China’s 5% GDP target shows Xi’s crackdowns not over

Back to normal: People walking along a street in Sheung Shui near the border of mainland China in Hong Kong ahead of the reopening of the border on Jan 8. — AFP

PRESIDENT Xi Jinping is putting on a show for the world.

After Beijing staged an abrupt exit from zero-Covid three months ago, the hope was that a strong economic rebound in China would lift demand for everything, from oil and iron ore to international tourism.