Chinese Economy: General News, Updates and Discussions

[ety]

I thought many in the West are praying that China's economy as in many countries is going to be forever stuck in the middle income trap, no hope of getting rich.

 

[Beijingwalker]

For a country of 1.4 billion population with vast unproductive deserts and mountains, this is quite remarkable.

 

[RealNapster]

I thought many in the West are praying that China's economy as in many countries is going to be forever stuck in the middle income trap, no hope of getting rich.

China income status will only keep increasing because

1. Its economy is still growing.
2. Its population growth have reduced alot and still reducing with each passing year.

So increasing GDP and decreasing population takes you higher on income status scale

 

[Nan Yang]

This is true

But I was in China last year

And for $10,000 a year in a mid Chinese city you live very comfortably

$24,000 gets you a very nice posh 3 bed apartment in Shenzhen where you have driverless taxis waiting at the bottom with police robots


$1 in China does very far

The standard of living in some cities in America are absolutely horrendous

I took a metro from my Hotel to Tang Dynasty Palace to see a show.

Cost me only 2 RMB ! That's only USD$0.28 .
It's even cheaper than in Malaysia where it would cost RM4. Or US$1.

 

[Beijingwalker]

China Exports Rise 14.1% in April as Trump-Xi Summit Looms in Beijing - News and Statistics - IndexBox

China's exports surged 14.1% in April 2026, exceeding forecasts and accelerating from March's 2.5% growth, as the country prepares for a high-stakes summit between President Trump and President Xi in Beijing. Imports rose 25.3%, while the ongoing Iran war and U.S. tariffs continue to shape trade...

www.indexbox.io

 

[Beijingwalker]

China soars in democratic perception ranking as US, Israel plummet: Poll​

Only four out of 97 countries hosting US bases said they view the military presence positively

MAY 10, 2026

(Photo credit: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty)

China is among the most democratic countries in the world, according to the perception of its own citizens, while the US is now among the most negatively perceived countries in the world, according to a new poll released on 10 May.

The survey, the Democracy Perception Index, was compiled by the Alliance of Democracies Foundation in Denmark.

It surveyed more than 94,000 respondents in 98 countries about their perceptions of their own governments on issues related to democracy. The survey ranked each country on a scale from +100 to –100.

China (+14) ranks alongside the Scandinavian countries (all + 20 or higher), Switzerland (+19), and India (+15) as among the countries whose citizens view their governments as "very positive" when it comes to democracy.

The ranking was based on responses to questions about elections, peaceful transitions, the rule of law, and free speech.

Let's start with what's always the highlight of the report: the actual ranking of countries based on democracy perception by their own people.

Which, this year, as a French man, is utterly depressing: France is now, according to the French people themselves, one of the least… pic.twitter.com/KM3BjYgJho

— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) May 10, 2026

The US ( -1), UK (-3), and Israel (-2) were all ranked in the "neutral" category based on the perceptions of their citizens regarding democracy, meaning there is roughly an equal number of their citizens who think they live in a democracy as those who do not.

In contrast, France (– 20), Russia (-21), Belarus (-9), Kazakhstan (-31), and Ukraine (-23) were ranked in the "very negative" category by their citizens.

"So, for better or worse, as far as people's perceptions are concerned, we now live in a world where China is one of the most democratic countries in the world and France one of the least," wrote French political commentator Arnoud Bertand on X in response to the survey.

The survey also asked 46,600 respondents in 85 countries about their perception of other countries.

According to the report's ranking, the global perception of the US has fallen for the second straight year.

The US is now in the top five worst-perceived countries in the world alongside Israel, North Korea, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Russia and China are both perceived more positively than the US, while Israel is viewed more negatively than any other country in the world.

The ⁠survey showed that net perception of the US had fallen to -16 percent from +22 percent two years ago, placing it behind Russia at -11 percent and China at +7 percent.

Another finding of the report that I found fascinating this year: there's now a higher perception of freedom of speech in China than in the immense majority of Western countries, including in the United States.

Meaning that when you ask the Chinese people, a higher proportion of… pic.twitter.com/SvsiK6Ijzr

— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) May 10, 2026

According to the Democracy Perception Index, only four countries continue to view the US positively: Japan, South Korea, Israel, and Ukraine.


The survey also asked residents of countries with US military bases if they view the presence of such bases positively. Of the 97 countries, respondents from only four said they approved of the US military presence.

Worldwide public opinion of Israel and the US has fallen since they initiated the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza in October 2023. US participation alongside Israel in the war on Iran has further damaged Washington's reputation.

