What’s wrong with China’s stock market?

Just about everything, according to a statement from Xiao Gang [at the time, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission] delivered at a national meeting of Chinese securities officials….

In the statement, Mr Xiao defended his handling of successive market meltdowns, blaming the “abnormal volatility” on “an immature market, inexperienced investors, imperfect trading system, flawed market mechanisms and inappropriate supervision systems.”

He got that last part partially right—and only that much.

What’s wrong with the PRC’s stock market is inexperienced regulators and the idea that a functioning national economy can be managed—governed—from the center.