Last year, the Chinese economy grew at its highest rate in a decade. but began to send alarming signals during the last quarter The official also warned that this year’s growth outlook will face many downturns. This includes the latest coronavirus outbreak, which found 223 new cases, although a small number by global standards. But for the Dragon Land, it was the highest since March 2020.
China’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Monday (Jan. 17) that China’s economic growth rate for 2021 was 8.1%, the highest since 2011, and above that figure. Economists forecast at 8%.
Most of the growth, however, occurred in the first six months, before it was depleted by the coronavirus pandemic, trouble in the real estate market, and some government measures to crack down on the industry.
In addition, on Monday The National Bank of China also cut interest rates on medium-term loans to 2.85%, the first drop since the start of 2020, when the coronavirus is wreaking havoc. It is also a signal that The outlook for the economy in 2022 remains uncertain.
NBS spokesman Ning Jize warned that the domestic economy is under three pressures: Contraction in demand, impact on supply, and lower expectations
NBS added that China’s birth rate dropped to a record low to 7.52 per 1,000 people, which analysts warned. This faster-than-expected drop in birth rates might exacerbate economic problems in the long run.
Tommy Wu of Oxford Economics said China’s growth was now hampered by a slowdown in the real estate sector.
Key industrial areas also faced power outages in efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, supply chain issues, and soaring energy costs in the second half of last year.
At the same time, despite the Beijing government’s “zero coronavirus” policy Help China’s internal situation return to normal faster than other nations. Most factories won’t be locked down as global demand soars as many big economies lockdown, but China’s recovery has stalled in recent months. partly due to covids coming back to spread from time to time This caused the authorities to periodically raise restrictions on the areas involved. which affects consumer demand
2022 is also likely to be another year when the Lunar New Year celebrations are quieter. Many employees are now advised to refrain from traveling due to the coronavirus.
China sees highest coronavirus cases in 10 months
For the total number of infected people daily at this time Chinese authorities on Monday reported 223 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest since March 2020, of which 80 were in Tianjin and nine in Guangdong, where OMIC addicts were found. Ron, one linked to the outbreak in Zhuhai City.
However, during the last weekend Both Beijing and Shenzhen first encountered local omikron addicts.
Omicron infection due to touch “Letter from Canada”?
As for Beijing, Pang Qinghua, a senior official with the Bureau of Disease Control, said it was possible that The first omikron addict found may have been infected by a letter sent from abroad.
Earlier, officials said The infected woman did not travel anywhere. and did not come into contact with an infected person
While Pang told reporters on Monday that The virus was found on the surface of a letter the woman received from Canada. Including the infection found in the letter, which has not yet been opened. Then dozens of letters sent in the same version were tested, and five of them showed signs of COVID-19.
The strain found in these letters differs from the omikron strain found in China, but similar to the strain identified from North America last month.
“So we came to the conclusion that Possibility of infection with the virus through foreign objects. It is something that cannot be ruled out that will not happen,” the official said. and warned the townspeople that Try to avoid foreign purchases during the epidemic. And preventive measures must be taken when opening mail or parcels that come from abroad, such as wearing masks and protective gloves. as well as to open in the outdoor
On the other hand, Li Ang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, said on Monday that A local hospital accepted nine Omikron addicts, six of whom remained in hospital.
As the Winter Olympics begin next month, Beijing, which hosts the event Therefore, accelerating to raise the level of preventive measures by stipulating that there will be a covid test before and following entering the city and urged residents to refrain from leaving the city during the Lunar New Year holiday next month.
A further 68 cases were also found in Henan province. which has partial lockdown and covid test millions of people
At the same time, Zhuhai, a city bordering Macao, Announcing people to refrain from leaving the city following finding a number of omicron addicts including starting to lay carpets for COVID testing since Monday
So far, China has found Omicron addicts in at least five counties and counties-equivalent municipalities, while 14 counties have encountered Omicron addicts from overseas.
Most recently, local governments in several cities advised residents not to leave the city unless necessary during the holidays. And it has also suspended dozens of domestic and international flights.
(Source: Archyde.com, AFP, AP)
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