China’s central bank has taken significant steps to revitalize the country’s struggling economy by implementing measures to stimulate growth. In an effort to combat the ongoing challenges faced by the economy, the central bank announced a reduction in the reserve requirement ratio and a lowering of a key interest rate.
The Chinese economy, as the world’s second-largest, has been grappling with the aftermath of the pandemic, compounded by issues such as a property sector debt crisis, deflationary pressure, and high unemployment. Despite the challenges, the country’s leadership has set an ambitious goal of achieving five percent growth by 2024, a target that analysts view with cautious optimism given the current economic headwinds.
During a news conference in Beijing, central bank chief Pan Gongsheng outlined the measures that would be implemented to bolster growth. These measures include reducing the reserve requirement ratio and policy interest rate, with the aim of driving down the market benchmark interest rate. Pan stated that the reserve requirement ratio would be cut by 0.5 percentage points in the near future, injecting approximately a trillion yuan (US$141.7 billion) of long-term liquidity into the financial market.
In addition to reducing the reserve requirement ratio, Beijing will also lower the interest rates of existing mortgage loans and unify the down payment ratios for mortgage loans. This move is intended to stimulate borrowing and investment in the property sector, a key driver of China’s economic growth. By guiding commercial banks to lower interest rates on existing mortgage loans to align with rates on newly issued loans, the central bank aims to encourage consumer spending and boost economic activity.
The announcement of these measures had an immediate positive impact on the stock markets in Hong Kong and Shanghai, with shares rallying at the open on Tuesday. The property and construction sectors have traditionally been significant contributors to China’s GDP, but they have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years. Tightening credit access for developers, coupled with falling property prices, has put strain on the sector, leading to financial difficulties for major companies like China Evergrande and Country Garden.
In response to the sector’s woes, Beijing has introduced a series of measures to support the property market, including reducing the minimum down payment rate for first-time homebuyers and suggesting potential government intervention in commercial real estate. The government is also addressing concerns about local government debt, which has reached a staggering US$5.6 trillion, posing risks to economic stability.
Director of the National Administration of Financial Regulation, Li Yunze, emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing real estate and local government debt risks. He assured that China’s financial industry, particularly large financial institutions, is operating steadily and that risks are under control. Li stressed the importance of maintaining vigilance against systemic financial risks to safeguard economic stability.
Overall, the central bank’s decision to cut the reserve requirement ratio and key interest rate reflects the government’s proactive approach to revitalizing the economy. By injecting liquidity into the financial market and incentivizing borrowing and investment, China aims to stimulate growth and overcome the challenges posed by the ongoing economic downturn.