Chinas economy in focus ahead of key July political meeting [Video]

A key political meeting that is watched for signals on China’s economic direction will be held in mid-July, state media said Thursday, as policymakers seek to shore up a stuttering recovery.

A full rebound in the world’s number two economy has yet to kick in more than 18 months after crippling Covid-19 restrictions ended, sending ripples of unease through leaders and citizens.

The Third Plenum, originally expected last autumn, is highly anticipated in the hope it will resolve uncertainty and reveal details of Beijing’s future strategy.

State news agency Xinhua said the meeting, to be held from July 15-18, would “primarily examine issues related to further comprehensively deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernisation”.

Authorities have been clear they want to re-orient the economy away from state-funded investment and instead base growth around high-tech innovation and domestic consumption.

However, economic uncertainty is fuelling a vicious cycle that has kept consumption stubbornly …