The perception of Israel has even turned negative among US citizens, typically viewed as Israel's greatest supporters.

Some 60 percent of US adults have an unfavorable view of Israel, up from 53 percent last year, according to a Pew poll conducted in April.

Last but not least, the most interesting insight from the report is the absolute collapse of global public perception of the U.S.

According to the report's ranking on this, the U.S. is now in the top 5 worst perceived countries in the world alongside Israel (the worst), North… pic.twitter.com/B0VvjXhKTo

— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) May 10, 2026

 

[Fatman17]

China soars in democratic perception ranking as US, Israel plummet: Poll​

Only four out of 97 countries hosting US bases said they view the military presence positively

MAY 10, 2026

(Photo credit: Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty)

China is among the most democratic countries in the world, according to the perception of its own citizens, while the US is now among the most negatively perceived countries in the world, according to a new poll released on 10 May.

The survey, the Democracy Perception Index, was compiled by the Alliance of Democracies Foundation in Denmark.

It surveyed more than 94,000 respondents in 98 countries about their perceptions of their own governments on issues related to democracy. The survey ranked each country on a scale from +100 to –100.

China (+14) ranks alongside the Scandinavian countries (all + 20 or higher), Switzerland (+19), and India (+15) as among the countries whose citizens view their governments as "very positive" when it comes to democracy.

The ranking was based on responses to questions about elections, peaceful transitions, the rule of law, and free speech.


The US ( -1), UK (-3), and Israel (-2) were all ranked in the "neutral" category based on the perceptions of their citizens regarding democracy, meaning there is roughly an equal number of their citizens who think they live in a democracy as those who do not.

In contrast, France (– 20), Russia (-21), Belarus (-9), Kazakhstan (-31), and Ukraine (-23) were ranked in the "very negative" category by their citizens.

"So, for better or worse, as far as people's perceptions are concerned, we now live in a world where China is one of the most democratic countries in the world and France one of the least," wrote French political commentator Arnoud Bertand on X in response to the survey.

The survey also asked 46,600 respondents in 85 countries about their perception of other countries.

According to the report's ranking, the global perception of the US has fallen for the second straight year.

The US is now in the top five worst-perceived countries in the world alongside Israel, North Korea, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Russia and China are both perceived more positively than the US, while Israel is viewed more negatively than any other country in the world.

The ⁠survey showed that net perception of the US had fallen to -16 percent from +22 percent two years ago, placing it behind Russia at -11 percent and China at +7 percent.


According to the Democracy Perception Index, only four countries continue to view the US positively: Japan, South Korea, Israel, and Ukraine.


The survey also asked residents of countries with US military bases if they view the presence of such bases positively. Of the 97 countries, respondents from only four said they approved of the US military presence.

Worldwide public opinion of Israel and the US has fallen since they initiated the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza in October 2023. US participation alongside Israel in the war on Iran has further damaged Washington's reputation.

The perception of Israel has even turned negative among US citizens, typically viewed as Israel's greatest supporters.

Some 60 percent of US adults have an unfavorable view of Israel, up from 53 percent last year, according to a Pew poll conducted in April.

Nothing democratic about china one party system

 

[Beijingwalker]

Nothing democratic about china one party system

“democracy ” is all about perceptions, we Chinese are pramatic people, we don't blindly follow western mindset and values as you guys tend to do.

 

[Muji.Iqbal]

“democracy ” is all about perceptions, we Chinese are pramatic people, we don't blindly follow western mindset and values as you guys tend to do.

And there is no need to follow the Western democracy model either. Follow a government model that delivers justice and honesty throughout the country.

But I think democracy is better than monarchy or many other systems of government.

Anyways, I usually compare China to USA.

Thing is, China still has a lot of catching up to do in NOMINAL GDP.

China is $22 billion in Nominal GDP, USA is $31 billion. China still needs to do more to achieve even parity with USA.

Take this as constructive criticism.

 

[Nan Yang]

Nothing democratic about china one party system

Do you believe that United States multi party democracy is working for you?

If so, congratulations. You are part of US elite.

 

[Ali_Baba]

“democracy ” is all about perceptions, we Chinese are pramatic people, we don't blindly follow western mindset and values as you guys tend to do.

For now, the Chinese system seems to work for China, and as such there is no pressing need to replace it. Over time, the needs of the people may change and that would need to be reflected in the political system when required.

 

[ety]

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[Pakistan Space Agency]

European industry is dead just like America's, there's no way to bring back an already dead person back to life.

It is not dead. It's at its peak with no room left to grow.

