The global economic upheaval has affected China less than anticipated.  This is borne out partly from official statistics and empirical observation by independent sources.   The government’s 8% increase in GDP looks achievable over the year.  China differed from the official response in other countries, the US in particular, by diverting most of their $585 billion rescue package to boosting infrastructure, manufacturing and street-level retail, rather than have the money sloshing around within the banking and financial sectors. Sales of all kinds – including ‘big ticket’ items like cars – are buoyant at worst, booming at best.