An opinion article from The Diplomat writes, "In a bold move, the United States China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) has again demonstrated its ability to operate independently from the 'China threat' thesis that has bedeviled its work since its creation in 2000...This report, though subject to the usual disclaimer about not representing the Commission's view, represents a major evolution in U.S. understanding of the world in which it lives and presages a more informed debate in the United States about the development path on which China is traveling. It also should contribute to a reduction in hysteria in the United States about China's military and national power." 

"President Xi Jinping is expected to authorize robust defense spending for this year despite China's slowing economy, determined to strengthen the country's armed capabilities amid growing unease in Beijing at Washington's renewed focus on Asia. While China keeps the details of its military spending secret, experts said additional funding would likely go toward beefing up the navy with anti-submarine ships and developing more aircraft carriers beyond the sole vessel in operation.The military budget will be announced at the start of the annual meeting of China's parliament on March 5. Last year, defense spending rose 12.2 percent to $130 billion, second only to the United States...Other factors would now keep defense spending high, from the U.S. military and diplomatic 'rebalancing' to Asia to Xi's crackdown on corruption in the People's Liberation Army..." reports Reuters.  

According to Quartz, "China's ministry of environment has announced proudly that air pollution eased in 74 cities that are part of a national clean-up campaign. Levels of PM2.5, dangerous air particulates small enough to enter people's bloodstream, fell by an average of 11% in these cities last year, according to a press release. But that nugget of good news is contradicted by the fact that only eight of those 74 cities met basic national air quality standards, according to an earlier report from the same ministry. It's an example of the one step forward, two steps back nature of progress that characterizes China's battle with smog...Smog continues to envelope Beijing and other big cities. A recent study of 31 Chinese cities by Greenpeace found that air pollution is causing more premature deaths than smoking, remarkable in a country where smoking rates are among the highest in the world." 

The Wall Street Journal writes, "China is considering forging megamergers among its big state oil companies, seeking to create new national champions able to take on the likes of Exxon Mobil Corp. and produce greater efficiencies at a time of low prices. At the request of China's leadership, government economic advisers are conducting a feasibility study of options for consolidation, according to officials with knowledge of the research... No timetable has been set for a decision on whether or when to proceed with the various proposed mergers, said the officials. Spokespeople for the four Chinese oil companies and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, which oversees the largest state enterprises, declined to comment or didn't respond to queries."