WASHINGTON —
Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent meeting with tech executives, including Jack Ma, signals a shift from regulatory crackdowns to a more supportive stance toward China's private sector.
This follows China's cyclical pattern of tech regulation: initial leniency, strict crackdowns, and eventual relaxation to restore market confidence.
The policy shift stems from economic concerns as China faces slowing growth and needs for the private sector to drive innovation and employment. While the tech sector enters a period of regulatory easing, the duration remains uncertain as China's regulatory pendulum could swing back if new economic or political concerns emerge.
