Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The discussion revolves around the Chinese fiscal system, which consists of four main accounts: General Public Budget (60% share), Government Funds (20% share), State Capital Operating Income, and Social Security Fund. [1][3] Core Insights and Arguments - The General Public Budget is primarily tax-based, with VAT, consumption tax, corporate income tax, and personal income tax contributing approximately 70% of total tax revenue. The reliance on indirect taxes has historically supported production development but may require reform in the current economic context. [1][4][5] - Government Funds mainly derive from land transfer income, which is utilized for real estate and infrastructure spending. [1][9][10] - The Social Security Fund faces a funding gap, relying on fiscal subsidies to cover deficits, which may widen due to an aging population, increasing fiscal pressure. [1][13] - The broad deficit rate in China is nearing historical highs, similar to Japan's situation over the past 30 years, indicating that rapid reductions in the deficit are unlikely without structural economic adjustments and inflation recovery. [1][16][18] - The fiscal policy's effectiveness has gained prominence due to the diminishing impact of monetary policy, particularly in light of changes in the real estate market and household leverage. [2] Important but Overlooked Content - The first account's expenditures are primarily directed towards social security, employment, education, and healthcare, with infrastructure spending decreasing. The deficit remains a concern, with revenues around 21 to 22 trillion yuan and expenditures approximately 27 trillion yuan. [8] - The second account, Government Funds, is heavily reliant on land sales, which constitute about 80% of its income, indicating a significant dependency on real estate for local government financing. [9][10] - The third account, State Capital Operating Income, has seen an increase in profit remittance from state-owned enterprises, with the remittance ratio reaching 50% in 2023. [11] - The fourth account, which includes social insurance, reported a deficit of about 2 trillion yuan in 2023, highlighting the challenges posed by demographic changes. [12][13] - The overall leverage ratio in China is relatively low compared to the US and Japan, suggesting potential for increased leverage, but structural reforms are necessary to ensure effective fund utilization and mitigate future deleveraging pressures. [19] Future Outlook - The fiscal policy is expected to have a significant impact on macroeconomic data in the first half of 2025, with a projected issuance of 14 trillion yuan in government bonds, an increase of 4 trillion yuan year-on-year. However, a reduction in issuance is anticipated in the second half, which may lead to a decline in related economic indicators. [21] - The third quarter will focus on the implementation of policy financial tools, with an expected scale of 300 to 500 billion yuan, and the fourth quarter may see new fiscal measures to stabilize market expectations and improve the economic fundamentals. [21]