21专访丨上海财经大学校长刘元春：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 the impact of high tariffs from the U.S. [1][2] - Retail sales of consumer goods showed a rebound, supported by policies encouraging the replacement of old products [1][2] Investment Trends - Investment growth has slowed, particularly in infrastructure and manufacturing, with real estate investment continuing to decline [1][4] - The profit margins of large industrial enterprises have decreased compared to the previous year, indicating a decline in investment returns [4] - There is a need for stronger investment policies to support growth, as private investment has turned negative [4] Export and Trade Dynamics - Exports in the first half of the year increased by 5.9% year-on-year in dollar terms, outperforming expectations despite ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. [3] - The competitiveness of Chinese products has improved, transitioning from a traditional extensive development model to a more innovative and intensive approach [3] Consumer Spending Outlook - Consumer spending is expected to maintain steady growth, supported by various policies including a 1.38 billion yuan fund for replacing old consumer goods [4][7] - Long-term strategies to boost consumption include increasing residents' income and improving social security systems [8] Real Estate Market - The real estate market is experiencing increased sales area and sales volume declines, necessitating stronger measures to stabilize the market [9][10] - Policies to support real estate developers, such as debt restructuring and inventory management, are expected to be implemented [9][10] Policy Recommendations - A more proactive fiscal policy and moderately loose monetary policy are essential to stimulate demand and improve market expectations [5][6] - The government may consider interest rate cuts to alleviate the financial burden on enterprises [6] Market Competition and Regulation - There is a need to address "involution" in competition, which has led to disorderly price competition and reduced investment returns [11] - Regulatory measures should be implemented to ensure fair pricing and restore market self-regulation capabilities [11]