Unsafe as houses? Evergrande and China’s big plans

<p>The wildly indebted property firm has defaulted at last. That poses big risks as China’s leadership works to <a href="https://www.economist.com/leaders/2021/12/11/china-courts-global-capital-on-its-own-terms?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">refashion</a> financial markets and draw in foreign investors. We visit the world’s largest lithium reserves, asking why Bolivia has not yet made the most of them—and <a href="https://www.economist.com/the-americas/how-bolivian-lithium-could-help-fight-climate-change/21806677?utm_campaign=a.io&amp;utm_medium=audio.podcast.np&amp;utm_source=theintelligence&amp;utm_content=discovery.content.anonymous.tr_shownotes_na-na_article&amp;utm_term=sa.listeners" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">whether it still might</a>. And the Chopin concert aimed at calming Poland’s refugee tensions.</p><p>Have your say about “The Intelligence” in our survey here&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligencesurvey</a>. And for full access to print, digital and audio editions of <em>The Economist</em>, subscribe here <a href="http://www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer</a></p> &#10;&nbsp;<br /><hr><p style='color: grey; font - size: 0.75em; '>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>