China's Economic Challenge

23:26

January 05, 2009

Police officers stand guard as workers gather in a standoff over a wage dispute at the gate of Jianrong Suitcase Factory in Dongguan, Southern city in China, Friday, Dec. 19, 2008. This is one of a series of protests in southern China, where thousands of companies have gone bust this year. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) — Police stand guard as workers gather in a standoff over a wage dispute at the gate of Jianrong Suitcase Factory in Dongguan, China, on Dec. 19, 2008. (AP)

Thirty years ago last month, Deng Xiaoping put China on the path to its own brand of market capitalism. It’s been an explosion ever since. Now, at the dawn of 2009, China’s having trouble: Exports down, factories closing, millions losing jobs.

But more than ever, the world is tied into what China does next. Obama’s big stimulus? Chinese billions would make it happen. And then there’s China’s own stability.

This hour, On Point: China’s next move.

You can join the conversation. Is this just a Chinese hiccup? Will China refuel the U.S. economy? Will U.S. consumers restart the Chinese miracle?Guests:

Joining us from Beijing is Anthony Kuhn, Beijing correspondent for NPR. See an archive of his recent reports from China at NPR.org.
From Shanghai we're joined by James Areddy, Shanghai correspondent for The Wall Street Journal. Last month the Journal reported on rising unrest as China's economy falters. He was with us in Shanghai last April.
Also from Shanghai is Shen Dingli, professor and executive dean of Fudan University’s Institute of International Studies. He's also a fellow at the Asia Society, a global organization based in New York.

This program aired on January 5, 2009.