Despite international tensions, the trade war between Washington and Beijing, and extended lockdown due to COVID-19, China's GDP grew by 5 percent last year. Despite widespread predictions of a de-coupling (decoupling) between the Chinese economy and the Western economic space, and despite some high-tech sectors undoubtedly experiencing a slowdown of the interplay, foreign investors' interest in the Chinese market continues to be relevant: during the days when Russia invaded Ukraine, Elon Musk announced the opening of a new Tesla plant in Shanghai. Mindful of the conclusion of a cycle of globalization, Xi Jinping has launched a strategy of "dual circulation," both internal and external, to create an economy less dependent on exports, and where domestic consumption can be a real driver of growth.

What is the true state of the Chinese economy? What domestic critical issues does it face? What are its strengths? How is China responding to U.S. pressure? The development dynamics of the Chinese economy and Beijing's contribution to global economic governance is the subject section of this issue of OrizzonteCina. The issue also features a second theme section, which investigates Italian university students' perceptions of China in light of a recent survey conducted by the Italy-China Competence and Sentiment Observatory.