Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the persistent low inflation and deflationary pressures in China's economy, highlighting the need for targeted macroeconomic policies to address the underlying issues of insufficient effective demand and overcapacity [4][5][6]. Demand Analysis - Insufficient effective demand is primarily characterized by a lack of consumption demand with purchasing power, which is influenced by stagnant or declining income levels [5]. - The main source of household income is wage income, which has been negatively impacted by high youth unemployment rates and declining job quality [5]. - The decline in real estate prices has worsened household balance sheets, leading to increased savings rates and suppressed consumption [5][6]. Investment Demand - Investment demand is weak, reflected in reduced corporate investments and declining local government investment capabilities [6]. - Corporate revenue has been declining due to market sluggishness and increased competition, leading to lower investment demand [6]. - Local governments face fiscal constraints due to reduced land sales and related tax revenues, further limiting their investment capacity [6]. Supply Analysis - The current overcapacity issue is exacerbated by the "involution" phenomenon, which reflects a lack of effective market clearing mechanisms [6][7]. - The failure of the price clearing mechanism has resulted in persistent overcapacity, as firms are not incentivized to exit the market despite losses [7][9]. Policy Recommendations - To stabilize prices, it is essential to stabilize income, which hinges on employment and corporate stability [7]. - The focus of fiscal policy should shift from "heavy investment" to "heavy consumption," emphasizing direct support for consumer spending [7]. - Stabilizing the real estate market is crucial, as its decline negatively impacts the balance sheets of households, businesses, and local governments [8]. - Addressing the "involution" issue requires reconstructing market clearing mechanisms to ensure that supply and demand can adjust effectively [9][10]. Structural Reforms - Structural reforms are necessary to enhance the market exit mechanisms for inefficient firms, particularly state-owned enterprises [10]. - The alignment of fiscal powers and responsibilities at the local government level is critical to prevent the maintenance of inefficient capacities [10]. - Introducing competition policies across various sectors will ensure equal access and exit for all market participants [10].

Economic Overview - Despite rising global trade friction costs, China's economic data in May showed strong resilience, with social retail sales increasing by 6.3% year-on-year and industrial added value growing by 5.8% year-on-year, suggesting a GDP growth rate of around 5.2% in the second quarter, making it feasible to achieve the annual growth target of 5% [1][7] - However, from January to May, industrial enterprise profits declined by 1.1% year-on-year, a drop of 2.5 percentage points from the previous month, indicating multiple challenges in the transition from economic stabilization to profit recovery [1][7] Analysis of Profit Decline - The key reason for the weakening of enterprise profits is low prices, with the Producer Price Index (PPI) showing a cumulative year-on-year decline of 2.6% from January to May and a single-month decline of 3.3% in May, leading to a year-on-year drop in industrial profit margins by 4.24% [2][9] - On the supply side, manufacturing investment has consistently outpaced overall fixed asset investment, leading to capacity expansion primarily in high-tech sectors, making it difficult to execute capacity reduction in emerging manufacturing fields [2][12] - On the demand side, external demand is constrained by factors such as U.S. inventory replenishment, uncertainty in total demand, and increased tariff rates, while domestic consumption growth relies heavily on policies like trade-in programs and preemptive sales events [2][15] Policy Response and Market Impact - In the context of weak demand, enterprises face inventory reduction pressures, making price recovery crucial. Policies need to enhance counter-cyclical adjustments to promote price recovery and correct discrepancies in macro and micro expectations [2][19] - Before clear policy signals emerge, bonds hold investment value, while the stock market may benefit from improved liquidity and sentiment recovery, although a steady upward trend relies on continuous improvement in corporate profits [2][19]