A high-up view shows the tops of skyscrapers in the city of Nanjing, China, beneath a blue sky. The closest building is part of a China Evergrande Group housing project.
A high-up view shows the tops of skyscrapers in the city of Nanjing, China, beneath a blue sky. The closest building is part of a China Evergrande Group housing project.

Can Beijing Contain the Property Crisis?

As firms default on debt, China hopes to boost household spending—but it lacks consumer confidence.

Visitors walk past a dragon installation at a Lunar New Year fair in Chengdu, China, on Feb. 17.
Visitors walk past a dragon installation at a Lunar New Year fair in Chengdu, China, on Feb. 17.

The Dragon Won’t Bring China a Baby Boom

In the Chinese zodiac cycle, children born in the year of the dragon are considered lucky—but it’s unlikely to cause a bump in 2024.

Seen from above, a worker arranges red lanterns for upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations in Huaian, China.
Seen from above, a worker arranges red lanterns for upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations in Huaian, China.

China’s Stock Market Falters as Holiday Season Begins

Government action may not be able to stop slipping public confidence in the economy.

A delivery worker uses an escalator at a partially operating Evergrande commercial complex in Beijing.
A delivery worker uses an escalator at a partially operating Evergrande commercial complex in Beijing.

It’s Almost the End for China’s Evergrande

A Hong Kong judge ordered the property giant to liquidate, but courts in mainland China will set the timeline.

Investors look at screens showing stock market movements at a securities company in Fuyang, China, on Jan. 17.
Investors look at screens showing stock market movements at a securities company in Fuyang, China, on Jan. 17.

China’s Economy Is Off to a Bad Start in 2024

Chinese stock markets are in sharp decline, reflecting the gap between official optimism and investor pessimism.

Confetti falls as Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te speaks to supporters at a victory rally in Taipei.
Confetti falls as Taiwanese President-elect Lai Ching-te speaks to supporters at a victory rally in Taipei.

Taiwan’s New President Won’t Placate China

Still, Beijing’s reaction to Lai Ching-te’s victory has been surprisingly muted—for now.

A missile is fired from a military base in Lashio, Myanmar, on Oct. 28, 2023.
A missile is fired from a military base in Lashio, Myanmar, on Oct. 28, 2023.

Is China Playing Both Sides in Myanmar?

Anti-government forces’ campaign against cyberscams has benefited Beijing, even as it keeps up ties with the ruling junta.

People eat at a restaurant as a screen broadcasts Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year's speech in Beijing.
People eat at a restaurant as a screen broadcasts Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year's speech in Beijing.

China Closed 2023 With a Military Purge

Nine top generals were removed from Beijing’s rubber-stamp parliament last Friday.

A woman walks past images depicting the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong at a stall in an antique market in Beijing on Dec. 26.
A woman walks past images depicting the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong at a stall in an antique market in Beijing on Dec. 26.

5 Predictions for China in 2024

From a small crisis with Taiwan to growing youth disillusionment, here’s what China likely faces next year.

Medical staff triage a patient at the entrance of a busy hospital in Shanghai on Jan. 14.
Medical staff triage a patient at the entrance of a busy hospital in Shanghai on Jan. 14.

China’s Year in Review

Beijing had a difficult 2023, from COVID-19 fallout to unexpected political purges.

A view from the sky shows a partial blanket of fog settled over a several blocks of residential skyscrapers in Wuhan, China. The buildings are dozens of stories tall and architecturally similar to each other, although some are narrow and some are wider.
A view from the sky shows a partial blanket of fog settled over a several blocks of residential skyscrapers in Wuhan, China. The buildings are dozens of stories tall and architecturally similar to each other, although some are narrow and some are wider.

Chinese Shadow Bank Can’t Pay Up

A wealth management firm’s insolvency raises questions about unconventional lending institutions—a $3 trillion industry in China.

Children and their parents wait at an outpatient area at a children's hospital in Beijing.
Children and their parents wait at an outpatient area at a children's hospital in Beijing.

Cold and Flu Season Stirs Dread in China

An uptick in respiratory illnesses among children isn’t a new virus, but it hasn’t helped the public mood.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends an event on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. A U.S. flag hangs in the background.
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends an event on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. A U.S. flag hangs in the background.

This Isn’t a Honeymoon Phase for the U.S. and China

After last week’s Xi-Biden meeting, the world’s two chief powers have merely agreed to a cessation of hostilities.

U.S. President Joe Biden, right, gestures toward Chinese President Xi Jinping seen from behind at left. Behind them are U.S. and China flags. A blurry hand gestures to the left in front of them.
U.S. President Joe Biden, right, gestures toward Chinese President Xi Jinping seen from behind at left. Behind them are U.S. and China flags. A blurry hand gestures to the left in front of them.

Can Xi and Biden Repair U.S.-China Ties?

Their meeting in San Francisco will reportedly lead to pledges on areas of mutual concern, as tensions remain high.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping stand on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Bali. U.S. and Chinese flags hang behind them.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping stand on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Bali. U.S. and Chinese flags hang behind them.

Xi Gears Up for Long-Awaited U.S. Trip

The Chinese leader will meet Biden on the sidelines of a San Francisco summit in his first visit to the United States since 2017.

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