China’s economic cycles are far more drastic than those shown by GDP figures, and they are closely linked to capital flows
We compare Chinese growth as officially measured by real GDP and different growth indicators that are normally relevant : imports, consumption of electricity and commodities, surveys, investment . Our theory is that when there is pessimism in China, capital outflows and, as a result, a depreciation of the exchange rate, Chinese growth is markedly lower than that shown by GDP figures. This occurred from 2013 to 2016, and is perhaps happening again now.