China's Decade of Change Under Xi Jinping, in Nine Charts

Over the past two decades, China’s share of global gross domestic product has more than quadrupled as the country became the world's factory floor.

But growth has slowed since Xi Jinping took over.

The market capitalization of China’s biggest internet companies has fallen, in part due to Mr. Xi’s crackdown on the powerful sector.

One area where China has excelled is in patent applications. The U.S. is still the leader in total patents in force, with 3.3 million in 2020 compared with China’s 3.1 million.

A looming challenge for the economy is the country’s shrinking birth rate, despite the scrapping of the one-child policy in 2016. That leaves fewer young people to support a growing number of older people.

Under Mr. Xi, the Chinese state has stretched far deeper into citizens’ lives —including through increased surveillance.

China's Covid policies include strict lockdowns and increased tracking of citizens. The country has reported about 5,200 deaths from Covid, while the U.S. has had more than 1 million.

Mr. Xi tightened his grip on power as he embarked on an anticorruption campaign. Punishments could include censure, expulsion from the party, imprisonment and even death sentences.

Spending on China’s military has significantly expanded under Mr. Xi, yet questions remain about its readiness for battle.