China | Local-government debt

Looking for ways to spend

Buried in debt, the government struggles to lure investors in local projects

|CHANGZHOU

THE Ensen Care old-age home, which is soon to open, knows its target market. A mah-jong table takes pride of place in its recreation room. Space has been made outside for tai chi practice in the morning and line dancing, much loved by Chinese pensioners, at dusk. Photos in glass cabinets depict the imagined lives of its prospective residents: grainy pictures of youths in Red Guard uniforms next to studio portraits with grandchildren in more prosperous later years.

This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “Looking for ways to spend”

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