China: Making solid progress on its Five-Year Plan

As the National People’s Congress convenes, we highlight three government priorities to watch

By Mike Shiao, Chief Investment Officer, Asia ex Japan

The annual National People’s Congress (NPC) started on March 5, 2017, with Premier Li Keqiang announcing key economic growth targets and major reform initiatives designed to help China achieve stable growth and become a “moderately prosperous” society by 2020. These announcements are in line with the vision that was laid down two years ago in China’s 13th Five-Year Plan.

China was largely on track with its policy targets in 2016. The economy grew 6.7% (as seen in the table below) while making progress in reducing industrial overcapacity and financial risks. 2017’s key economic targets are designed to build on that progress, with further fine-tuning in growth rates widely expected, to allow room for the Chinese government to proceed with reform issues such as overcapacity and leverage.

The table below compares the key targets announced this year and last year...

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