Core Viewpoint - The article highlights two significant economic characteristics continuing from last year: strong exports but weak consumption, and notable volume growth but weak pricing. Attention should be paid to changes in these characteristics as trade tensions escalate and more consumption-boosting measures are expected post the March Two Sessions [2][4]. Group 1: Export and Consumption - Exports are expected to remain strong, with a projected year-on-year growth of 4%-5% in January-February in USD terms. Factors supporting this include companies "rushing to export" and high-frequency data indicating strong performance [4][12]. - Consumption is anticipated to be weak, with retail sales growth expected around 3.0%, down from 3.7% in December. This is influenced by the post-Spring Festival consumption dip and a decline in automobile sales growth [5][17]. Group 2: Price Trends and Economic Growth - CPI is projected to decline to around -0.8% year-on-year in February, with PPI also expected to remain negative. This is attributed to weak food prices and a post-holiday drop in core CPI [6][9]. - GDP growth for the first quarter is estimated to be between 5.2%-5.3%, with strong performance expected in finance, industry, and information sectors [6][11]. Group 3: Investment and Financial Data - Fixed asset investment growth is projected at 4.5% for January-February, driven by early-year investment activity and a rebound in construction projects [6][15]. - Financial data indicates accelerated government bond issuance, with new social financing expected to reach 3 trillion, significantly higher than the previous year [7][18].

Core Viewpoint - The current economic situation in China is characterized by a cyclical downturn coupled with structural issues, necessitating measures to avoid the multiplier effect of a declining real estate market and to improve the economic structure [2][28]. Economic Growth and Policy Expectations - The GDP growth target for 2025 is expected to remain around 5% [4][92]. - The policy multiplier effect in 2025 is anticipated to be better than in 2024, with expectations for new initiatives in fiscal reform, budget investment, monetary policy, high-quality development, and technological innovation during the upcoming Two Sessions [3][90]. Monetary Policy Outlook - In 2025, a reserve requirement ratio (RRR) cut of 1 percentage point and interest rate cuts totaling 0.75 percentage points are expected, likely implemented in 2-3 phases [5][78]. - The downward trend in interest rates is projected to positively impact the stability of the real estate and stock markets, contributing to a prosperous capital market in 2025 [5][80]. Structural Issues and Consumption - The global economy faces severe structural problems, including geopolitical conflicts and economic disparities, which also affect China's economic landscape [26][24]. - There is a need to enhance consumption and expand domestic demand, particularly as the wealth effect from real estate diminishes [29][30]. Real Estate Market Dynamics - The real estate sector is undergoing a mean reversion process, with a prolonged adjustment period expected due to previous overvaluation [52][54]. - The contribution of real estate to GDP was significant, accounting for 25% during its peak, and its decline will have widespread negative impacts on various industries [32][34]. Investment and Consumption Trends - Investment returns are declining, leading to a contraction in expansion plans among households and private enterprises [30][46]. - Consumption is identified as a slow variable, contrasting with investment as a fast variable, indicating a need for structural improvements to stimulate long-term demand [41][44]. Fiscal Policy Recommendations - There is a call for increased fiscal stimulus, particularly in consumer spending, with suggestions to raise the fiscal deficit level and leverage central government finances [66][67]. - The current central government leverage is relatively low compared to other countries, indicating room for fiscal expansion [70][71]. Capital Market Outlook - The capital market is expected to thrive in 2025, supported by robust policy measures and a stable GDP growth environment [93][88]. - The focus on income distribution reform could significantly enhance consumption, with potential contributions estimated at around 200 billion annually if middle and low-income groups see an increase in their income share [84][85].

