Companies form Mao Zedong-era militias

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He added that PAFDs could play an important role in maintaining domestic security, acting as a liaison between companies, society and security forces, while promoting patriotism and monitoring compliance with Chinese Communist Party directives. China’s economy has failed to return to robust growth following the end of pandemic controls in early 2023 as it has grappled with a protracted slowdown in the property sector, weaker consumer spending and a slump in export revenue. It has struggled to find new drivers after years of a debt-fuelled real estate investment boom. Beijing also faces greater geopolitical challenges in fraying ties with the...