{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/633ebf6dfc7f5a0012acdc97/64edf2987a1a38001154412f?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Drum Tower: Hey, big spenders","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/633ebf6dfc7f5a0012acdc97/1694023138084-92cd2349025528abc79247b432cd2da4.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>The end of China’s zero-covid restrictions was meant to revitalise its economy. But the rebound has fizzled, resulting in weak growth and deflation. Chinese consumers are not spending—and that is a problem for policymakers.</p><p><br></p><p>David Rennie, <em>The Economist’</em>s Beijing bureau chief, and Don Weinland, our China business and finance editor, examine what lies behind <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2023/08/17/chinas-consumers-officials-and-statisticians-all-lack-confidence?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=drumtower&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">the dip in consumer confidence</a>. David speaks to <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/china/2023/08/17/chinas-slowing-economy-seen-from-ground-level?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=drumtower&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">furniture sellers in Foshan</a>, in Guangdong province, about the end of zero-covid and about China’s troubled housing market. He and Don ponder whether <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2023/08/24/chinas-economy-is-in-desperate-need-of-rescue?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=drumtower&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">the Chinese government can get people to spend again</a>, and <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2023/08/22/what-chinas-economic-troubles-mean-for-the-world?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=drumtower&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">what China’s economic troubles mean for the rest of the world</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>Sign up to our weekly newsletter <a href=\"https://www.economist.com/china/2022/09/17/introducing-drum-tower-our-new-china-newsletter\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> and for full access to print, digital and audio editions, as well as exclusive live events, subscribe to <em>The Economist</em> at <a href=\"http://www.economist.com/drumoffer\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">economist.com/drumoffer</a>.</p>","author_name":"The Economist"}