China’s alleyways reveal its economic woes as Beijing’s legislature devises plan to address them

Walking through Beijing’s hutongs, you can easily see the image Xi Jinping’s government wants to project to the world. The traditional lanes are one of the few reminders of China’s past while providing a glimpse into its economic future. Usually a bustling hive of activity, they are dotted with brightly lit tourist shops selling everything from knick-knacks to tanghulu, skewers of fruit covered in a thick layer of crystal clear, glistening sugar. At a glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking this was the perfect picture of a thriving economy. But look a little closer and you notice some stores are…