Hi everyone, I am back, though still sucking wind. Thanks for the nice notes from many of you, there is clearly something really nasty going around, hope none of you get it. The is Reform and Opening Anniversary Party week. Xi is giving a speech at 10 AM Beijing time Tuesday that will be broadcast on CCTV and major Internet portals. Beyond the propaganda push, including more attacks on “vested interests” blocking reform, there have been messaging efforts to convince observers that Xi will be making some major announcements in his speech, including of measures that may move China much closer to acceding to many of the US trade demands, steps that would be spun as due to domestic imperatives as opposed to US pressure, the whispers say.