Fears haunt China’s growth numbers

Business is roaring at Qiu Bangsheng’s factory in eastern China, where whizzing machines churn out long, white strips of polypropylene that are rolled into cylinders and turned into nappies and other hygiene products.

For Premier Li Keqiang and China’s top economic policymakers, who have been at pains to contain a downturn that is likely to be the worst in 25 years, stories like Qiu’s are exactly what they want to hear.

“Companies reported an improvement in business conditions in June and the property sector is warming up,” said a researcher at the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s powerful economic planner, who asked not to be identified.