China's 10-point bailout

The Chinese government on November 9 surprised the world with a massive stimulus package of 4 trillion Yuan ($586 billion). To be spent over two years, this will amount to roughly 7 per cent of Gross Domestic Product.

The package intends to increase spending in these areas:
• Public housing programmes.
• Rural infrastructure projects, including water and renewable energy.
• Public transportation projects, including railway and airports.
• Healthcare and education.
• Environmental protection, including waste water treatment and forest restoration.
• High-tech industry by encouraging innovation.
• Reconstruction of disaster-affected areas.
• Subsidies, to increase rural and urban household income.
• Reforming the value-added tax (VAT) regime.
• Removing bank lending quotas and increasing the size of total loans.

—Shalini S. Dagar