A visit to China highlights the perils of making generalisations about such a vast and complex country. Investment manager Paul Loudon reports back from the bright lights of Chengdu, Chongqing and Hong Kong whilst investment manager AJ Kyle provides an update on the team’s recent travels and investment insights.

Key takeaways

• There are palpable signs of an economic buzz in Chengdu and Chongqing, from the cranes on the skyline to a shiny new airport.
• But consumers are cautious. Manufacturers of baijiu, China’s favourite spirit usually enjoyed at banquets and celebratory events, spoke of notable weakness, pointing to the sombre mood of Chinese consumers.
• China currently imports 40% of the natural gas it consumes. The desire for energy security is driving remarkable innovations in solar power technology. 

The podcast is intended for investment professionals only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation. Any stock examples discussed are given in the context of the theme being explored, and the views expressed are those of the presenters at the time of the recording.