Trade is very affected by the strict health policy imposed by Xi Jinping. According to Chinese customs, exports fell 8.7 % and imports of 10.6 % over a year.
MO12345lemonde with AFP
This is the highest drop in exports in China since February 2020, when the country was practically stopped. They plunged 8.7 % over a year, according to Chinese customs, in a context of health restrictions that weighed on the economy, according to official figures published on Wednesday.
In November, imports displayed with withdrawal of 10.6 % over a year. This is the strongest collapse since May 2020.
Confronted last month with its most important wave of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, even if the figures remain tiny compared to its population, the Asian country has continued its strict health policy. It consists of almost quasi-quotaidian screenings for the population, compulsory quarantines for people tested positive or even confinements from the appearance of cases. These measures logically seized household consumption, logistics chains and businesses.
The threat of recession in the United States and Europe, combined with the outbreak of the energy price, has also weakened demand for Chinese products. These figures are, however, to be put into perspective as to the medium-term prospects, because China seems in recent days on the path of a doctrine change concerning COVVI-19, with a progressive relaxation of certain restrictions.
Weariness towards zero covid policy
Since the massive demonstrations at the end of November of Chinese, tired by the excesses of this zero covid health strategy, several cities have announced the end of compulsory large -scale PCR tests or quarantine placement for contaminated people. But the movements between provinces remain complicated and the economic recovery could take time to materialize, the relaxation of the anti-Cavid rules remaining for the time being uncertain.