The economic reality facing China as leaders huddle | International

BEIJING, Oct 22, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The top brass of China's ruling Communist Party is gathering in Beijing this week to devise a strategy that will steer the country through 2030 and shape its trade relationships. Having risen from isolation and poverty just decades ago to become a technological and manufacturing superpower, China is now the world's second-largest economy, its exports filling global shipping lanes. However, the challenges confronting leaders are considerable, with a rapidly ageing population, sluggish household spending and heightened trade frictions with the United States and its allies weighing down growth. This week's "fourth plenum" of the Central Committee -- focused on formulating the party's next five-year plan and scheduled to conclude Thursday -- is being closely...