Nice summary of current economic conditions in China by Pieter Bottelier posted on the Carnegie Endowment site. The article is not too long, not overly technical, yet still presents a comprehensive survey of the main issues everyone is talking about, including: growth, property bubble, stimulus, inflation, labor market, rebalancing.

I am completely biased in recommending this to you. Bottelier was one of my favorite professors at SAIS who taught me all about China economic reform and, in particular, the overhaul of the financial sector. Not only is Prof Bottelier a noted expert (he used to be the World Bank’s chief in Beijing), but he’s a hell of a nice guy as well.

Here’s a teaser to pique your interest:

China’s recovery from the international financial crisis, though spectacular, has not been smooth. When the government enacted the stimulus program, recession and large-scale unemployment were its top concerns; less than twelve months later, an overheating economy had become top priority. Now, China is confronting a serious residential housing bubble, large-scale labor unrest, and potential domestic debt problems. Nonetheless, Beijing appears determined to shift its growth model away from external demand and to develop its interior provinces.

The rest is here.