News analysis

China acts to reduce impact of tariffs

Moves to reform and open up businesses lauded; infrastructure building a concern

Workers preparing a Harley-Davidson motorcycle for sale at a dealership in Shanghai. From Harley-Davidson motorcycles and US bourbon to Chinese parts and machinery, the world's two largest economies have exchanged punitive tariffs across a wide swath
Workers preparing a Harley-Davidson motorcycle for sale at a dealership in Shanghai. From Harley-Davidson motorcycles and US bourbon to Chinese parts and machinery, the world's two largest economies have exchanged punitive tariffs across a wide swath of products - with threats from the US of more to come. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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An airport built on the sparsely populated north-eastern island Danchangshan, and the Yuanjiang-Mohei highway in Yunnan province were among two mega projects that ended up being barely used in the years after they were completed.

"No more white elephants" appeared to be the promise of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) even as it included stepping up infrastructure building as part of measures to counter the impact of current trade tensions with the United States.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 29, 2018, with the headline China acts to reduce impact of tariffs. Subscribe