China's GDP in U.S. dollars based on purchasing power parity

China's gross domestic product per capita was only US$300 to$370 in 1980-91 in an estimate based on the World Bank Atlas approach used in the World Development Report. These estimates fail to capture the fact that in the 10 years since embarking on a program of economic reform aimed at rapid economic development, China has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Knowing what its true standard of living and productive potential is important not only for measuring the size of China's economy but for assessing its growth performance. The authors provide a detailed comparison of the GDP of China and the United States using the purchasing power parity approach formulated by the U.N. International Comparison Program (ICP), with 1986 as a base. Using this approach, which establishes a conversion factor based on prices for comparable items rather than on exchange rates, they find that: 1) China's per capita GDP in 1986 international dollars in between $770 and$1,044, depending on assumptions made about comparison-resistant service sectors and quality adjustments made in a number of selected ones in calculating purchasing power parities; and 2) China's per capita GDP in 1991 international dollars is between $1,227 and$1,663, allowing for the impact of inflation in the United States on the purchasing power parity and growth rates in China computed from national currency GDP data in constant prices.Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Payment Systems&Infrastructure,Public Health Promotion,Health Economics&Finance,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Health Economics&Finance,Access to Markets,Markets and Market Access

Chinese Manufacturing Performance from Multilateral Perspective: 1980-2004

Based on our research work of 1998, we discuss Chinese manufacturing performance from multilateral perspective in 1980-2004 through performing the comparison of labour productivity between China and its trade partners so as to better understand the problems of RMB exchange rate. We talk about Chinese manufacturing competitiveness through the multilateral comparison of PPPs, relative price levels, labor productivity and ULCs, with the PPPs being standardized according to the base year 1997. All of the results are compared with those in the year 1987. The following findings are presented: in Chinese manufacturing, the various PPPs in the base year 1997 are approximately 3.7 yuan/international $. After the middle 1980s, the relative price turns the lowest in all the five investigation countries. Furthermore, it is still trending downward. ULC is declining albeit the fluctuations. In the 1980s, there is no "catch-up" rapid growth in labor productivity. However, after 1992, it has shown a distinct "catch-up", though with the low level.Multilateral comparison, Manufacturing, International competitiveness

Chinese Manufacturing Performance in Comparative Perspective, 1980-2002

This paper uses the detailed information in the 1995 Census of Industrial Production as a benchmark for analysing the coverage, concepts and consistency of published statistical series. On the basis of the analysis, the paper proposes a series of adjustments which result in more consistent long-run series of labour productivity for 21 manufacturing sectors from 1980-2002. For purposes of international comparisons with the USA, the paper subsequently presents industry of origin unit value ratios for the benchmark year 1995. These are used to convert Chinese value added into US dollars. In 2002, value added for the statistically well-covered sectors of Chinese manufacturing was 43 per cent of US value added, against 12 per cent in 1980. The comparative analysis of labour productivity points to a long period of Chinese growth without catch up from 1980-1992. After 1992, there was a rapid and accelerating process of catch up. In comparative terms labour productivity increased from 5.3 per cent of the US level in 1995 to 13.7 per cent in 2002.China, manufacturing, productivity growth, catch up, unit value ratios, international comparisons

China's Manufacturing Performance in Comparative Perspective, 1980-1992

Abstract not available.

Chinese Manufacturing Performance from Multilateral Perspective: 1980-2004

revised July, 2006Translated from the Economic Research Journal, 2005, (12) (in Chinese)Based on our research work of 1998, we discuss Chinese manufacturing performance from multilateral perspective in 1980-2004 through performing the comparison of labour productivity between China and its trade partners so as to better understand the problems of RMB exchange rate. We talk about Chinese manufacturing competitiveness through the multilateral comparison of PPPs, relative price levels, labor productivity and ULCs, with the PPPs being standardized according to the base year 1997. All of the results are compared with those in the year 1987. The following findings are presented: in Chinese manufacturing, the various PPPs in the base year 1997 are approximately 3.7 yuan/international $. After the middle 1980s, the relative price turns the lowest in all the five investigation countries. Furthermore, it is still trending downward. ULC is declining albeit the fluctuations. In the 1980s, there is no "catch-up" rapid growth in labor productivity. However, after 1992, it has shown a distinct "catch-up", though with the low level.21世紀COEプログラム = 21st-Century COE Program12 p

Chinese Manufacturing Performance from Multilateral Perspective: 1980-2004

revised July, 2006Translated from the Economic Research Journal, 2005, (12) (in Chinese)Based on our research work of 1998, we discuss Chinese manufacturing performance from multilateral perspective in 1980-2004 through performing the comparison of labour productivity between China and its trade partners so as to better understand the problems of RMB exchange rate. We talk about Chinese manufacturing competitiveness through the multilateral comparison of PPPs, relative price levels, labor productivity and ULCs, with the PPPs being standardized according to the base year 1997. All of the results are compared with those in the year 1987. The following findings are presented: in Chinese manufacturing, the various PPPs in the base year 1997 are approximately 3.7 yuan/international $. After the middle 1980s, the relative price turns the lowest in all the five investigation countries. Furthermore, it is still trending downward. ULC is declining albeit the fluctuations. In the 1980s, there is no "catch-up" rapid growth in labor productivity. However, after 1992, it has shown a distinct "catch-up", though with the low level.21世紀COEプログラム = 21st-Century COE Progra

China's Manufacturing Performance in Comparative Perspective, 1980-1992

Abstract not available.