China's challenges and effectiveness in achieving its national interests

What this note covers

1. China's stated national interests
2. Internal challenge: slowing growth and the property-sector debt crisis
3. Internal challenge: demographic decline and domestic political control
4. External challenge: US-led balancing, the Quad, and AUKUS
5. External challenge: South China Sea disputes and regional friction
6. External challenge: de-risking and economic diversification by trade partners
7. Evaluating effectiveness: an evidence-based judgment

7 sections · 14 key terms & formulas · 6 common mistakes