Jens Weidmann: It’s ‘Illusion’ to Think Euro Bonds Will Fix Crisis
Asia Channel: Latest Posts
-
Asia
Further Thoughts on Real Estate’s Impact on China GDP
In my previous post, I offered a rough-and-ready estimate of the impact that a real estate slowdown could potentially have on China’s impressive rate of GDP growth. Based on some of the official figures for 2011, released earlier this week, I concluded that a mere leveling off (zero percent growth) in property investment — much [...]
-
Asia
Japan, Revisted
I haven’t had a chance to comment on the recent debate regarding Japan’s lost decades, so I am coming to the party a bit late. A view is forming that the situation is not as dire as many believe. Paul Krugman notes: This picture suggests that the Japanese economy was indeed depressed for about [...]
-
RGE Analysts
Backdoor Fiscal Stimulus in India
A report by the Financial Times on January 18 indicates that the government of India is planning a fiscal stimulus to the extent of US$35 billion during FY2013, to jumpstart a lacklustre economy that’s slowing down alarmingly amidst growing negative perceptions about political logjams, policy paralysis and corruption. As per the report, “the government of [...]
-
Asia
China’s 2011 GDP Numbers
The other day, China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released the end-of-the-year GDP figures of 2011. According to official tallies, China’s GDP grew 8.9% in the 4th Quarter, a steady but modest decline compared to 9.7% in Q1, 9.5% in Q2, and 9.1% in Q3. GDP growth for the full year was 9.2%. I was [...]
-
Asia
China Data, Part 2: Slowing Growth
As China enters 2012, concerns that its economy may face a “hard landing” have entered the mainstream. In recent weeks, Paul Krugman (“Will China Break?” in the New York Times) and Robert Samuelson (“China’s Coming Slump?” in the Washington Post) both penned hand-wringing op-eds warning of an impending Chinese downturn. It’s interesting to see the [...]
-
Asia
How Much of US Consumables Are Made in China?
Wanna start an interesting discussion at a dinner party? Ask people how much of what we consume in the US comes from or is manufactured in China. Over the weekend, I had a discussion with a chum from UBS about wide public misconceptions. My example was the idea China is the primary funder of US [...]
-
Asia
CNBC: Predictions for U.S. and China in 2012
-
Asia
China’s Top 10 Business Stories in 2011
As the year comes to a close, and we look forward to 2012, I continue the tradition I started last year and offer a brief look at the top stories that shaped China’s business and economic climate in 2011: 1. High-Speed Rail. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times — China’s ambitious high-speed rail [...]
-
Asia
A Small Proposal to Rebalance the Global Economy: Just Let China Grow
Many take as fact that the current pattern of global imbalances — large and persistent trade deficits and surpluses across different parts of the world, eventually unsustainable — is due to China and the rest of East Asia consuming too little and saving too much. Since the global economy is a closed trading system, trade [...]
-
Asia
Bangladesh Economy: The Big Picture
Economy is no longer a business of economists alone. Both the prime minister and the opposition leader have offered contrasting views about the state of the economy. Amidst much confusion it is imperative to know which way the economy is headed. There is no denying that the economy faces some short-term challenges — persistent double-digit [...]
