China’s economy to grow 8% in 2021: WB

China’s GDP growth is projected to reach 8 percent in 2021, according to an updated forecast published by the World Bank on Wednesday.
Economic activity in the country cooled in the second half of this year after a strong rebound in the first half. Its economic growth in the third quarter slowed to 4.9 percent year on year from expansion at 7.9 percent in the second quarter and 18.3 percent in the first quarter. “The slowdown reflects less-favorable base effects, diminished support from exports, and the government’s continued deleveraging efforts,” the World Bank said.
It pointed out that downside risks to China’s economic outlook have increased, which includes renewed domestic COVID-19 outbreaks and a severe and prolonged downturn in the highly leveraged property sector.
The World Bank noted that ongoing efforts to address excessive leverage in the corporate sector should be maintained in the short term, and the country faces a difficult rebalancing act as it aims to transition to high-quality growth over the medium term. The country is facing three outstanding challenges, according to the World Bank: shifting to a greater reliance on consumption and services, to a greater role for markets and the private sector, and to a low-carbon economy. – CGTN