Somewhat slower growth will allow a reforming Chinese economy to become more stable and should be good news, the head of China’s central bank said yesterday, after the country announced its lowest expansion rate in 24 years.

With angry protesters emboldened in the wake of recent disputed Russian election results, Robert Conquest ponders the future for a country riven by a history of misrule

With capitalist-style reforms topping his agenda, China’s premier opened its legislature today by vowing more action to help the poor and thrust the economy forward – including cutting taxes for farmers and streamlining regulations for entrepreneurs.