Konjunktur: Chinas Wirtschaft lahmt - Konsum und Investitionen bremsen

China's economy showed uneven growth in August, impacting German companies, according to official statistics. Industrial production surged, while retail sales and investments faltered. The weak demand hampers German firms' ability to sell in China. Meanwhile, international competition from Chinese manufacturers intensifies. Industrial output rose 5.2% in August compared to the same month last year, up from 4.5% in July.

Retail sales, however, grew only 0.4%, down from 0.6% in July. Auto sales specifically hindered this growth. Overall, investment in infrastructure projects decreased by 7.2% from January to August compared to the previous year. This includes spending on buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. For the first seven months, the decline had been 6.7%.

The real estate crisis exacerbates this: Investments in real estate projects fell nearly one-fifth in the first eight months. While domestic demand remains sluggish, export business is booming. China is a significant market for many German companies. Car manufacturers need willing customers there, while machinery makers benefit from investments in factories and infrastructure.

At the same time, Chinese manufacturers expand their foreign business and compete with German industry.