When times are tough, human nature generally dictates that we tend to worry more.  And when it comes to the financial side of things, when people start to worry more, they tend to become more conservative.  Broadly speaking, this is what we know as consumer confidence.  And right now in many parts of the world, thanks mainly to the global financial crisis, consumer confidence is weak, leading to massive fluctuations in the markets.  However, a recent survey done here in China and other emerging economies seems to show that despite the global slowdown, there are some parts of the world that are still bullish about the future. 

Ni hao, you're listening to  People In the Know, your window into the world around you, online at crienglish.com here on China Radio International.  In this edition of the program we'll be talking about the consumer confidence levels here in China.  So let's get started.

(Music)

First we'll hear from the people who did a recent consumer confidence survey here in China.  Chris Morley is the Managing Director of Nielsen here in China.

(Dialogue with Morley)

And after we take a short break, we'll hear from a Chinese expert.

(Promo)

Ni hao, you're listening to  People In the Know, your window into the world around you, online at crienglish.com here on China Radio International.  I'm Paul James in Beijing.  In this edition of the program we're talking about the consumer confidence levels here in China.  For more on this we're joined on the line now by Dr. Lu Zhi, Associate Professor of Marketing at the School of Management with Fudan University in Shanghai.

(Dialogue with Lu)

And that closes out this edition of  People In the Know, online at crienglish.com here on China Radio International.  Consumer confidence is always difficult to measure.  However, if this most recent Nielson survey is any indication, people here in China appear to realize that the prospect for continued economic growth remains high.  Questions or comments for us can be sent to people@cri.com.cn.  For Executive Director Zhao Yang and Producers Chen Mo and Xu Yang, I'm Paul James in Beijing.  Enjoy the day.