China on course for double-digit growth in '09 - Newton's Pidcock

The Chinese government's stimulus programme could deliver double-digit growth for the region in Q4, according to Newton Investment's Jason Pidcock.

Pidcock, who manages the Newton Oriental fund, says China has "hardly broken stride" in its race for economic expansion, adding the gloabl credit crunch has handed the nation an "unprecedented" opportunity to close the gap on its western rivals. "The Chinese authorities are continuing to pull every lever at their command to make this happen," he says. However, Pidcock says there are concerns the government-led growth could be unsustainable, because it can not force banks to lend indefinitely. "There is no doubt that this is a calculated gamble," he adds. "The Chinese government is ...