We asked our China watchers to explain how the world should read Xi Jinping’s approach to the economy, Taiwan, and more.

It has been widely believed for some time, both inside and outside of China, that current Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping will break with modern precedent and extend his reign into a third, five-year term. Xi, who also serves as the country’s president, has been working toward this outcome for years.

Chinese president Xi Jinping secured a third term in power as general secretary, and China is likely to continue along a more assertive course in global affairs. The United States and its allies need an updated strategy to navigate this period of relations with China.

The once-in-five-years event is slated not only to further cement Xi Jinping’s rule but also to have impact on a number of policy areas, from China’s economy to its relationship with the Global South.

Over the year, teams from the Atlantic Council and Rhodium Group have taken a dive into China’s economy to address a fundamental question: Is China becoming more or less like other open-market economies? 

The country’s rapidly metastasizing property downturn threatens to engulf heavily indebted developers, homeowners, financial institutions, and local governments.