Michael Pettis: China intensifies crackdown on debt-laden zombie companies

Michael Pettis: China intensifies crackdown on debt-laden zombie companies
China expands action against zombie companies

Michael Pettis, industry influencer, highlights recent steps by China’s top market regulator to address unprofitable, debt-laden so-called zombie companies.

Authorities have launched a pilot program in seven major economic hubs aimed at accelerating the forced exit of these firms from the market, marking a heightened effort to tackle corporate inefficiency.

Pettis has previously noted mounting stress in China's property sector as the top 100 developers reported a 23 percent sales decrease in the first quarter of 2026. In earlier commentary, he also examined how U.S. and UK financial sectors influenced trade surplus policies with major economies. The ongoing focus on corporate performance comes as Beijing contends with inefficiencies across several industries.

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