21专访｜刘元春：下半年中国经济新逻辑，准财政工具加力稳增长

Economic Overview - China's GDP exceeded 66 trillion yuan in the first half of the year, growing by 5.3% year-on-year, laying a solid foundation for the annual target of around 5% [1] - In Q2, the economy grew by 5.2% year-on-year, with exports increasing by 7.2%, indicating resilience despite external pressures [1][3] - Investment growth has slowed, particularly in infrastructure and manufacturing, while the decline in real estate investment has widened [1][5] Export and Trade - Exports in the first half of the year increased by 5.9% year-on-year in USD terms, outperforming expectations, attributed to a shift towards more innovative and competitive products [4] - Despite potential pressures from US tariffs, China's export competitiveness remains strong, and the impact of external factors may be less severe than anticipated [4] Investment Trends - Investment growth is expected to decline due to lower returns and the impact of anti-"involution" measures, necessitating stronger policy support [5] - Industrial profits and profit margins have decreased compared to the previous year, indicating a need for investment policies to stimulate growth [5] Consumer Spending - Consumer spending is projected to maintain steady growth, supported by policies such as the 1.38 billion yuan "old-for-new" subsidy and potential increases in social security and pensions [5][9] - The overall consumption market is estimated to be around 80 trillion yuan, with the 3 billion yuan stimulus being a relatively small part of the total [9] Real Estate Market - The real estate market is experiencing increased sales area and sales volume declines, with investment reductions expected to continue [10][11] - Policies aimed at stabilizing the real estate market will focus on debt management for developers and encouraging inventory reduction through financial support [10][11] Policy Recommendations - A more proactive fiscal policy and moderate monetary policy are necessary to address low demand and improve market expectations [6][8] - The government is expected to accelerate the issuance of special bonds and introduce policy financial tools to support investment in new urbanization and real estate [11][12] Market Competition - The need to address "involution" in competition is highlighted, with a focus on restoring market regulation and promoting fair competition [12][13] - Regulatory measures are suggested to prevent irrational pricing behaviors and ensure a healthy competitive environment [12][13]