The Disappearance of Key Economic Data from China

Last week, markets were surprised Beijing temporarily suspended the scheduled publication of GDP figures. Most observers believed they did not want the number to cloud the ongoing Communist Party Congress and crowning of President Xi Jinping for an unprecedented third term. But the reality is this has been an ongoing trend for quite some time under President Xi. The Financial Times published a great chart today showing just how much is no longer made available. Markets need to get used to this great disappearing act - it is likely only going to get worse.