Xi Jinping has much to worry about in 2025

A struggling economy, rising social tensions and Donald Trump will test China’s leader

SOON AFTER he took power in 2012, Xi Jinping urged caution about China’s prospects. “The further our cause advances,” he told fellow leaders, “the more new situations and problems will arise, the more risks and challenges we will face and the more unforeseen events we will encounter.” As China’s economy flounders and social tensions increase—and with Donald Trump about to enter the White House—the coming year will be full of the kind of difficulties Mr Xi feared.

This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “Much to worry about”

From the January 4th 2025 edition

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