At just the time that I was publishing my ebook ‘5 Reasons to Invest in China’ last week, China released its GDP growth numbers for 2021 which were better than expected and demonstrates a level of robustness and resilience that is the envy of many other countries after a second year of the global pandemic.

Some of the highlights include:

1. The Chinese economy grew by 8.1% last year – its highest annual rate since 2011 – and marginally better than the 8.0% forecast. The pace of growth was faster than its own Government target of ‘above 6%’, and much better than in 2020 (2.2%).
2. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, GDP rose 1.6% in October-December, compared with expectations for a 1.1% rise, and a revised 0.7% gain in the previous quarter.
3. Industrial output increased by 4.3%
4. Property investment grew by 4.4%
5. Total retail sales for consumer goods – including spending by households, governments and businesses – rose 12.5%
6. China’s services trade increased 16.1% year on year. Service exports increased 31.4% and service imports gained 4.8%.
7. Imports and exports increased by 21.4%
8. Investment in high-tech manufacturing increased 22.2%
9. China’s fixed-asset investments – including investment in infrastructure, machinery and equipment, and real estate development – grew by 4.9%
10. China’s share of the global export market increased to 14.7%
11. China’s trade with Australia also grew despite bilateral tensions. Exports to Australia grew 24.2%, while imports increased 40%

The media was quick to point out that there were some areas of potential weakness (e.g. a rapidly cooling property sector, and sporadic small-scale COVID-19 outbreaks causing problems for factories and supply chains) but it’s hard to review the above numbers without reaching the conclusion that China’s economic growth and direction offers strong potential for investors, particularly when compared to other markets.

Perhaps 2022 should be the year when you start investing in China?