Vertebral

Solutions below:

1A: ||Backwards contained in Birmingh[AM OR A]tlanta = AROMA||

6A: || Misfiled = anagrind; (Taxes)* = TEXAS||

7A: ||One = I, Nine - energy = E + key = K = ININK||

8A: ||Dolce & Gabbana leaders = DG, inside Shelter = LEE -> LEDGE||

9A: ||Very cute = TWEE; Suit = diamonds = D -> TWEED||

1D: ||Head -> first letter; goes mad -> anagram; ATTILA -> TTILA* = ATILT||

2D: ||About = RE, Chinese premier = WEN (Jiabao); from the south -> NEW = RENEW||

3D: ||Poem = ODE, around Chinese Premier = XI (Jinping), = OXIDE||

4D: ||Stable = MANGER, incomplete = MANGE||

5D: || A = A; Broken = anagrind; DESK* = SKED -> ASKED||

Really liked 1A, 6A, 1D, 4D, and 5D. These are smooth, easy clues (in a good way).

I don't think 9A works; you're using [suit] to clue a different word, and you're then taking the abbreviation for that word. To me, that plays unfair. I also personally thought putting back-to-back Chinese premiers (different ones!) was tough, though the grammar was fine. Thanks for the puzzle!

5x5 Checked Cryptic 2

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