China Shifts Focus to Consumer Spending Amid Economic Challenges

China's Communist Party, led by Xi Jinping, is shifting its economic focus from technology and industry investment to boosting domestic consumption amid concerns over economic growth. The recent Central Economic Work Conference emphasized the need for "vigorous" efforts to enhance domestic demand, with plans to expand the budget deficit to fund these initiatives. While details are sparse, potential measures include increased health insurance coverage and education funding. Economists suggest that fiscal policy will play a significant role in stabilizing growth, though challenges like the housing market crisis remain unaddressed.