The reaction doubtless delighted Beijing policymakers, particularly when recalling the limp response in New York to some of US treasurer Hank Paulson's cheques. And, at face value, there is room for cheer. The country responsible for a good slug of global economic growth is spending just shy of $600bn, or a fifth of GDP, to keep its engines firing. It will build more railways, airports and houses, putting laid-off factory and construction labourers back to work and ensuring continued demand for all manner of commodities.
市場的反應毫無疑問會讓北京的決策者們感到高興,尤其是當他們回想起美國財政部長漢克•鮑爾森(Hank Paulson)開出的一些支票只在紐約獲得有氣無力的回應之時。而且,就該計劃的面值而言,他們也配得上這種喝彩。爲全球經濟成長貢獻頗多的中國,將支出將近6000億美元以保持經濟成長動力,這相當於其國內生產毛額(GDP)的五分之一。中國將修建更多的鐵路、機場和住房,讓工廠和建築工地的失業工人重獲工作,並確保對各類大宗商品的持續需求。