Residents line up for COVID-19 tests in Ningbo, China, on Dec. 8.
Residents line up for COVID-19 tests in Ningbo, China, on Dec. 8.

The Stories That Could Define China in 2022

From the threat of omicron to Xi’s third term, these are the trends to watch.

A health worker takes a swab sample at a makeshift COVID-19 testing center.
A health worker takes a swab sample at a makeshift COVID-19 testing center.

How Will China Respond to the Omicron Variant?

Despite few recorded cases, Beijing is likely to tighten restrictions—especially ahead of the Winter Olympics.

Pedestrians walk in an alleyway lined with neon signs in Macao on Jan. 22, 2020.
Pedestrians walk in an alleyway lined with neon signs in Macao on Jan. 22, 2020.

Macao’s Casino Industry Is Struggling

A high-profile arrest and political disapproval add to COVID-19-induced woes.

Peng Shuai of China returns a shot against Daria Kasatkina of Russia during the women's singles first round match of 2019 China Open at the China National Tennis Center in Beijing on Sept. 28, 2019.
Peng Shuai of China returns a shot against Daria Kasatkina of Russia during the women's singles first round match of 2019 China Open at the China National Tennis Center in Beijing on Sept. 28, 2019.

Peng Shuai and the CCP’s Clumsy Propaganda Effort

The cover-up adds to pressure for a U.S. boycott of the Olympics.

A large screen displays U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a virtual summit outside a shopping mall in Beijing on Nov. 16.
A large screen displays U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a virtual summit outside a shopping mall in Beijing on Nov. 16.

Xi-Biden Summit Produces Few Breakthroughs

The White House still lacks a coherent China strategy.

Books on Chinese President Xi Jinping are seen on display at a bookstore in Beijing on Nov. 8.
Books on Chinese President Xi Jinping are seen on display at a bookstore in Beijing on Nov. 8.

How Will Xi Jinping Rewrite History?

At a meeting this week, the Chinese leader will take the opportunity to turn his narrative into doctrine.

Health workers conduct COVID-19 tests on travelers exiting Yantai Railway Station in Shandong province, China, on Nov. 2.
Health workers conduct COVID-19 tests on travelers exiting Yantai Railway Station in Shandong province, China, on Nov. 2.

Can China Maintain Its Zero-COVID Policy?

Despite extremely low case numbers, lockdowns are becoming increasingly disruptive.

Workers pull a rope as a cargo ship carrying containers docks at the Lianyungang Port Container Terminal in Lianyungang, China on March 24.
Workers pull a rope as a cargo ship carrying containers docks at the Lianyungang Port Container Terminal in Lianyungang, China on March 24.

Why China’s Supply Chains Are Breaking Down

Fear of coronavirus outbreaks and recent manufacturing struggles are causing disruptions with global ripple effects.

Residential buildings under construction are seen in Yichang, China, on Oct. 20.
Residential buildings under construction are seen in Yichang, China, on Oct. 20.

Property Crisis Underpins China’s Economic Slowdown

Real estate has become the dominant investment in China because it isn’t taxed. The sector is in trouble.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen attends national day celebrations in Taipei on Oct. 10.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen attends national day celebrations in Taipei on Oct. 10.

Why China Won’t Back Off Taiwan

Concessions to Taipei remain politically risky in Beijing.

People watch a flight demonstration of Chengdu Aircraft Corporation's J-10s, made for for the People's Liberation Army Air Force, in Zhuhai, China.
People watch a flight demonstration of Chengdu Aircraft Corporation's J-10s, made for for the People's Liberation Army Air Force, in Zhuhai, China.

What Do China’s Taiwan Intrusions Mean?

Warplanes buzzing the island’s buffer zone send a signal to the Taiwanese leadership—and to those on the mainland.

Electrical workers carry out maintenance work on a transmission tower in Qingdao, China, on Sept. 24.
Electrical workers carry out maintenance work on a transmission tower in Qingdao, China, on Sept. 24.

China Faces an Electricity Crisis

Blackouts and factory shutdowns add more strain to the economy and threaten to disrupt global supply chains.

A Chinese flag waves in front of the Evergrande Center building in Shanghai, China, on Sept. 22.
A Chinese flag waves in front of the Evergrande Center building in Shanghai, China, on Sept. 22.

Will China Bail Out Evergrande?

Even if it does, the real estate giant’s crisis doesn’t bode well for the economy.

The construction site of an Evergrande housing complex is seen in Zhumadian, China, on Sept. 14.
The construction site of an Evergrande housing complex is seen in Zhumadian, China, on Sept. 14.

Has China’s Housing Crisis Finally Arrived?

The government seeks to avoid Evergrande Group becoming Beijing’s Lehman Brothers.

Two girls play video games at a digital art exhibition at a museum in Beijing on Aug. 12.
Two girls play video games at a digital art exhibition at a museum in Beijing on Aug. 12.

Why China Is Cracking Down on Video Games

New restrictions on how much time minors can spend gaming reflect broader ideological concerns.

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