The questions that now face China are whether it can maintain its internal stability and contribute to the vitality of the wider global economy. Like many economic juggernauts before it — Japan springs to mind — China seemed unstoppable. Its economy hummed along at the almost unimaginable annual growth rate of about 10 percent. No obstacle seemed beyond its power to surmount. After the 2008-2009 financial crisis, it adopted a huge stimulus package equal to about 13 percent of its gross domestic product. Growth resumed, and China’s leaders were widely praised. It now turns out that the Chinese — like the Japanese — ... (full story)