CKGSB cements its reputation as a thought leader on China business and economic issues, as three professors are joined by leading industry figures to debate the challenges and opportunities that lie in store for 2017 and beyond.

CKGSB Professor of Economics Li Wei talks to the Financial Times about the growing trend of listed Chinese companies from the auto, industrial, chemical and manufacturing sectors switching tack and investing in entertainment, pharma and gaming – often through overseas takeovers – in a bid to capitalize on changing newly-surging sectors and turn around failing business models.

An exciting panel of distinguished guests led by Professor of Economics Li Wei shared their thoughts on some of the most pressing issues currently facing China’s economy at an event at CKGSB’s Beijing campus.

CKGSB Economics Professor Li Wei, creator of the CKGSB Business Conditions Index (BCI), tells a Knowledge Series audience that China must accelerate its planned economic reforms to put manufacturing resources to better use as the nation’s debt and overcapacity problems worsen.

CKGSB Professor of Economics Li Wei is featured in a China Daily article that looks at how China’s manufacturing sector is adapting to new global realities, as the country advocates scientific and technology-oriented new enterprises to engage in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Employment figures and commodities prices in the US and the Bank of Japan’s recent rate decision are among the topics discussed by CKGSB Professor of Economics Li Wei during an in-depth studio discussion with CCTV’s ‘Global Business’ anchor Tracey Chang.

Optimism for Chinese firms over the next six months still holds, but the corporate financing environment is getting difficult and the corporate inventory is increasing, according to the CKGSB Business Conditions Index, which registered 61.5 in February, a slight increase on January’s mark of 59.8. For CKGSBʼs sample of successful businesses operating in China, corporate sales index fell slightly from 82.7 to 80.5, while profits rose from 67.0 to 72.2, both are well above the confidence threshold of 50. Yet the other two sub-indices—corporate financing and in inventory—are below 50.

Optimism for Chinese firms is increasing. As they’re making money, they also face different issues. The CKGSB Business Conditions Index posted a mark of 60.8 in November, up from October’s 58.5. This shows that for the survey’s sample firms, of which the majority is relatively successful in China, the next six months are viewed with increased optimism. The CKGSB BCI comprises four sub-indices. Of these, corporate sales fell slightly from 75.4 to 74.0, while corporate profits rose from 57.4 to 61.8. The fact that both of these indices are both well above the confidence threshold of 50 shows that company prospects are improving.

Everyone in the world is concerned about how the Chinese economy is faring and understandably so. China’s linkages with the world mean that the health of the Chinese economy has a bearing on other economies as well. The CKGSB Business Conditions Index, based on a survey conducted each month, gauges business sentiment about the macro-economic environment among successful Chinese business executives. BCI registered 54.5 in August, slightly less than July’s 56.3. Corporate sales and inventory levels rose slightly.

Having delayed serious structural reforms, China faces eye-watering overcapacity in heavy industries. Steel production volume is more than double that of the next four leading producers combined: Japan, India, the United States and Russia. Aluminum production capacity reached 40 million tons last year, exceeding global consumption by 9 million tons. Most remarkably, between 2011 and 2013 China produced more cement than the US did during the entire 20th century—6.6 gigatons, compared to the US’s 4.5. What can China possibly do about this excess capacity that is weighing on the balance sheets of debt-ridden firms reeling from China’s economic slowdown?

How do Chinese companies view the next few months? The CKGSB Business Conditions Index registered 59.3 in April, falling slightly on March’s overall index of 59.7. This shows that for the survey’s sample firms, of which the majority are relatively successful in China, the next few months are being viewed with some optimism. The CKGSB Business Conditions Index comprises four sub-indices for corporate sales, corporate profits, corporate financing and inventory levels. Corporate sales fell slightly from 74.5 to 73.1, while the profit index rose from 58.9 in March to 61.5 in April. With the sales forecast falling and the profit rising, this shows that cost expectations are improving.

Slow growth in the Chinese economy will put pressure on local governments’ ability to repay their debts.