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Loong: Markets need to accept low growth as 'new normal' in China

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Pauline Loong, Managing Director of Asia-analytica, gives us her assessment of the latest Chinese GDP figures: "The worst quarterly GDP performance in almost six years has raised hopes of a bolder policy response from Beijing. But more aggressive measures in the coming months might still not provide the hoped-for catalyst on stock prices or deliver the boost needed for a return to market-moving growth rates."
Pauline says we need to "be realistic" about China's GDP and get used to lower numbers. For example 6.9% could be the "new normal" next year. China's official GDP target for 2014 remains 7.5%, a number which looks increasingly out of reach. In response, Beijing has been "micro managing" stimulus, in Pauline's view, going from sector to sector and even telling banks what size of business to lend to.
Pauline Loong warns that China's gear change from export driven economy to consumer driven market will take longer than most may imagine, it's worth bearing in mind that Chinese GDP per capita is only just above Iraq in global rankings.