Henan Province’s GDP dropped sharply in 2023, leading to ridicule and speculation about the province’s economic situation. On January 24, Henan Province announced that its gross regional product (GDP) in 2023 had decreased by 221.266 billion yuan compared to 2022. Despite this decrease, Henan officials claimed a year-on-year growth of 4.1%. This claim was based on a “revision” of the 2022 GDP, causing skepticism and ridicule among netizens.
Critics argue that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities and provincial officials have a habit of manipulating GDP data to showcase growth, even amid an economic recession. Henan’s case has drawn particular attention, as it revealed a significant decrease in GDP despite the claim of growth.
The revelation has also led to speculation about Lou Yangsheng, the official in charge of Henan Province and a former leader of the CCP in Zhejiang. Some experts believe that Lou may be using the “correction” of data as a self-protection strategy, deliberately exposing himself to turn defeat into victory.
Furthermore, the falsification of economic data in various provinces is not a new phenomenon in China. In the past, several provinces have admitted to inflating economic data, leading to questions about the reliability of official statistics.
As questions about the accuracy of China’s GDP growth rate continue to surface, experts and civilians are expressing disbelief in the official figures. The issue also raises concerns about the credibility of economic data and the potential impact on international investment and trade.
The controversy surrounding Henan’s GDP data has reignited the debate over the CCP’s manipulation of statistics and the need for transparency in economic reporting. As the situation unfolds, the accuracy and reliability of China’s economic data remain in question.