Growing pains: China’s faltering economy tests leadership’s nerve

Beijing is in a bind over harsh Covid lockdowns, a property crisis and tensions with western trading partners

On his tour of the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen last week, Li Keqiang, the premier, tried to send some positive energy at a time many citizens have been complaining of economic hardship.

China's opening will continue. The Yellow river and the Yangtze river will not flow backward," Li said, striking an upbeat tone while visiting Yantian Port, a gateway to Europe and North America, two of China's biggest markets.