Taipei [Taiwan], November 11 (ANI): China’s latest internal purge and deepening economic slowdown have raised fresh concerns over the country’s stability, according to a report released by Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC).
The report, submitted to Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, highlighted China’s growing inward turn as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) struggles with economic stagnation, deflation, and record unemployment, The Taipei Times reported.
Ahead of a questioning session with MAC Minister Chiu Chui-cheng, the report detailed findings from the CCP’s 20th Central Committee’s fourth plenary session held in China. The session approved China’s 15th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development, emphasizing domestic priorities amid a “complex international landscape.” The plan stressed strengthening the “real economy,” achieving self-reliance in technology, boosting consumption, and promoting “common prosperity” by 2035.
However, the MAC report noted that key economic indicators continue to decline. Industrial output, foreign investment, infrastructure development, real estate prices, and retail sales have all weakened, revealing deep structural vulnerabilities.
Despite the CCP Politburo’s July directive to stabilize employment and expectations, Beijing’s efforts have failed to reverse its economic downturn. The report said China’s GDP growth averaged 5.2 percent over the first three quarters of the year but slowed to 4.8 percent in the third quarter—well below expectations.
Youth unemployment surged to a staggering 18.9 percent in August, while consumer spending growth dropped to its lowest point since late 2023, The Taipei Times reported. Deflationary pressures also remain severe, with producer prices falling 2.3 percent year-on-year for the 36th consecutive month.
Simultaneously, political unrest within the CCP appears to be worsening. Fifty-two centrally managed officials, including eight ministerial-level figures, have been dismissed, along with nine generals—among them Central Military Commission Vice Chairman He Weidong.
Over 60 Central Committee members and alternates were absent from the recent plenum, marking an unprecedented level of internal instability under Xi Jinping’s leadership, according to The Taipei Times. (ANI)
