Xi on weapons development and building Sci-tech strength; Positive spin for Liu-Yellen call; Carbon action plan

Today’s Essential Eight items:

1. Xi on weapons development and building Sci-tech strength

2. Outbreak lockdowns

3. Official reassurance over 10 questions about the PRC economy

4. US-China: Liu-Yellen call, climate linkage?

5. Taiwan and the UN

6. Xi and Macron have a chat

7. Carbon action plan

8. More protections coming for gig workers

Thanks for reading.