A sleek Chinese-made ute is suddenly one of the most popular vehicles on Australian roads. It’s cheap, fast and packed with tech. But behind its rise are questions security agencies are struggling to grapple with.

Because the cars we drive today are no longer just cars; they’re also data collection tools. And in a tense geopolitical climate the lines between convenience and surveillance are blurring.

Australia is about to receive a visit from the most senior Chinese leader we've had on our shores in almost a decade. But this visit, by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, comes at an interesting time for China. President Xi Jingping is contending with economic stumbles and looming sanctions, making his vision for the future more precarious than ever.

Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper Richard McGregor, on the rumours that are swirling about China’s leadership and what they reveal about Xi’s grip on power.