China projects outward confidence despite economic anxiety, US panel says

Members of a US congressional advisory body observed a facade of confidence in China during a July visit, despite underlying economic anxieties.

The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) shared their findings Wednesday, detailing meetings with Chinese officials. "I think there’s an outward confidence," said USCC chairman Randy Shriver. "There’s a lot of anxiety about the state of the economy and economic performance and potential for growth."

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I think there’s an outward confidence. There’s a lot of anxiety about the state of the economy and economic performance and potential for growth.

Shriver, who previously served as assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, highlighted the importance of firsthand observation. He noted the commission's last official visit was in 2019. "It’s one thing to hear and read about ‘ghost cities,’" he said. "It’s another thing to take the high-speed rail and see these enormous developments with apartment building on top of apartment building, and not a single light is on."

Commissioner Chris Slevin added that China's confidence was particularly evident in discussions about artificial intelligence. The commission's visit included stops in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou.

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It’s one thing to hear and read about ‘ghost cities.’ It’s another thing to take the high-speed rail and see these enormous developments with apartment building on top of apartment building, and not a single light is on.