Also Read | China’s Xi hails nation’s technological progress and renews pledge to take back TaiwanEconomic strains and the turn inwardChina’s 2025 economic growth was weaker than official figures (about 5%) suggest. China’s trade surplus crossed $1 trillion in the first 11 months of 2025. Emerging nuclear doctrinal shifts, such as movement toward an “early warning counter-strike” posture, suggest a more assertive and risk-tolerant military. Under the U.S. National Security Strategy 2025, China is no longer framed as a systemic rival but primarily as an economic competitor. China’s attempts to stabilise major-power ties were undercut by its harsh response to the Japanese Prime Minister’s comment on Taiwan.

Source: The Hindu January 04, 2026 19:40 UTC