Dear Reader,

If you squinted, the white dashes in the satellite photo looked a lot like sailors lining a dock next to China’s newest aircraft carrier. Another blurry photo showed bunting that could be – might be, just maybe – draping from the vessel’s control tower. A third indicated a freshly painted hull number on its deck. There was also presidential flight data, an unverified image of a first-day stamp cover and a closure notice from a state guest house. It all seemed like the country’s latest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, was on the verge of entering service. It didn’t take long for confirmation.

For a close look at China’s most advanced weapons, explore our multimedia project, The Red Arsenal. And dive into our series After the War on how World War II reshaped modern China.  

We welcome feedback. You can email me at globalimpact@scmp.com and if you enjoy this issue, let us know. 

 

The Big Picture

Arch frenemies 
The defence chiefs of US and China make a commitment to peace in a meeting soon after the Xi-Trump summit. 

• Why it matters: it was the first time the two men had spoken face to face, and they had much to discuss, including Taiwan
• Meanwhile, why did ceremonies for a Chinese sea goddess prompt concerns in Taiwan?
• And, what lesson does the “metallic” China-US bond of World War II have for today?
• Also, does the US-China trade truce give Southeast Asia any room to move?

With over 100 comments and counting, our Open Questions interview with John J. Mearsheimer on unavoidable anarchy sparked a lively debate. We’ve seen your diverse perspectives, and this week we’re highlighting one comment that gets to the heart of the discussion.

Rocky C. "Agree with Prof Mearsheimer on many theoretical analysis, however we must live in the world as it is today. The US has superior military power, and China has superior economic power. Can, or has, one ever been able to find balance between these 2 asymmetric powers?"

Our response: A sharp observation. Mearsheimer’s theory focuses on translating economic might into military power, which he says China is doing. Your question, however, points to a new dynamic. Historically, asymmetric balances are unstable – think Sparta (land) vs Athens (sea). In a globalised world, whether economic power is military power remains the ultimate test.

You've still got a couple of days to join the conversation!

Eyes front
Chinese generals sketch out a grand military plan for the next five years.

• Why it matters: the plan goes beyond fighting corruption to cutting costs and accelerating development of AI-driven weapons 
• But, how good are the PLA’s robot dogs in simulated landing drills?
• And, could China win a contest with the US “before a shot is fired”?
• And, how could Taiwan attend the Apec summit next year?

And, I’m sorry to say, it is not an alien spacecraft.

Wins and Fails

Chen-ning Yang is remembered as one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century  

Former central banker Yi Gang loses his leadership role in the country’s top advisory body 

Academic Wang Zheng makes the case for “new men” in the push for gender equality in China

The Chinese yuan is added to the currency basket for aviation settlements via IATA’s clearing house  

China’s Circular Electron Positron Collider project might be abandoned 

Shein goes into crisis mode after France suspends the fashion platform

Big Numbers

8.5% – the rise in marriage registrations in the first three quarters of this year

4.17% – the average annual GDP growth China will need through to 2035 to meet its development goals

Direct Quote 

“I was struck by how pro-market attitudes among Chinese students reminded me of the pro-market attitudes I find among my students in the US. European students tend to be more sceptical of markets.”

Michael Sandel, a political philosopher, weighs in on the US-China rivalry and newer generations.