Xi Jinping’s Ideological Ambition Darkens China’s Economic Prospects

Xi Jinping two years ago laid out an ambitious plan to expand China’s wealth and double the size of its economy by 2035.

The target will require China’s economy to grow at an average of nearly 5 percent annually over 15 years, according to estimates by policymaking officials. Many economists inside and outside China now believe that 5% will be unattainable, not only this year but also in the long term.