8月6日，驻卡拉奇总领事李碧建在巴基斯坦《商业纪事报》发表题为《中国的增长——全球经济复苏的压舱石》署名文章。
文章指出，今年上半年，中国统筹推进疫情防控和经济社会发展各项工作，疫情防控形势持续向好，复工复产加快推进，二季度实现3.2%的增长，经济运行呈现诸多亮点：主要经济指标回升，市场预期总体向好；农业增长强劲，工业生产复苏势头明显；服务业降幅收窄，市场销售逐渐回暖；投资快速恢复，新动能不断增强；外贸外资企稳回升，国际收支基本平衡；全国城镇调查失业率连续2个月下降以及脱贫攻坚成效突出。
文章强调，为克服疫情不利影响，推动经济全面回归常态增长，中国果断决策，出台了系列应对举措，包括创新实施宏观调控，通过减税降费和加大转移支付支持地方；持续推出助企纾困政策，减轻市场主体经营负担；积极扩大有效投资，重点支持“两新一重”建设；聚焦重点人群就业帮扶，加大基本民生保障力度；深化激发市场活力改革，强化为市场主体服务以及稳住外贸外资基本盘，优化对外贸企业服务。
文章认为，“它山之石，可以攻玉”。中国在应对疫情和恢复经济过程中所采取的有效措施为同样面临疫情挑战的国家提供了良好示范和新的政策选择空间。作为全球第二大经济体和第一大消费市场，中国经济的增长为世界经济复苏注入了活力。
原文如下：
China’s growth
In the first half of this year, the entire Chinese nation coordinated the promotion of pandemic prevention and control and economic and social development. The pandemic situation continues to improve, and the resumption of work and production accelerates. China’s economic growth recorded 3.2% in the second quarter, and the main highlights are as follows: First, the main economic indicators have rebounded, and the market expects an overall improvement. In the second quarter, the value-added of industrial enterprises above designated size and value-added of the service industry both changed from negative to positive. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) has risen steadily and been above the threshold for four consecutive months. Liquidity is generally reasonable and abundant, and confidence in the capital market has increased. Second, agriculture sector witnesses a robust growth and grain output has hit a record high. The recovery of industrial production is evident, and the industrial physical quantity index continues to rise. Third, the decline in the service industry has narrowed, and market sales have gradually recovered. Fourth, investment is rapidly recovering and new momentum continues to increase. Key investment projects have accelerated, high-tech and social investment fields have developed well, and the related products such as new infrastructure have grown rapidly. In 1H, retail sales of commodities online increased by 14.3% y-o-y, and the total volume of the postal industry increased by 22.5% y-o-y. Fifth, foreign trade and investment have stabilized, and the international balance of payments basically balanced. The decline in total exports of goods was significantly smaller than that in the first quarter; the surplus in exports of goods fell by 0.5% y-o-y. The deficit in service trade decreased. Foreign reserves remained stable, and the RMB exchange rate appreciated slightly. Sixth, the national surveyed urban unemployment rate was 5.7% in June, a decline for two consecutive months; the average weekly working hours of employees in enterprises increased. The market is generally stable. In 1H, the growth rate of consumer price index (CPI) dropped by 1.1% from the first quarter. In June, the CPI rose by 2.5% y-o-y, and the industrial producer price index (PPI) turned from a 0.4% drop in the previous month to a 0.4% increase. Seventh, outstanding results have been achieved in the fight against poverty. As of June 30, 28.309 million poor laborers from 25 provinces had been working as migrant workers. Full coverage social security system continues to be strengthened. The ecological environment continues to improve. Eighth, the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the construction of the Guangdong-HongKong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta are progressing steadily. The master plan for the Hainan free trade port was officially released.
In order to further overcome the adverse effects of the pandemic, and promote the full return of the economy to normal growth, China has made solid decisions and introduced a series of response measures: First, implement macroeconomic control. Reduction of 2.5 trillion yuan in taxes and fees was newly introduced. A special transfer payment mechanism was established through which 2 trillion Yuan of fiscal deficit and special anti-pandemic treasury bonds will be distributed. Second, continue to roll out policies to help companies address difficulties. Make an appropriate interest concession of 1.5 trillion yuan to various enterprises throughout the year. Speed up the implementation of the policy to cut fees. Strictly investigate and prosecute the tax collection malpractices, and reduce unreasonable burdens on market entities in the name of clearing and repayment. Further clean up and regulate the charges of industry associations and chambers of commerce. Third, actively expand effective investment. Issue 1 trillion yuan of special treasury bonds. Speed up the issuance and use of local government special bonds. Focus on supporting the construction of the major infrastructure and urbanization projects, and make arrangements for and accelerate the progress of the construction of 150 major water conservancy projects this year and in the follow-up period. Fourth, stabilize employment and protect people’s livelihood. Focus on key groups such as college graduates and migrant workers, strengthen assistance to enterprises to stabilize employment and offer basic assistance in securing employment, and support flexible employment through multiple channels. Make every effort to control floods and enhance work safety. Resolutely win the battle against poverty. Fifth, deepen the reform process to stimulate market vitality. Strengthen services for market players and provide convenience for employment and entrepreneurship. Sixth, stabilize foreign trade and investment. Exploit the potential of customs clearance reform and optimize services for foreign trade enterprises. Improve export tax rebate methods and speed up the progress of tax rebates. Alleviate the liquidity difficulties of foreign trade enterprises and help them expand their business.
Being the world’s second largest economy and the largest consumption market, the positive growth of China’s economy serves to stabilize and inject vitality into the world economic recovery.
(The writer is consul general of China to Karachi)
