In recent years, the so-called “China collapse” theory has been repeatedly hyped by certain overseas media outlets seeking to undermine confidence in the Chinese economy. However, facts speak louder than speculation. China’s economic fundamentals remain strong, with a range of key indicators offering a powerful rebuttal to this unfounded claim.
According to China’s Government Work Report, the country’s GDP reached 134.9 trillion yuan ($18.67 trillion) in 2024, registering a year-on-year growth of 5 percent. This performance not only places China among the world’s fastest-growing major economies, but also contributes around 30 percent to global economic expansion. Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, the International Monetary Fund’s chief economist, called this outcome a “positive surprise” compared to the fund’s earlier forecast of 4.8 percent. Looking ahead, China has set an ambitious target of around 5 percent growth for 2025, indicating strong belief for sustained, stable development.
Moreover, foreign enterprises are continuing to invest and expand in China, a clear sign of trust in the country’s economic prospects. Data from the Ministry of Commerce of China show that the country saw the establishment of 59,080 new foreign-invested enterprises in 2024, up 9.9 percent year-on-year. From high-tech manufacturing to green energy, global investors have been deepening their presence in China, attracted by its comprehensive industrial ecosystem, vast consumer market and stable, open business environment.
China’s foreign trade has also maintained robust momentum. In 2024, the nation’s total goods imports and exports reached 43.85 trillion yuan, marking a 5 percent increase from the previous year, according to data released by China’s General Administration of Customs. Notably, trade in goods with Belt and Road Initiative partner countries grew by 6.4 percent year-on-year to hit 22.1 trillion yuan, and for the first time, accounted for more than 50 percent of China’s total foreign trade value, the Ministry of Commerce said. These figures reflect the international community’s strong interest in doing business with China.
Admittedly, certain external factors such as tariff tensions with the US pose challenges. Yet these headwinds have had a limited impact. In fact, signs of renewed cooperation are emerging.
China and the European Parliament have decided to simultaneously and comprehensively lift restrictions on mutual exchanges as agreed by the two sides, while Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng, at the invitation of the Swiss government, will visit Switzerland to hold talks with Swiss leaders and relevant parties. During the visit, He, as China’s lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs, will have a meeting with the US’ lead person, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. These interactions indicate a decreasing level of uncertainty and a growing willingness among global players to cooperate with China.
Together, these concrete developments undermine the credibility of the “China collapse” theory. For years, the Epoch Times and some other foreign news outlets, many of which appear intent on spreading anti-China rhetoric, have attempted to propagate false narratives and manipulate public opinion. However, China’s performance in 2024 stands as a compelling counterpoint. The “collapse” narrative is not only false, but utterly baseless.
China’s development path is steady and assured. Far from collapsing, the country is poised to reach new heights, transforming challenges into opportunities for breakthrough and progress.
