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 the second quarter, the economy grew by 5.2% year-on-year, with exports increasing by 7.2%, indicating resilience despite external pressures [1][5] - Consumer retail sales showed a rebound due to policies promoting the replacement of old goods, while investment growth slowed, particularly in infrastructure and real estate [1][5] Investment Insights - Investment growth has declined, with significant drops in real estate and infrastructure investments, and private investment turning negative [7] - The need for stronger investment policies is emphasized, as industrial profits and profit margins have decreased compared to the previous year [7][8] - The government is expected to implement supportive policies to stabilize investment, particularly in the face of declining returns [7][12] Consumption Trends - Consumption is projected to maintain steady growth, supported by various policies including a 1.38 billion yuan fund for replacing old goods [8][14] - Long-term strategies to boost consumption include improving social security systems and increasing residents' income [8][15] - 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 [14] Real Estate Market - The real estate market is experiencing significant downward pressure, with sales and investment declining [15][16] - Policies are being developed to stabilize the market, including debt management for developers and promoting new housing demand through urban renewal projects [16][18] - The government is expected to enhance financing support for real estate companies and encourage debt restructuring to improve liquidity [16][18] Policy Recommendations - A more proactive fiscal policy and moderate monetary policy are necessary to address low demand and support economic recovery [10][12] - The focus should be on maintaining strong fiscal spending and potentially lowering interest rates to alleviate financial pressures on businesses [10][12] - Addressing "involution" in competition is crucial to restore market dynamics and improve investment returns [11][18]