Human societies have allowed for one giant loophole in their prohibition of citizens taking wealth from fellow citizens. We call it ‘government taxation.’
Guangdong Province’s sluggish economy reflects the broader national picture—both are shaped by Beijing’s refusal to undertake genuine political reform.
U.S. bans on advanced chips are impacting China and offering a parallel to Beijing’s threats to cut off rare earths, but both will likely lead to workarounds.