September 18, 2020

ChinaTalk with Tom Orlik (Bloomberg Chief Economist) - Zbigniew Niesiobędzki, Ph.D., prof. M. Jacoby

54 minutes

China is taking on an increasing amount of debt, on an unprecedented level anywhere else, to boost its economic growth, which is among the largest in the world. This financially risky behavior may lead to a potential crash. Especially, during the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and an ongoing “trade-war” with the United States. How has the financial situation of the Asian giant changed? How does it look like today? What financial challenges is China facing? What impact do the recent political decisions made by the United States have on China’s financial and economic situation? What might be the economic consequences of the China – US rivalry? What could contribute to the economic crash of China and how would it impact the rest of the world?

We will pose these questions to Mr. Tom Orlik, Bloomberg’s Chief Economist, and author of a book “China: The Bubble that Never Pops”, which presents the financial and economic phenomenon of heavily indebted China and the country’s situation during the pandemic. The meeting will be hosted by Associate Professor Marcin Jacoby, Head of the Department of Asian Studies at SWPS University, and Zbigniew Niesobędzki, Ph.D., President of the Polish Chinese Business Council - a partner of the ChinaTalk series.

Tom Orlik – Bloomberg’s Chief Economist, based in Washington DC. Formerly, Tom was the Chief Asia economist for Bloomberg and China economics correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, based in Beijing. Before spending a decade in China, he worked for the British Treasury, the European Commission, and the International Monetary Fund. He is the author of “Understanding China’s Economic Indicators” (FT Press) and “China: The Bubble that Never Pops” (OUP, 2020).

Prof. Marcin Jacoby

Sinologist, translator, expert on socio-political processes in East Asia, particularly China and Republic of Korea. He is also Head of the Department of Asian Studies at SWPS University, where he teaches literature, art, and cultural diplomacy in China and East Asian.

Zbigniew Niesiobędzki, Ph.D.

Economist with a career associated with investment funds. Over the years, he worked for Deloitte, and served as board member and member of supervisory boards of many companies in the telecommunications, construction, and furniture sectors. Currently, he is President of the Polish Chinese Business Council.

About „ChinaTalk” series

ChinaTalk is a series of interviews with leading global experts on China and East Asia, produced jointly by the Polish Chinese Business Council (PCBC) and SWPS University. Interviews are hosted by PCBC President, Mr. Zbigniew Niesiobędzki, and Professor Marcin Jacoby, Head of the Department of Asian Studies at SWPS University.

ChinaTalk brings you the latest knowledge on the economy, social issues, management, and politics of China and East Asia. Our guest interpret the current developments and trends in the Chinese economy, and predict global, regional and bilateral outcomes of political decisions. Chinese relations with the European Union, and Poland in particular, constitute an important context of these discussions. The expert insights provide valuable input for business practitioners, analysts, as well as researchers and students interested in macroeconomics and global trade.

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