14-07-2022 13:30
EPRS online policy roundtable: Is China's economy in decline?

Policy Roundtables and Book Talks EPRS
Live event via the Webex Events platform
EPRS online event on 14 July
EPRS online roundtable on 14 July © European Parliament EP/E

Full title: Is China's economy in decline? Long-term trends, vulnerabilities, reform agenda

Following the publication of a recent in-depth-analysis on ‘Stresses and Contradictions in the Chinese economy in the early 2020s’ produced for the EPRS by Jacob Kirkegaard (PIIE and GMF), this roundtable will look into the main obstacles to China’s growth performance in the short-to medium-term.

Under the current geopolitical and economic environment, China's economy faces an array of challenges, including demographic decline, unsustainable investment growth, inequalities, the pandemic and the ecological transition. Reforms, which experts maintain are needed, have not been implemented for years. Against this backdrop, speakers will assess the relative impact of those challenges, outline the resistance factors that impede reform and draw conclusions about the implications of the 'reform inertia' for the power held by President Xi. The panel will also share insights regarding the domestic and international political implications of China's economic course. It will particularly focus on the consequences for the EU and possible EU reactions. The debate will be preceded by a keynote speech by the Chair of the EP's Delegation for Relations with the People's Republic of China and by a presentation of the study by its author.