Summary: The spread of the novel coronavirus in and beyond China has potentially profound implications, for Xi Jinping's standing and China's global weight and prestige. For countries like Australia, the virus has already inflicted a sharp economic shock. The Lowy Institute hosted a panel discussion on the impact of the virus on Australia and the world. Natasha Kassam, Research Fellow at the Lowy Institute, hosted the discussion with a panel of experts: Richard Yetsenga, ANZ's Chief Economist; Philippa Jones, Managing Director of China Policy; and Richard McGregor, the Institute’s Senior Fellow for East Asia. Richard Yetsenga is the Chief Economist and Head of Research at ANZ. Prior to joining ANZ, he was an economist and strategist at HSBC and Deutsche Bank in Hong Kong. Philippa Jones is a regulatory and trade policy specialist. She founded China Policy, a strategic advisory firm based in Beijing, and formerly held roles at the EU-China Trade Project and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Richard McGregor is a Senior Fellow at the Lowy Institute. He is the award-winning author of The Party: The Secret World of China’s Communist Rulers and the recent Lowy Institute Paper Xi Jinping: The Backlash.