Europe is fully developed and It's growth is only limited by its low population.

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

Yes and I hope so. BUT China is still quite behind USA in Nominal GDP.

China is $21,000,000

USA is $32,000,000. This is Nominal GDP.

China still has a lot of catching up to do.

If China increases its population count to 1.8 billion people it could surpass USA in NOMINAL GDP.

One child policy is not a smart move. Pulling people out of poverty was smart by the Chinese.

A larger population drives the economy.

I don't think China needs to grow it's population, it just needs to keep growing at the rate it is growing. It's more than sufficient for them.

In PPP terms, China surpassed the US in 2018.

However, the US on the other hand will need to increase it's population if it wants to grow at the rate it is growing today or the Nominal GDP gap with China will start decreasing.

 

[ety]

China discusses five preliminary achievements in China-US trade consultations, agreeing in principle to reduce tariffs on products of equivalent size.​

Written by: Cheng Yihua
publishing: 2026-05-16 20:26 renew: 2026-05-16 20:30

On May 16, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce outlined the initial results of the China-US trade consultations. According to the spokesperson, these results mainly included five aspects: the two sides will discuss issues such as tariff reductions on relevant products through the Trade Council; they agreed in principle to reduce tariffs on an equivalent scale of products of mutual concern; and the two sides agreed to promote the expansion of two-way trade, including agricultural products, through arrangements such as mutual tariff reductions on a certain range of products.

The spokesperson stated that the meeting between the Chinese and US heads of state in Beijing, during which they discussed trade and economic issues in depth, further charted the course and provided strategic guidance for the development of bilateral trade and economic relations. President Xi Jinping pointed out that the essence of China-US trade and economic relations is mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. The overall balanced and positive results achieved by the trade and economic teams of the two countries are good news for the people of both countries and for the world. Both sides should work together to maintain the hard-won positive momentum.

On May 15, 2026, at Zhongnanhai Garden in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) shakes hands with visiting US President Donald Trump (right) after his visit. (Reuters)

China stated that on May 13, the Chinese and US trade teams held trade consultations in South Korea, preparing for the meeting between the two heads of state in the economic and trade field. During the consultations, guided by the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and adhering to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, both sides conducted frank, in-depth, and constructive exchanges and consultations on resolving trade and economic issues of mutual concern and further expanding pragmatic cooperation. Subsequently, the two sides held intensive consultations on the specific details of the outcomes and reached positive consensus.

The initial results achieved by both sides in the economic and trade field mainly include the following aspects:

First, both sides should continue to implement the results of previous consultations and reach a positive consensus on relevant tariff arrangements.

Second, both sides agreed to establish a Trade Council and an Investment Council to discuss their respective concerns in the areas of trade and investment. The two sides will discuss issues such as tariff reductions on relevant products through the Trade Council and have agreed in principle to reduce tariffs on products of equal size of concern to each other.

Third, both sides will address or substantially promote the resolution of some non-tariff barriers and market access issues related to agricultural products. The U.S. will actively promote the resolution of China's long-standing concerns regarding the automatic detention of dairy and aquatic products, the export of potted plants to the U.S., and the designation of Shandong as a bird flu-free zone. China will also actively promote the resolution of U.S. concerns regarding the registration of beef processing facilities and the export of poultry from certain states to China.

Fourth, both sides agreed to promote the expansion of two-way trade in areas including agricultural products through arrangements such as mutual tariff reductions on a certain range of products.

Fifth, both sides reached relevant arrangements on China's purchase of aircraft from the United States and the United States' guarantee of the supply of aircraft engines and parts to China, and agreed to continue to promote cooperation in related fields.

On January 21, 2021, the Chinese and American flags fluttered in the wind outside an American company building in Beijing, China. (Reuters)

The spokesperson stated that the positive results achieved in the China-US trade consultations demonstrate that both sides, adhering to the principles of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, can find solutions to problems through dialogue and cooperation. Currently, both sides are still consulting on the details of the relevant outcomes. The trade teams from both sides will, in accordance with the consensus reached by the two heads of state, finalize the outcomes as soon as possible and work together to ensure their implementation, injecting more certainty and stability into the next stage of China-US trade cooperation and the world economy.

---So, no agreement on China purchasing US soya beans and oil and LNG.---

中方談中美經貿磋商5方面初步成果　原則同意對同等規模產品降稅

中國商務部新聞發言人5月16日講述中美經貿磋商初步成果，根據發言人所指，此主要有5方面，包括雙方將通過貿易理事會討論有關產品降稅等問題，原則

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