vice-premier, who last attended the forum in 2018, said that China will continue to promote all-round opening-up.

"Opening-up, as a basic state policy, is a catalyst of reform and development, and a key driver of economic progress in China," he said. "China's door to the outside will only open wider."

Liu also addressed the issues of China's real estate sector, which is still a pillar of China's economy, and accounts for nearly 40 percent of bank lending, 50 percent of overall local government fiscal resources, and 60 percent of urban household assets.

From the second half of 2021, China experienced a rapid decline in property prices and home sales. Since then, with the 'blood transfusion' to the property industry, Liu said supply and demand in the market have seen noticeable improvement.

"Looking ahead, China's urbanization is still on a fast track, and the enormous potential demand generated in this process will provide a strong underpinning for the development of the real estate sector," Liu added.

With regard to climate change, Liu said: "China will honor its commitments to the international community, push for global cooperation on climate change, and work with other countries to tackle the serious challenges posed by climate change, and build a community with a shared future for mankind."

Liu also mentioned Beijing's recent policy shift on COVID-19 rules, saying the overall COVID-19 situation in China was steady, and 5 billion trips are expected to be made during the Chinese New Year, commencing on Jan 21.

WEF Managing Director Jeremy Jurgens, who listened to Liu's speech, said: "If you look back to when the vice-premier was last here in 2018, what you see is, despite the crisis, a continuation of the important underlying policies is there.

"Liu also stated that mutual understanding is the prerequisite for cooperation. This is more easily done in person than done digitally. I think that is an important signal that he personally came and met with other world leaders, and that helps build the foundations for enhancing cooperation we need today," he added.

What Jurgens also found important in Liu's speech was the mentioning of stabilization of the real estate sector.

"And after maybe some excessive exuberance earlier on, some real estate organizations were in unhealthy positions, and that's now kind of stabilized and we can hopefully see some resumption of a stronger domestic demand," he added.

John Beirne, vice-chair of research at think tank Asian Development Bank Institute, said: "Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He highlighted that the reopening of the Chinese economy, supported by macroeconomic policy stimulus, is expected to trigger rises in domestic consumption and investment.

"Positive spill-overs to growth trajectories abroad via trade channels can also be expected, given higher demand for imports in China," he continued. "In this way, China can play a key role in supporting the faltering global economy during 2023."

Beirne went on to say: "As well as providing a much-welcomed upbeat assessment of the economic outlook for China, Liu explained how financial stability risks in the property sector are being managed.

"In addition, Liu's comments on the importance of international cooperation and policy coordination are to be commended, notably in respect of China's commitment to global action on tackling climate change."

WANG MINGJIE in Davos, Switzerland