The National Bureau of Statistics in Beijing has just published the figures for the 2nd quarter of 2026 of the Chinese economy. Year-on-year growth was 4.3% after 5% in the 1st quarter, i.e., over the 1st half of the year, a pace of 4.7% in the range between 4.5 and 5% which is the authorities' target for 2026. The only figure that caught the attention of commentators was 4.3%, pointing out that it is one of the lowest levels in recent decades. It was interpreted as a sign of the difficulties that the country would ...

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Since the liberalization of trade and the internationalization of financial markets, central banks have become major players in the choice and implementation of economic policy. They have different missions and statuses depending on the country or continent. Of all, it is the European Central Bank (ECB) that has the greatest freedom of action, thanks to its independence enshrined in its founding treaty and the definition of its mission in its statute, to reduce and maintain inflation in the euro zone to a level below but close to 2%. It can then act to support growth and employment.

The US Federal ...

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In an increasingly fragmented and unstable international environment, China appears to be a pillar of growth in the world economy. The 5% increase in GDP over one year in the 1st quarter shows that, unlike the main developed countries, the country has not yet been affected by the consequences of the war in the Middle East. Uncertainties about fossil fuel supplies, with the resulting sharp price increases, as well as disruptions to maritime traffic, have not resulted in a significant rebound in inflation or threats to production chains.

The rate of 5% is identical to that published for the year ...

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