The burgeoning market for GLP-1 drugs in China is not limited to humans. Companies are already seeking regulatory approval for veterinary versions to manage weight in pets, particularly cats. This niche market signals a significant cultural shift towards humanizing pets and spending heavily on their healthcare in modern China.
With over half its adult population overweight, Beijing treats obesity as a national threat requiring state intervention. This framing justifies institutional solutions like military-style "fat prisons" and nationwide weight management campaigns, viewing the problem through its impact on healthcare costs and national productivity.
Faced with geopolitical uncertainty in key supplier nations, China employs a dual strategy for energy security. It has built a massive oil stockpile providing 120 days of cover for supply disruptions. Concurrently, it's rapidly electrifying its transport sector to reduce its long-term dependence on imported oil.
China's independent refiners, known as "Shandong teapots," benefit significantly from sanctioned oil. They purchase discounted crude from countries like Venezuela, boosting their margins and supporting local economies. This trade is often conducted in renminbi, furthering China's goal of de-dollarization in energy markets.
China's strategy in Latin America is not just about oil and loans. It includes extensive sales of military equipment, intelligence sharing, pushing its 5G and Beidou satellite systems, and even foreign aid. This deep, multi-faceted integration makes its presence resilient, even with setbacks like Venezuela.
While Venezuela was a key oil supplier and geopolitical asset, it was also seen as a failed investment ("money gone to waste"). Iran, by contrast, is a core strategic partner in China's "axis of ill will" against U.S. influence. A regime collapse in Iran would be a far more significant blow to China's global strategy.
While Chinese firms are anxious about their Venezuelan assets, their history in Iraq provides a roadmap. After the 2003 US-led invasion, Chinese companies were initially worried but eventually became the largest investors in Iraq's oil industry. This suggests a long-term strategy of patience and high risk tolerance to outlast political instability.
China has over 60 GLP-1 weight-loss drug candidates in late-stage trials. This impending wave of domestic production is expected to trigger a fierce price war, drastically lowering costs. The likely result is a global flood of affordable Ozempic-style drugs, challenging the dominance of Western pharmaceutical companies.