Dear Focus Reader,

Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a safe and peaceful holiday.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping concluded the year with his annual televised New Year's Eve speech, where he acknowledged ongoing economic concerns in the country, such as struggling businesses and difficulties finding work. In efforts to solve these problems, he emphasized that Beijing will "consolidate and enhance the positive trend of its economic recovery in 2024, and sustain long-term economic development with deeper reforms."

As we wait to see if 2024 continues the momentum in bilateral engagement between China and the U.S. that occurred in 2023, analysts see the pre-New Year appointment of a new Chinese Defense Minister as a potential positive step toward revitalizing military-to-military engagements. Unlike his predecessor Li Shangfu, who was dismissed from the position in October, the new defense minister, Admiral Dong Jun, isn't on any U.S. sanctions list. While official appointments will likely happen at the National People's Congress in March and the next Third Plenum meeting, the announcement comes just a few weeks after the agreement between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi during their November meeting at APEC to reinstate these contacts. Beijing had previously refused to let Li Shangfu have direct contact with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin until Washington lifted sanctions on Li—an action it declined to take.

Additionally, Xi convened the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs at the end of December, a meeting that has occurred roughly once every five years during Xi's leadership. At the meeting, Xi presented a systematic overview of work done during his tenure and discussed the future tasks at hand.

"We must focus on the central task of the CPC and the country, seek progress while maintaining stability, break new ground while upholding fundamental principles, and firmly safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests," he said.

Stay up to date on global developments by catching up on our latest Focus content, including topics covering China's role on the world stage, global climate governance, and China-EU relations.