De Chinese Wouden, dinsdag 10 juni: zeldzame aardmetalen het begin, Chinese spionage in Rusland
De industriële paniek over tekorten aan zeldzame aardmetalen uit China neemt toe. Er waren al jaren van waarschuwingen en rapporten over afhankelijkheden en risico’s. Nu hebben de Europese politieke leiders nu te maken met een praktijkvoorbeeld. Dit is een Chinese zet waar niet zomaar omheen gegaan kan worden in een paar maanden. De angst is, dat dit nog maar het begin is, nu Peking doorheeft hoe effectief alleen al dit middel is. Zijn Europese toezeggingen onvermijdelijk om de autoindustrie straks draaiende te houden?
Staatspersbureau Xinhua publiceerde een belangwekkend commentaar over de maatregelen. Het is vanwege de verantwoordelijkheid van China op het gebied van non-proliferatie en dual-use goods dat Peking de uitvoer van zeldzame aardmetalen en magneten móet controleren. Daarna is het onderdeel van ‘noodzakelijke industriële hervormingen’ in het licht van lage prijzen en milieuschade die veroorzaakt werden door het gebrek aan regelgeving. Het zou meer ‘constructief‘ zijn voor het Westen, als het zich richt op het begrijpen van en aanpassen aan de Chinese maatregelen i.p.v. valse beschuldigingen.
Amerikaanse bedrijven zouden al enkele vergunningen hebben gekregen, Europa heeft een belofte van mogelijke groene kanalen. Maar dit gaat niet zomaar weg. Meer wapens zijn daarnaast ook nog beschikbaar. De Chineestalige commentaren schreven aan het begin van Trumps wereldhandelsoorlog niet voor niks over ‘strijd’. China plukt de vruchten van de jarenlange de-risking terwijl Europa daar nog maar net serieus mee bezig is.
Deze eenzijdige afhankelijkheid versterken is bewust Chinees beleid. Xi Jinpings economische plannen, onder de noemer ‘nieuw ontwikkelingspatroon’, spreken van een dubbele circulatie: een grootschalige binnenlandse circulatie die autonoom van buitenlandse druk opereert; en een supplementaire internationale circulatie waarin China een essentiële schakel is en Peking rest van de wereld aan zich bindt door kritieke Chinese posities in de leveringsketen (Xi Jinping in Qiushi: „we must tighten international production chains’ dependence on China, forming a powerful countermeasure and deterrent capability against foreigners who would artificially cut off supply”.)
Die posities zijn op enkele punten al bereikt. De problemen zijn niet zomaar op te lossen: we kunnen niet in enkele maanden mijnen aanleggen en verwerkingsfabrieken opstarten. Ook Northvolt mislukte als concurrent voor CATL. Welke landmijnen liggen nog meer verstopt diep in de leveringsketens Europese industrie? Zal Brussel op enkele onderwerpen gedwongen worden tot een uitwisseling met Peking?
De economische cijfers over mei zullen Brussel ook niet vrolijk stemmen. Deflatie in China neemt toe. Chinese export blijft stijgen terwijl import blijft dalen. ‘Trade diversion’ zal een zorg blijven voor de EU: Chinese export naar de VS ging omlaag met 35%, tegenover een stijging van 12% voor de EU als geheel (NL: 7%).
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Schriftelijke vragen: Het artikel ‘Brussel wil belasting van €2 op goedkope pakketjes uit China’ – Robert Rep (PVV), Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal: „Hoe beoordeelt de staatssecretaris het voornemen voor een nieuwe Europese belasting in relatie tot de doorwerking in de consumentenprijzen?” 🇳🇱
Schriftelijke vragen: Het artikel ’Onderzoek naar frauduleuze invoer e-bikes uit China’ – Robert Rep (PVV), Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal 🇳🇱
Von der Leyen (EPP) responds to MEPs on Huawei 华为 lobbying loopholes – Euractiv: ‘As Euractiv previously reported, Huawei has continued lobbying on EU energy files despite growing pressure to blacklist its representatives.’ 🇪🇺
EU pushes for ‘independence’ from China and US – but can it get there? – SCMP: ‘the European Union has held out an olive branch to Beijing, seeking concessions on economic matters in exchange for better political ties. The consensus now in Brussels is that China has chosen not to grab it.’
‘There is a growing fear among rank-and-file EU officials that its leaders’ refusal to hit back against the two superpowers – but mostly China – is a sign of weakness.’ 🇪🇺
Europe is not essential for Xi Jinping at China’s epochal moment with the US. That offers opportunities too – Sense Hofstede 🇪🇺
Fracturing transatlantic convergence, one capital at a time – Matthew Johnson for Jamestown’s China Brief: ‘Beijing is seeking to shape outcomes in Europe by avoiding direct confrontation with the European Union (EU) and instead driving wedges between member states through a calibrated campaign of bilateral diplomacy.’ 🇪🇺
Editorial: An ‘independent Europe’ should establish an objective and rational understanding of China – The Global Times: ‘With so much negative hype coming one after another, one cannot help but wonder: Is there a force deliberately trying to prevent China and Europe from getting closer? