Our central scenario sees COVID-19 knocking at least 17% off economic output in the first quarter. Following a history of disputable data releases, what exactly will China print on 17 April, when first-quarter GDP data are due for release? Might they take this opportunity to tell it straight? Perhaps more importantly, what’s to come? Will China offset the squeeze with a stimulus package akin to 2008/09. We think so…

A chance for China to tell it how it is