The Best Reads of the Week From Caixin

China’s economic growth accelerated for the first time in seven years in 2017, beating the government’s target. The resilience of the world’s second-largest economy may give policymakers more leeway to continue their efforts to rein in debt, reduce pollution and overhaul state-owned enterprises, measures that could weigh on expansion this year.

China’s outbound direct investment (ODI) marked its first-ever decline in 2017, as Beijing reined in overseas acquisitions and growing regulatory hurdles emerged in the important U.S. market, according to data released this week.

Fewer babies were born in China in 2017 — 630,000 fewer — than the year before, despite Beijing having ended the decades-long policy restricting most couples to one child.

Demand for smartphones in China has become so low that Apple Inc.’s flagship iPhone X is selling for less than its official price. The 6% price difference for a silver, 64-gigabyte iPhone X between online retailer JD.com and Apple’s official Chinese site epitomizes the current sluggish demand for phones in the world’s most-populous country.

When the founder of Qbao turned himself over to police in Nanjing shortly before the New Year’s holiday, it sent shockwaves through China and put a spotlight on illegal investment schemes on the internet, where rags-to-riches promises have outpaced the ability of authorities to shut them down.

These are the five stories that I don’t want you to miss from the past week. Please share your comments on The Weekender section and on our other coverage at news@caixin.com.

And when you’re done perusing these must-read stories, check out Caixin’s weekly digital magazine.

Kind regards,

Doug Young

Managing Editor

China’s Economy Sees First Growth Pick-Up in Seven Years

GDP rises 6.9% in 2017 supported by infrastructure spending and exports, but analysts expect slowdown this year as focus shifts to risk control

A Chinese national flag is seen in front of a high-rise residential project under construction in the city of Ji'nan, in east China's Shandong province, on Aug. 21, 2017. China’s economy expanded by 6.9% in 2017, the first increase in growth in seven years. Photo: IC

Crackdown Casts Chill on Overseas Investment

Nation records first annual drop in outbound activity since record-keeping began

Couples Not Delivering on Beijing’s Push for Two Babies

Despite end of one-child policy, births fall in 2017 as China faces rapidly aging population

Experts are calling for tax breaks and other incentives to encourage couples to have a second child. Photo: Visual China

Smartphone Users Disconnect From Latest Models

Sales, prices drop as 4G devices glut market, customers eschew older versions for full-screen ones

An attendee uses her smartphone on Monday at Tencent Holdings Ltd.’s WeChat Open Class Pro conference in the southern city of Guangzhou. Smartphone shipments in China fell nearly 10% in the first 11 months of 2017. Photo: Visual China

Qbao Founder in the Clink After Rags-to-Riches Promises

Nanjing-based company accused of pulling off what could be China’s largest online investment fraud, totaling $11 billion

Qbao founder Zhang Xiaolei turned himself in to the police over allegations he scammed investors. Photo: Visual China