China's Hidden Tech Acquisitions & Military Purge

Summary

China is systematically absorbing Western innovation by acquiring research-intensive firms through hidden corporate ownership, leading to a surge in patents back home, according to a new study. This strategy, revealed by analyzing trillions in global corporate assets, suggests Beijing is using globalization to accelerate its technological rise. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping's sweeping military purge continues with suspended death sentences for two former defense ministers, signaling a focus on loyalty and control within the People's Liberation Army, especially concerning missile forces. This internal consolidation, however, leaves leadership hollowed out and potentially unprepared for immediate geopolitical actions like a Taiwan showdown. On the economic front, Chinese renewable energy exports are predicted to rise significantly, while the US is concerned about China's acquisition of critical technologies, even as domestic chip development gains momentum.