PDO Biz Podcast


The on-going economic reforms have been receiving a great deal of attention both in and out of China. Reforming China's financial sector is widely regarded as a key factor in facilitating China's rebalancing away from an export-driven to consumption-led economy and sustaining strong economic growth.


It is beyond doubt that China is determined to implement the economic reforms even though its economy may grow slowly. What is also beyond question is the US' status as the world's most developed economy. In economic reforms, are there any experiences that China can borrow from the US?


Stephen Roach, former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, believes that the potential of China's consumer market is huge, and the world's most populous nation will outstrip the growth of any consumer market in the world. We recently asked him how he comes to that conclusion.


China's transition to a consumption-led economy is good news for the world, as some major economies such as the U.S. and euro zone are in desperate need of new sources of growth and job creation. The question here is, how long will it take for China to finish the transition and build a modern consumer society?


China's transition to a consumer economy is good news for foreign businesses, since it will make China the largest consumer market in the world. And in the eyes of Doug Guthrie, professor at GWU, some foreign companies have already seen the potential of the Chinese market, despite China's rising labor costs.


It is widely recognized that China's magnificent growth story was built on an export-led model. And some Western countries have always blamed China for its large trade imbalance. But Doug Guthrie, tenured professor of International Business at The George Washington University, thinks differently.


Previously, we asked J.P. Morgan managing director Jing Ulrich about whether consumption could be a key driver of economic growth. Ulrich's answer is yes. However, Doug Guthrie, professor of International Business at GWU, believes that in order to make the transition, China has some challenges to overcome.


What steps are needed to build a modern consumer society in China? Steven Roach, former chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, believes there are three building blocks: providing greater stimulus to the services sector; a significant further push toward urbanization and improving the social safety net.
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