MNI China Press Digest Aug 21: Demography, Stocks, Investment

Highlights from Chinese press reports on Thursday:

• Primary school teachers in several regions across China are being redeployed to junior and middle schools as demographic shifts reshape education demand. The Ministry of Education’s National Statistical Bulletin showed that in 2024, national primary school enrolment fell to 16.1 million, down 2.6 million from the previous year. In contrast, junior high school enrolment rose to 18.4 million, an increase of 941,200. Chen Zhiwen, a member of the Academic Committee of the China Society for Education Development Strategy, noted that shifting demographics will create teacher surpluses and shortages across primary, junior high, and high schools. (Source: Yicai)
• China's financial assets such as equities and funds can become the dominant component of household wealth, surpassing traditional asset classes, if the stock market exceeds CNY300 trillion by 2030, up from around CNY100 trillion as of August 2025, according to Teng Tai, president of the Wanbo New Economy Research Institute. The government and state-owned enterprises must scale back inefficient and unproductive investments in order to create more space for private capital, Teng added. (Source: Yicai)
• China’s investment activity is expected to regain momentum in the later stages, despite the recent slowdown in nominal investment growth, as short-term pressures ease and the impact of pro-investment policies take effect, according to Wang Qing, chief macro analyst at Dongfang Jincheng. Zhu Hualei, senior investment consultant at Shaanxi Jufeng Investment Information, emphasised the need to accelerate the advancement of large-scale initiatives already planned or under construction, ensuring completion and operation start as early as possible. (Source: Securities Daily)