Group 1 - The article draws parallels between the current economic challenges faced by China and the 1997 financial crisis in South Korea, highlighting issues such as high local government debt, rising corporate leverage, and a declining GDP growth rate [1][8] - It emphasizes the similarities in international conditions, including geopolitical tensions and fluctuating oil prices, which echo the circumstances leading to the 1997 crisis [1][8] Group 2 - The mechanisms behind the 1997 crisis are analyzed, noting that the U.S. Federal Reserve's abrupt shift from a loose monetary policy to a tightening one triggered the crisis, with South Korea's corporate debt skyrocketing to alarming levels [3][5] - South Korea's dependency on the U.S. for political and military support is highlighted as a factor that compromised its economic sovereignty, leading to a liquidity crisis when international capital flowed back to the U.S. [5][6] Group 3 - The article discusses the severe consequences of the 1997 crisis, including a dramatic depreciation of the Korean won, a significant drop in the stock market, and the bankruptcy of major conglomerates [5][6] - It mentions the humiliating terms of the IMF bailout, which required South Korea to open its financial markets and allowed foreign entities to take control of local businesses, creating a dependency on international capital [6][8] Group 4 - The article concludes with a warning for China to learn from South Korea's experience, advocating for the maintenance of monetary policy independence, control over debt levels, and the establishment of a multi-layered defense system to safeguard economic stability [8]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the impact of the US-China trade war on China's economy, emphasizing the need for effective policy responses to external shocks and the importance of domestic demand stimulation in the current economic context [2][4][18]. Group 1: Economic Context and Historical Comparison - The article highlights the differences in China's economic development stages compared to previous crises, noting that per capita GDP has significantly increased, reaching approximately $13,451 in 2024, nearing high-income status [7]. - It compares the external demand shocks from the 1998 Asian Financial Crisis and the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, indicating that the average negative GDP impact was 0.63 percentage points from 1999-2001 and 1.87 percentage points from 2009-2011, totaling a cumulative impact of 5.6 percentage points [3]. - The current economic environment is characterized by a "strong supply, weak demand" scenario, with average GDP growth from 2022-2024 projected at 4.4%, significantly below potential growth rates [8][9]. Group 2: External Economic Environment - China's trade surplus reached a record high in 2024, with total exports amounting to $3.6 trillion and a surplus close to $1 trillion, accounting for approximately 36%-37% of global trade surplus [9][10]. - The article notes that the US has shifted from monetary to fiscal stimulus policies, leading to challenges in maintaining export growth and trade surpluses due to rising inflation and fiscal discipline concerns [10]. - The structure of China's trade surplus has diversified, with significant growth in high-tech product surpluses, indicating competitive advantages in both high and low-end products [11]. Group 3: Policy Responses and Recommendations - The article suggests that China should adopt direct measures to counteract the US's trade pressures while maintaining an open dialogue for resolution [18]. - It emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to stimulate domestic demand, particularly through targeted fiscal transfers to low-income populations, to enhance consumption and economic rebalancing [18]. - The article advocates for structural reforms to improve social security systems, which have historically supported consumption growth and reduced trade surplus levels [17].

Group 1 - The article outlines five significant fluctuations in the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) exchange rate against the US Dollar, highlighting historical events that influenced these changes [1] - In 1985, the Plaza Accord led to a substantial appreciation of the NTD from 36 to 28 against the USD between 1985 and 1988 [1] - The 1997 Asian Financial Crisis caused the NTD to depreciate from 27.5 to 32.6 by the end of the year, marking a general trend of depreciation [1] Group 2 - In 2015, a significant decline in Taiwan's exports and economic growth resulted in the NTD depreciating from 31.6 to 33.8, a decrease of approximately 6.96% [1] - The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 led to a shift in Taiwan's economic environment, with the NTD appreciating from 30.10 to 28.67, an increase of 4.7% [1] - Concerns over a potential US recession and the exposure of Taiwan's life insurance industry to USD assets have recently triggered hedging operations, causing the NTD to briefly surpass the 30 mark against the USD [1]