De Chinese Wouden, maandag 16 september: Xiangshan Forum, Duitsland, Handel
Fijne week.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Taiwan’s foreign ministry thanks Dutch lower house for support – Taipei Times: ‘for passing a resolution stating that UN Resolution 2758 does not involve Taiwan, making it the first parliamentary body in Europe to approve such a motion.’ 🇳🇱
荷蘭國會通過友台動議 林楚茵：提案議員10月訪台 – 自由時報 🇳🇱
De DPP-parlementariër die initiatiefnemer Paternotte (D66) trof bij het recente Taiwanese bezoek aan de Tweede Kamer deelt enthousiast dat hij in oktober naar Taiwan gaat.
Zo spannend was het op marinefregat Tromp toen een Chinese helikopter gevaarlijk dichtbij kwam – EenVandaag 🇳🇱
China’s PLA slams Germany for sailing ships through Taiwan Strait, citing ‘security risks’ – SCMP: ‘In a separate note, the Chinese embassy in Berlin said on Friday that the Taiwan Strait is categorised as China’s internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, and exclusive economic zone, with no “international waters” present.’ 🇩🇪
驻德国使馆发言人就德军舰过航台湾海峡答记者问 – 中华人民共和国驻德意志联邦共和国大使馆：“台湾海峡内水域从两岸向海方向依次为中国内水、领海、毗连区和专属经济区，根本不存在所谓‘国际水域’。” 🇩🇪
Letterlijk: „De wateren in de Straat van Taiwan zijn vanaf de beide kusten richting de zee successievelijk Chinese interne wateren, territoriale wateren, aansluitende zone en exclusieve economische zone. Zogenaamde ‘internationale wateren’ bestaan überhaupt niet.”
Peking heeft gelijk dat ‘internationale wateren’ geen concept zijn in het zeerechtverdrag. Maar het is wel de gebruikelijke lekenaanduiding voor de wateren die buiten de territoriale wateren vallen. De (voornamelijk economische) rechten die landen hebben in hun EEZ, zijn veel beperkter dan dat China ze interpreteert in de eigen EEZ.
Bovendien is het bespottelijke om te klagen over twee Duitse marineschepen die door de 160km-brede en drukke Straat van Taiwan varen, terwijl de Chinese marine geregeld samen met de Russische marine op patrouille door de veel nauwere straten tussen de Japanese eilanden vaart.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on September 13, 2024 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China: ‘We respect countries’ right to navigation in relevant waters in accordance with China’s laws and international law, including UNCLOS. But we firmly oppose any act of provocation under the pretext of freedom of navigation that harms China’s sovereignty and security.’ 🇩🇪
China reagiert milde auf Fahrt deutscher Marineschiffe durch Taiwanstraße – Der Spiegel 🇩🇪
Spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the EU Speaks on a Question Concerning the US-EU Dialogue on China – Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union: ‘I want to stress that whether to hold a dialogue is the US and the EU’s own business. Nonetheless, the dialogue should facilitate the steady development of their relations with China, rather than at the expense of China’s interests.’ 🇪🇺
‘The press release of #US-#EU dialogue on #China is a typical example of #coldwar mentality and bloc confrontation. The accusations against China are made in total disregard of the facts. On China relations, we hope #Europe has its own voice based on its own interests.’ – 王鲁彤 Wang Lutong, Twitter 🇪🇺
China uses LinkedIn to recruit academics for espionage, Czech intelligence warns – Euractiv 🇨🇿
Pope makes new overture to China, calling Beijing ‘a promise and hope’ for the church – AP: ‘during an in-flight press conference en route home from Singapore’ 🇻🇦
US official praises Lithuania’s stand against China and ties with Taiwan – Focus Taiwan 🇱🇹🇺🇸
Rusland 🇷🇺
Hoe China de Russische oorlogsmachine aan de gang houdt: „Betalen met crypto, goud of cash” – AD 🇷🇺
China’s Xi Jinping to visit Russia next month for the BRICS summit – AP: ‘Xi’s visit to Russia will be his second since the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022.’ 🇷🇺
‘Dragon-Bear’: How China and Russia’s spy operations overlap in Europe – POLITICO Europe: ‘“However, the reason behind this is not collaboration and coordination of intelligence services of these countries, but simply the fact that they are both antagonistic to the ‘collective West’ of today,” [Koudelka] said.’ 🇷🇺
Xinhua president meets TASS chief – Xinhua: ‘Xinhua is ready to work together with TASS to promote more voices with positive energy in the global media landscape, Fu said.’ 🇷🇺
Handel 🚗🇪🇺
The EU is aiming to hold a vote on introducing definitive tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China on September 25, sources say – Bloomberg 🇪🇺
Beijing won’t shift in EV tariff talks with EU, Chinese state media writes on social media – POLITICO Europe 🇪🇺
‘Disappointed by @EU_Commission’s rejection of price offers from #Chinese #EV producers. The rejection without thorough evaluation undermines the Chinese industry’s confidence in continuing cooperation and shows a lack of sincerity in addressing dispute through dialogue.’ – 王鲁彤 Wang Lutong, Twitter 🇪🇺
China’s carrot-and-stick with EU trading partners start to pay off – Reuters: ‘According to a Spanish government source, Sanchez’s delegation came away feeling “Spain is more important now”, and that an agreement over tariffs on its pork products was close.’ 🇪🇸
De Chinese diplomatie is er altijd goed in om landen en personen zich belangrijk te laten voelen.
