Interesting article in the Economist - the publication of results of the latest PRC Census is delayed.
The suspicion is that it shows that the Chinese population is now static or declining. This was forecast for 2030 ish but CV19 has had big impact.
The issue is that (on previous calculation) 30% of the Chinese population will be over 60 (and retired) by 2050. The amounts that will have to be spent on health care and looking after them is eye watering. And older people normally aren't keen on defence spending or wars - they want pensions, bus passes and care homes