Xi Jinping's hallmark foreign policy seems to be undergoing some belt tightening. The focus is now on profitable projects, richer countries and strategic gain for China. Really we're in a new era now, one in which poor countries will be overlooked.
The Belt and Road initiative to encircle much of the world with Chinese-funded, Chinese-built infrastructure is growing leaner and more penny-wise. But its ambitions are undimmed. Energy-market turmoil has given a boost to the green transition—a boost that has come with hard truths about the shift’s costs. And a television show about Jesus Christ becomes an unlikely hit.
For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer