MNI China Press Digest Feb 18: Q1 Easing, Fiscal Aid, Property

The following lists highlights from Chinese press reports on Friday:

• China should conduct monetary easing in the first quarter, a window before the expected rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve beginning in March, which will widen differences in the two economies' policies, the Securities Daily said citing analyst Fan Ruoying of Bank of China research. China’s economy needs further monetary support given shrinking demand, supply disruptions and weakening outlook, the daily said citing economist Luo Zhiheng with Yuekai Securities.
• China will fully utilize fiscal policy in stabilizing investment and boosting consumption, as the central government will increase infrastructure investment and guide private capital to invest in transportation, ecological environment and social services, wrote Minister of Finance Liu Kun in the official People’s Daily. China will advance fiscal policy efforts early this year to maintain a stable economic environment and prepare for the CPC's 20th Congress later this year, wrote Liu.
• More cities in China, especially smaller cities facing prolonged weak real estate markets, may lower the required down payment on home mortgages, with the latest move introduced in Heze city in Shandong province, the China Securities Journal reported citing analyst Chen Wenjing with China Index Academy. Heze, home to about 9 million, cut down payment requirement to 20% from 30% for first-time homebuyers, a clear easing signal by the authorities, the newspaper said citing Yan Yuejing, the director of E-house China Research and Development Institution. New home sales in Hezhe fell about 42% y/y in January, the newspaper added.