Those rumors about Xi; US "lies" about IP theft; Fengqiao Experience; Ozone pollution soaring; More on fiscal vs. monetary policy; Think tanks; Idols

Happy Wednesday, going to go straight into the comments below.

Housekeeping note: I am driving up to Maine Thursday to pick up our kids from camp and so there will be no Sinocism newsletter Thursday or Axios China Weekly on Friday. Normal publishing will resume Monday. I am always happy to get tips, either over email or Signal +13012460858.

Thanks for reading.