Xi Jinping’s rare meeting with tech moguls, including Jack Ma, signals a shift in China’s approach to the private sector. Facing economic struggles, U.S. trade tensions, and DeepSeek’s AI success, Xi needs private innovation. However, censorship and state control remain obstacles. While China must support its businesses to compete globally, true innovation demands freedom. The big question: Can China’s private sector thrive under Xi’s rules, or will restrictions stifle its growth?