Will China's Stable Interest Rates Revive Its Economy?

As the Chinese yuan continues to slip, the country's central bank chose not to alter its benchmark lending rates on Monday. The decision comes as the incoming U. S. President Donald Trump is set to take office, a move that's sparked uncertainty in the financial markets. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) retained the 1-year loan prime rate at a steady 3. 1%, and the 5-year rate at 3. 6%. These rates influence most corporate loans and mortgages, respectively. China's economy showed signs of improvement in the last quarter of 2023, aided by stimulus efforts from the government. However, experts remain wary as this growth might be fleeting due to factors such as weak consumer demand and a slumping real estate market. Adding to the challenges, President Trump has threatened to impose higher tariffs which could further strain the economy. Earlier, PBOC Governor Pan Gongsheng had suggested a possible reduction in the reserve requirement ratio by the end of 2024, aiming to free up more funds for banks to lend. Surprisingly, this cut hasn't materialized yet, even after the central bank adopted a "moderately loose" monetary policy stance. The PBOC had adjusted the major lending rates twice in 2023—in July and October. But for the last two months, including Monday's decision, the rates remain unchanged. ```