President Xi Jinping relies on legions of local officials to govern China’s 1.4 billion people. A rare protest over the brutal attack of a schoolgirl has inflamed concerns over their credibility.

China's top leadership has recently pledged to curb "involutionary" competition amid intense price wars in the country.

Xi Jinping skips BRICS Summit for the first time amid speculation of political turbulence in China and divisions between member nations over trade and strategic interests

According to the SIPRI database, some of Pakistan’s major orders in the last five years include the country’s first spy ship, Rizwan; more than 600 VT-4 battle tanks and 36 J-10CE 4.5-generation fighter jets. China sent the first batch of multi-purpose J-10CE fighter jets to the Pakistani Air Force in 2022.

A newly published speech reiterates the president’s pledge to support China’s private companies as a recent survey shows many face challenges.