Dear reader,

The countdown has begun in earnest to the longest ever Lunar New Year “golden week” holiday in China – nine days of family and festivities that get under way next weekend. The government hopes the longer break will bring out the inner consumer but much of the population is already feeling spent. The battle to get train and plane tickets has begun and the struggle with traffic and baggage is real. Where couples once travelled to see ageing parents together, now it’s enough for one to make the annual migration.

For a close look at developments in China’s military, explore The Red Arsenal.

The Big Picture

Hard graft 
The Communist Party signals that the crackdown on corruption in the military is nowhere near its end and is core to strengthening the armed forces.

• Why it matters: the focus on corruption has implications for Taiwan and the prospects of a cross-strait conflict
• Meanwhile, what do “big rats” have to do with the military budget?

Ring around
Chinese President Xi Jinping calls his US counterpart Donald Trump within hours of a video call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

• Why it matters: timing is everything, especially with a nuclear pact about to expire and Iran in flux
• Meanwhile, the US tries to get serious about critical minerals
• And, Lithuania makes a policy U-turn on China
• And, a Nato member reaffirms hopes to join Brics

Wins and Fails

Psychiatric hospitals are under scrutiny over alleged insurance scams

Three senior defence industry executives are removed from the national legislature

The J-10C makes its debut at the Singapore Airshow 

The YJ18-C missile shows potential as a logistics killer against the US Navy 

Big Numbers

300 – the number of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets Lockheed Martin expects to have in the Asia-Pacific by 2035

US$124 billion  –  China’s new outbound direct investment in 2025

2% – the proportion of pilots at Chinese airlines who are foreign

Direct Quote

“I don’t think we should be running after an Australia moment or a Canada moment or all of a sudden become friends with China today because we have a shift in the US policy. I think there is a certain build-up that has to take place before we start thinking about any great bargain.”

Joanna Szychowska, the EU's top trade official for Asia, weighs in on what Brussels should do next