Today’s Essential Eight items:

1. Xi celebrates the success of the 100th anniversary celebrations

2. Economic data not relaxing policymakers

3. Hong Kong

4. US adds pressure over Xinjiang

5. Xi chats with leaders of Turkey, Ukraine and Barbados

6. China and Taiwan in Japan’s 2021 defense white paper

7. Nationalist attacks on LGBTQ+ groups

8. Strengthening oversight of leading officials