中國進口和出口減少, 進一步減速受關注

A few weeks ago the NHK News on-line reported the following:

中国 輸出入とも減少 さらなる減速懸念

5月8日 23時25分

中国の４月の輸出は２か月連続で前の年の同じ月を下回ったほか、輸入も６か月連続で前の年を下回り、外需、内需ともに弱さがみえるなか、中国経済はさらなる減速の懸念が出ています。

中国の税関当局が発表した貿易統計によりますと、中国の先月の輸出は１７６３億３１００万ドルで前の年の同じ月より６．４％減少し、２か月連続の減少となりました。これは日本やヨーロッパ、それに東南アジア向けを中心に衣類や靴、パソコンなどの輸出が振るわなかったことによるものです。一方、輸入は１４２１億９６００万ドルで、不動産向けの投資や企業の設備投資が伸び悩むなか、鋼材や自動車関連の取り引きが落ち込んだことなどから、前の年の同じ月より１６．２％減って、６か月連続の減少となりました。
中国経済の専門家の間では、貿易の不振は世界経済の回復が遅れ、外需に弱さがみえるなか、人件費の上昇など中国の輸出競争力が低下していることに加え、国内の内需も依然弱いことを反映していて、中国経済はさらなる減速の懸念が強まっているという見方が出ています。中国政府は景気を下支えするため政策金利の引き下げといった金融緩和を行っていますが、今後、財政出動も含めてさらに踏み込んだ景気対策を打ち出すかが焦点です。

(試譯文)

Regarding China’s export in April, compared with the same month in the previous year, it was a fall for 2 consecutive months; regarding import, compared with the previous year, it was also a continuous decease for 6 months. Weakness in foreign demand and domestic demand was seen and there was anxiety over further slowing down in the Chinese economy.

According to the announced trade statistics of the Chinese customs authority, last month's China export was 176,331 million dollars, being a 6.4 % decrease compared the same month in the previous year and was a continuous decrease for 2 consecutive months. This was due to the fact that Japan and Europe, besides clothing, shoes mainly for Southeast Asia, there was no slowing down in the export of personal computers etc. On the other hand, import was 142,196 million dollars, amidst stagnate investments towards real estates and in plant and equipment of enterprise, steel and car related dealings had a drop of 16.2 % compared with the same month in the previous year, being a continuous decrease for 6 months.

For the experts on the Chinese economy, they reflected that the reasons for sluggish trade were due to a lagging behind of global economy recovery and weakness in foreign demand. In addition, a rise in personnel expenses caused the Chinese export competitiveness to fall and the domestic demand was still weak. Regarding the Chinese economy the view point coming out was that anxiety was strengthened over a further slowing down. To support the business, the Chinese government was easing credits such as lowering the interest rate. But from now on the focus was whether further far-reaching economic measures, including fiscal stimulus would be proposed.

So it seems that the world economy will take some time to recover.