Xi Jinping Might Have To Let Yuan Slide To Avoid Debt And Deflation Spiral, Says Economist: ‘A Price Worth Paying’

China’s economy is teetering on the edge of a potentially perilous debt-deflation cycle, with prominent economist Shang-Jin Wei sounding the alarm and suggesting a radical solution – the devaluation of the yuan.

As the former chief economist at the Asian Development Bank, Wei has been closely monitoring China’s economic trajectory. He has observed a troubling trend of declining consumer prices and a year-long spell of producer deflation. Contributing to this precarious situation are the significant debts accrued by both the public and private sectors, largely a result of pandemic-related spending and lenient monetary policies. Wei has described this confluence of debt and deflation as a “toxic combination” that could set off a detrimental cycle of plummeting demand, dwindling investments, reduced output, and declining incomes.

Despite the Chinese government’s efforts, led by President Xi Jinping, to rejuvenate the economy, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has not yet injected substantial liquidity into the market. Wei has proposed a potential remedy that involves a quantitative easing strategy, akin to the bond-buying initiatives pursued by the Federal Reserve and other monetary authorities following the 2008 financial crisis.

However, Wei does acknowledge a possible downside to this approach. Aggressive quantitative easing might further weaken the yuan, which has already experienced a depreciation of approximately 5% against the US dollar in the past year. Yet, he argues that safeguarding the economy from entrenched deflation could be a price worth paying, asserting that it could even serve as a beneficial adjustment mechanism by stimulating foreign demand for Chinese products.

Wei offers a novel perspective on how Chinese authorities should address the situation. Instead of attempting to micromanage the exchange rate, he suggests allowing market forces to dictate these adjustments, emphasizing the potential for a market-driven approach to navigate China’s economic challenges.

The delicate balance between debt, deflation, and the value of the yuan remains a critical issue for China’s economic future. As policymakers contemplate their next steps, Shang-Jin Wei’s insights add a thought-provoking dimension to the ongoing economic discourse in the country.