This year’s China Update is the 23rd in the series and will focus on the theme of “China: Regaining Growth Momentum after the Pandemic.” The slower growth of the Chinese economy in the aftermath of the pandemic has prompted the Chinese government to adopt various measures to boost domestic consumption and deepen structural reform, but the effectiveness of such policies is yet to be felt.

China also faces various other challenges such as the slowdown of its real estate sector, the complex internal and external environment for macroeconomic policies, income inequality, weak investment growth by the private sector, negative population growth, high levels of debt, de-globalization, weakness in its financial sector and equity markets, the inadequacy of its fiscal system and the imperative to decarbonise the economy. China needs to confront these challenges to achieve a higher level of income and standard of living. Contributors to this year’s China Update will discuss some of the challenges and policy issues that are being watched with keen interest by decision-makers and markets alike.

Topics to be discussed at this year’s Update include: What are the obstacles to economic growth in the aftermath of the pandemic and how can these be overcome? What are the key challenges and opportunities for China to move to the next levels of development against the backdrop of negative population growth? Is it time for a Tax Sharing System Reform 2.0 to consolidate China’s fiscal position? What are the challenges facing China’s SMEs? How is China’s business environment faring, and what are its implications for investment? How does China’s urban housing affordability impact its low fertility rate? How does the decarbonisation of China’s steel sector impact China-Australia value chains? How does the trade conflict between China and the United States play out for cases of steel and aluminium? How does China-Africa bilateral agricultural trade impact on African rural transformation?

This event will be held in person only. The China Update 2023 book “China: Regaining Growth Momentum after the Pandemic” will be published in July 2024. All China Update volumes are available for free download from the ANU Press link here.

Invited Speakers:

Professor Cai Fang (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)

Professor Xiaolu Wang (National Economy Research Institute)

Dr John Edwards (Lowy Institute)

Professor Yiping Huang (Peking University)

Professor Christine Wong (National University of Singapore)

Professor Bert Hofman (National University of Singapore)

Professor Ross Garnaut (University of Melbourne)

Dr Brett G. Williams (Williams Trade Law)

Professor Yu Sheng (Peking University)

Associate Professor Sherry Tao Kong (Peking University)

Associate Professor Kunling Zhang (Beijing Normal University)

Dr Joel Bowman (Australian National University)

Dr Xinjie Shi (Zhejiang University)

See programme for full list of speakers, including ANU experts