South Korean President Moon Goes To Beijing; Beijing Government Has Had A Rough Couple Of Weeks; Record Land Sales in 2017; Dalian Still Has "Pernicious Influence" of Bo Xilai

Good morning from cold DC...The Central Economic Work Conference date looks to be confirmed for December 18. Don't expect specific policy details out of the meeting but it is very important in setting the top-level themes and directions, especially right after a Party Congress.

Next week I will be traveling and so there will only be 2-3 three newsletters. The publishing schedule will also be reduced the week of Christmas. I do not want to go dark but given everyone’s schedules the newsletters next week and the week after will be shorter. If any readers are in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and would like to get together next week let me know. My kids will be skiing but after my injury this time last year I am not sure I will be.

Thanks for reading.

The Essential Eight

1. South Korean President Moon Goes To Beijing

Comment: It does not sound like it will be an easy trip, but there has been a rapprochement over THAAD, and Moon appears much closer to Xi's position over North Korea, at least around th…