“美国病了，病得不轻。七国集团还是给美国把把脉，开药方吧 The United States is sick. The G7 should feel its pulse and prescribe medicine for it.” - Zhao Lijian on the G-7 communique.

Today’s Essential Eight items:

1. Xi on history

2. Reactions to G-7 and NATO summits

3. Hong Kong, PRC

4. Covid-19 origins

5. New US naval task force for China?

6. Disappointing holiday consumption

7. Winter just starting for tutoring firms?

8. Trial of Tennessee academic

Thanks for reading