China’s Communist Party begins major eco meetings

China’s ruling Communist Party kicked off four days of closed-door meetings on Monday involving high-ranking officials in discussions on long-term economic planning, state media reported.

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The talks come at an uncertain time for the world’s second-largest economy, beset by sluggish domestic spending, a protracted crisis in the property sector and a turbulent trade war with the United States.

Observers are closely watching the gathering of the Central Committee -- an elite body composed of around 200 members and 170 alternates -- for signs of the party’s core policy objectives.