China's economy softens in August as Beijing continues to grapple with lagging demand
Workers load and pack gift boxes for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, outside a supermarket in Beijing on Sept. 11, 2024. Credit: AP/Andy Wong
BEIJING — China’s economy softened in August, extending a slowdown in industrial activity and real estate prices as Beijing faces pressure to ramp up spending to stimulate demand.
Data published by the National Bureau of Statistics Saturday showed weakening activity across industrial production, retail sales and real estate this month compared to July.
“We should be aware that the adverse impacts arising from the changes in the external environment are increasing,” said Liu Aihua, the bureau’s chief economist in a news conference.
Liu said that demand remained insufficient at home, and the sustained economic recovery still confronts multiple difficulties and challenges.
China has been grappling with a lagging economy post-COVID, with weak consumer demand, persistent deflationary pressures and a contraction in factory activity.
Chinese leaders have ramped up investment in manufacturing to rev up an economy that stalled during the pandemic and is still growing slower than hoped.
Beijing also has to deal with increasing pressure to implement large-scale stimulus measures to boost economic growth.
A worker loads shared bikes from a truck on a roadside in Beijing on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. Credit: AP/Andy Wong
While industrial production rose by 4.5% in August compared to a year ago, it declined from July's 5.1% growth, according to the bureau's data released.
Retail sales grew 2.1% from the same time last year, slower than the 2.7% increase last month.
Fixed asset investment rose by 3.4% from January to August, down from 3.6% in the first seven months.
Meanwhile, investment in real estate declined by 10.2% from January to August, compared to last year.
A woman sets up mannequins displaying winter clothes near a booth promoting China made clothing in Beijing on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Credit: AP/Andy Wong
The figures released Saturday come after trade data for August saw imports grow just 0.5% compared to a year ago.
The consumer price index rose 0.6% in August, missing forecasts according to data released Monday. Officials attributed the higher CPI to an increase in food prices due to bad weather.
But the core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, rose by just 0.3% in August, the slowest in over three years.
Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
