China is the world’s second-largest economy after the US, and when it gets a sniffle, many other nations’ economies get a cold… So it’s time to stock up on the tissues with officials forecasting economic growth of around 5.5% – a big cut on 8.1% last year. China is also cutting interest rates, and the government has pledged more tax cuts. “The world economic recovery lacks drive,” Premier Li Keqiang said on Saturday. Speaking of drive, China hasn’t been compelled to say much about the war its buddy Russia has waged in Ukraine. But it does raise questions about what might happen if China attempts to forcibly reunite with Taiwan. Defence Minister Peter Dutton yesterday said that Australia may send weapons to Taiwan if that happens. With regional security still a thing, he said the government might acquire nuclear subs earlier than the expected 2040 timeline. Some of the details are to be revealed by PM Scott Morrison in a speech to the Lowy Institute today.