Foreign Policy’s China Brief for this week provides insights into various developments in China. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ended the year with a notable military purge, removing nine high-ranking generals from the National People’s Congress (NPC). This move is seen as a means for the CCP to assert its authority over the military and address corruption within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Chinese President Xi Jinping’s New Year speech reiterated the nation’s advancements but also acknowledged economic challenges. Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai is currently on trial on sedition charges under the National Security Law. Additionally, changes in gaming regulations in China caused a stock market panic, highlighting the government’s influence over economic sectors. Furthermore, Argentina’s withdrawal from the BRICS group, led by far-right libertarian President Javier Milei, reflects geopolitical shifts as various countries align themselves in anticipation of future global dominance.