Global Economy and Inflation - Global economic activity is on the rise, with the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) averaging 894.6 points as of February 21, 2025, an increase of 103.00 points from the previous week [3][14] - The CRB Commodity Price Index averaged 314.99 points for the week, up by 2.53 points, indicating rising inflation levels [3][18] Domestic Economy and Inflation - China's official manufacturing PMI for January 2025 is at 49.1%, a decrease of 1.0 percentage points from the previous month, indicating economic contraction [4][23] - The average price of pork in China was 27.58 yuan per kilogram as of February 13, 2025, down by 0.66 yuan from the previous week, reflecting stable inflation [4][31] Industrial Production - The operating rate of high furnaces in China was 77.66% as of February 21, 2025, a decrease of 0.34 percentage points from the previous week [5][40] - The operating rate for rebar steel mills increased to 39.68%, up by 4.92 percentage points, indicating a mixed trend in industrial production [5][41] Consumption - Essential goods consumption remains stable, with the Keqiao Textile Price Index at 104.07 points, down by 0.24 points [6][53] - The average daily sales of passenger cars in China increased to 52,700 units as of February 16, 2025, up by 28,300 units from the previous week, indicating a rise in discretionary spending [6][58] Investment - Real estate transactions in 30 major cities averaged 21.49 million square meters per week as of February 23, 2025, an increase of 4.35 million square meters [7][62] - The domestic sales of excavators in January 2025 were 5,405 units, a slight decrease of 16 units year-on-year, indicating stabilization in infrastructure investment [7][67] Exports - The export container freight index was 1,318.71 points as of February 21, 2025, a decrease of 68.45 points, reflecting challenges in the export sector [8][76] - The foreign trade cargo throughput at major Chinese ports was 21,956.2 million tons, an increase of 3,246 million tons from the previous week [8][77] Emerging Industries - The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index averaged 5,251.19 points as of February 21, 2025, an increase of 137.04 points, indicating rising sentiment in the semiconductor sector [9][79] - The sales of new energy vehicles in China reached 943,703 units in January 2025, an increase of 214,386 units year-on-year, reflecting growth in the new energy sector [9][88]

Global Economy and Inflation - Global economic activity is on the rise, with the Baltic Dry Index (BDI) averaging 791.6 points as of February 14, 2025, an increase of 17.60 points from the previous week [3][14] - The CRB Commodity Price Index averaged 312.46 points during the same period, up by 4.23 points week-on-week, indicating rising inflation levels [3][18] Domestic Economy and Inflation - China's official manufacturing PMI for January 2025 is at 49.1%, down 1.0 percentage points from the previous month, indicating a contraction in manufacturing activity [4][23] - The average price of pork in China was 28.24 yuan per kilogram as of February 6, 2025, a decrease of 0.06 yuan from the previous week, reflecting stable inflation [4][31] Industrial Production - The operating rate of high furnaces in China was 78% as of February 14, 2025, unchanged from the previous week, indicating stable industrial production [5][39] - The operating rate for rebar in major steel mills increased by 0.64 percentage points to 34.76% [5][40] Consumption - Essential goods consumption remains stable, with the Keqiao Textile Price Index at 104.07 points as of January 27, 2025, down 0.24 points from the previous week [6][52] - The average daily sales of passenger cars in China decreased to 24,400 units as of February 9, 2025, down by 40,700 units from the previous week, indicating a decline in discretionary spending [6][57] Investment - Real estate transactions in 30 major cities averaged 164,900 square meters per day as of February 16, 2025, an increase of 71,000 square meters from the previous week [7][61] - The operating rate of PTA in China was 82.33% as of February 13, 2025, up by 1.04 percentage points, indicating a strengthening manufacturing sector [7][43] Exports - The export container freight index was 1,387.16 points as of February 14, 2025, down by 27.87 points, reflecting a slight decline in export activity [8][75] - The foreign trade cargo throughput at major Chinese ports was 18,710.3 million tons for the week ending February 9, 2025, an increase of 3.46 million tons from the previous week [8][76] Emerging Industries - The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index reached an average of 5,114.15 points as of February 14, 2025, an increase of 95.19 points, indicating a rising sentiment in the semiconductor sector [9][78] - The production of integrated circuits in China for the year ending December 2024 was 45,142,296.5 million pieces, up 22.20% year-on-year, reflecting strong growth in the electronics sector [9][83]