{"id":12893,"date":"2023-08-14T11:30:50","date_gmt":"2023-08-14T11:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/?p=12893"},"modified":"2023-08-14T20:58:40","modified_gmt":"2023-08-14T20:58:40","slug":"will-ne-guidelines-for-freedom-of-movement-stimulate-chinas-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focus.cbbc.org\/will-ne-guidelines-for-freedom-of-movement-stimulate-chinas-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"Will new guidelines for freedom of movement stimulate China’s economy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chinese government has released new guidelines for the free movement of people, vehicles and data in China designed to speed up the country\u2019s economic recovery<\/h2>\n

Although China\u2019s post-Covid economic recovery has been remarkable, recent figures have fallen short of expectations.<\/p>\n

The country\u2019s economy is experiencing deflation for the first time since early 2021. The consumer price index fell 0.3% year-on-year in July, while the producer price index dropped 4.4%.<\/p>\n

Imports and exports also fell faster than expected in July. Imports dropped 12.4% year-on-year, considerably worse than analyst predictions of a 5% fall, while exports fell 14.5%, also steeper than the expected 12.5% decline.<\/p>\n

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These figures have prompted various government departments to take measures to combat the slowdown. On Thursday, 3 August, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) issued 26 guidelines to promote \u201chigh quality development\u201d and the \u201cfree movement\u201d of people, vehicles and data in China. As yet, the guidelines are just that, but the MPS\u2019s deputy head of research has said that they are making all efforts to put them into action by the end of the month.<\/p>\n

The guidelines include a milestone relaxation of hukou<\/em>, or household registration, restrictions. This will allow millions of urban residents<\/a> that still have a rural hukou<\/em> to switch to an urban hukou<\/em>, granting them improved access to housing, education and healthcare \u2013 and likely unlocking more of their spending power. Restrictions will vary based on city size:<\/p>\n