China's Economy In 1998: Maintaining Growth And Staving Off The Asian Contagion

A study of China's economy in 1998. As the financial crisis swept the Asia Pacific, China seemed to be the one economy in the region which had been left "largely unaffected". However its economic growth momentum had visibly slowed down. This is an examination of these issues and related ones.

As the financial crisis swept the Asia-Pacific, China seemed to be the one economy in the region which had been left “largely unaffected” for various reasons, including its strong economic and financial fundamentals as well as its strong political will to defend the Renminbi, which had so far firmly stood the ground. However, China''s economy ended 1998 with only 7.8% growth, slightly falling short of its officially pledged target of 8%. Though China in 1998 was still rated as the best-performing economy in the region, its economic growth momentum had visibly slowed down. The Asian contagion had finally caught up with China.It is not certain if the Chinese economy is entering a slower growth era though, in the short run, China can boost economic growth by expanding domestic demand. Slower economic growth for the country will have significant negative effects on its economic reform programmes and social stability.