China’s low-priced EVs reign in Spain, make gains in Europe’s lanes – SCMP 🇪🇸🇪🇺
German companies in China seek faster visas for Chinese staff to travel to Germany – Reuters 🇩🇪
Opinie: Kritiek op economie China verdoezelt eigen onvermogen om te hervormen – Jonathan Holslag in NRC: „Het grootste gevaar dat ik nu voor mij zie verschijnen is dat die onsamenhangende protectionistische patserigheid van ons niet meer dan een voortzetting is van dezelfde zelfgenoegzaamheid die de voorbije decennia van opendeurpolitiek karakteriseerden.”
„In het beste geval geven tariefmuren ons enige ademruimte. De grote vraag blijft evenwel wat wij achter die tariefmuren gaan doen.” 🇪🇺
Opinion: Germany should listen to Draghi – Daniela Schwarzer in FT: ‘Gone are the days when Germans could consider bad economic news from Europe as other people’s problems.’ 🇩🇪🇪🇺
Mario Draghi has a plan for Europe to avoid ‘slow agony’. Can it work? – SCMP 🇪🇺
China to open anti-dumping probe on halogenated butyl rubber imports from Canada, Japan, and India – Reuters 🇨🇦🇯🇵🇮🇳
The office of the US Trade Representative formally approved tariff increases on billions of dollars in Chinese goods, paving the way for them to go into effect in two weeks – Bloomberg 🇺🇸
Some Chinese EVs still cheaper than Teslas in US after huge tariff hike – Nikkei Asia 🇺🇸
Biden targets China’s Temu and Shein with low-value import duty exemption changes – SCMP 🇺🇸
Tech War 💽🇺🇸
China sets some global standards for 6G tech as it looks towards next-gen communications – SCMP
More chip hubs needed to bolster global supply chain resilience, SEMI CEO says – Nikkei Asia
South Korean military takes down over 1,300 Chinese-made surveillance cameras at units – Yonhap 🇰🇷
Taiwan-Czechia chip design centre to unveil plaque – Taipei Times: ‘Taiwan is working with countries such as Slovakia, Lithuania and the Czech Republic to bolster supply chain resilience and semiconductor technology’ 🇨🇿🇸🇰🇱🇹
Xiangshan Forum
China’s defence minister Dǒng Jūn 董军 calls for military cooperation pacts at Xiangshan Forum – Nikkei Asia: ‘called for an orderly “multipolar” world and said major powers bear a heavy responsibility amid growing geopolitical tensions.’
China committed to ‘peacemaker’ role, including on Ukraine, Xiangshan defence forum hears – SCMP: ‘Chen said: “On the Ukraine crisis [sic], we will continue in-depth communication with all parties concerned to build consensus for ending the conflict and pave the way for peace talks.”’ 🇺🇦
US and China need semi-official line of contact to ease ties, Beijing defence forum hears – SCMP 🇺🇸
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
US and Italian ships drill in South China Sea with Australian aircraft – Stars and Stripes 🇮🇹🇺🇸🇦🇺
Lobito Corridor plan illustrates stark poverty of American imagination in Africa – The Pan African Review 🇺🇸
China wants academic exchange but historians say increased censorship makes research hard – Reuters
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
Staatsolie Suriname sluit contracten met PetroChina 中国石油 – Suriname Herald 🇸🇷
China’s new Vietnam envoy calls for ‘patience’ in dealing with differences – SCMP 🇻🇳
Philippines withdraws coast guard flagship from Sabina/Escoda Shoal, AIS shows – USNI News 🇵🇭
Philippines sends replacement ship to Sabina/Escoda Shoal, vows continued presence – Reuters 🇵🇭
Chinese propaganda boss on secret mission – The Australian: ‘The Australian can reveal a top official from the Chinese Communist Party’s central propaganda department has held high-level meetings in Australia.’ 🇦🇺
China throws fresh support line to crisis-threatened Maldives – Reuters 🇲🇻
China and US hold defence policy coordination talks in Beijing – Xinhua: ‘the 18th China-U.S. Defense Policy Coordination Talks’ 🇺🇸
China frees American pastor who US claims was wrongly jailed, State Dept says – Reuters 🇺🇸
China’s investment in Africa is getting a shake-up as the next belt and road phase beckons – SCMP: ‘As revealed at the recent FOCAC summit, Beijing will shift its African focus towards agriculture, green energy and critical minerals’
China has reportedly tested a next-generation carrier-based fighter jet – SCMP
China’s GJ-11 stealth drone sightings hint at future role as fighter jet ‘wingmen’ – SCMP
Opinion: Adopted from China as a toddler, I’ve spent my life searching for home – Cindy Zhu Huijgen in The New York Times
China economie
China’s finance chiefs are testing new ways to boost the economy by encouraging demand, breaking with long-established practice – Bloomberg: ‘The trouble is, this embrace of a more expansionary policy in China’s capital is effectively getting canceled out in the provinces — where authorities are in full belt-tightening mode.’
How China’s communists fell in love with privatisation: Even though they are not very good at it – The Economist: ‘under strain, forcing officials to come up with new sources of revenue. This meant hawking even large bits of regional infrastructure.’
China industrial output grows at slowest pace in five months – Nikkei Asia
Downbeat China factory output and retail sales add to urgency for stronger stimulus – Reuters
China’s home prices fell at a slightly faster pace in August, underscoring the waning effect of the latest housing rescue plan – Bloomberg
China’s homeowners are rushing to pay off mortgages early as outlook on the economy dims – SCMP
China’s August new lending rises less than expected, more policy steps expected – Reuters
PwC fined CN¥441mn [€56mn] and banned for six months in China – FT
More Chinese women graduate but jobs and equal pay still elude them – FT
China binnenland
Ook Chinezen moeten straks langer doorwerken, pensioenleeftijd met drie jaar omhoog – NRC
China is poised to amend its anti-corruption law for the first time – SCMP: ‘allowing bail for corruption suspects during investigations but also extending the detention period during which suspects are denied access to a lawyer.’
Deputy commander of China’s army Deng Zhiping among 5 stripped of lawmaker status amid corruption probe – SCMP: ‘was known as a war hero during China’s border clashes with [i.e. attacks on] Vietnam in the 1970s and 1980s’
Two ex-senior officials accused of holding on to classified materials – Caixin Global
Xi’s speech at key CCP plenum to be published – Xinhua
习近平：在党的二十届三中全会第二次全体会议上的讲话 – 《求是》2024/18
China’s Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 puts culture and ecology front and centre in visit to historic Gansu – SCMP: ‘The Yellow River is often described as the “mother river” in China, a reference to its place in early Chinese civilisation.’
Xinhua Headlines: Xi urges breaking new ground in Yellow River basin ecological conservation, high-quality development – Xinhua
China’s foreign joint venture universities feel chill as political controls tighten – SCMP
Hong Kong
Hong Kong hosts flurry of forums, cozying up to non-Western partners – Nikkei Asia
Hongkongers show solidarity with Palestine amid Israel-Hamas war, but keep efforts low-key – HKFP
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
Pentagon to make improvements after mouldy body armour sent to Taiwan – Focus Taiwan: ‘after the Office of Inspector General (OIG) revealed in its report this week that the DOD had provided shipments of unserviceable and poorly packaged equipment and munitions to Taiwan from November 2023 through March this year.’ 🇺🇸
Chinese man crossing into Taiwan waters to face judicial investigation – Focus Taiwan: ‘attempted to enter Taiwan and was found on a rubber dinghy in waters near the northern city of New Taipei on Saturday’ 🇨🇳
Former Canadian security and defence officials headed to meet Taiwan government – The Globe and Mail 🇨🇦
Military source confirms Taiwanese marines back on Pratas/Dongsha Island – Taipei Times: ‘augmenting its defenses in response to increased Chinese military action in the South China Sea’
Taiwan hopes delayed F-16Vs start arriving by end of this year – Reuters 🇺🇸
Taiwanese defence officials to go to US to ensure Stinger missiles delivery – Taipei Times 🇺🇸
Military to invest NT$1.48bn [€42mn] in armoured personnel vehicle upgrades – Taipei Times: ‘after numerous reports of issues in the mainstay of the nation’s ground troops.’
Taiwan schandaal
Taiwan’s opposition parties target judiciary in bruising political battle: Top judges accused of being DPP ‘thugs’; lawyers fear for faith in rule of lawle – Nikkei Asia: ‘The denunciations have intensified as Ko Wen-je, leader of the TPP, has been ensnared in an investigation into alleged corruption.’
‘All this comes as the Constitutional Court faces a pivotal decision on legislation that would dramatically expand the powers of parliament, where the KMT and TPP together hold a narrow majority.’
Ko Wen-je 柯文哲 and the TPP’s troubles continue – New Bloom: ‘A Ko supporter was also arrested for threatening to kill the responsible judges and prosecutors for the arrest.’
Most Taiwanese believe probe into Ko Wen-je 柯文哲 (TPP) not politically motivated, according to TPOF poll – Taipei Times: ‘54.6 percent of respondents did not consider Ko’s detention to be political persecution, while 28.6 percent said it was.’
Ex-Taipei official Huang Ching-mao 黃景茂 released on NT$5m [€141k] bail in Core Pacific City case – Focus Taiwan
Taiwan binnenland en economie
Taiwan’s economic affairs ministry unveils plan to train 25,000 international professionals annually – Focus Taiwan
KMT lawmaker laments ‘rising tide of cannabis’ – Taipei Times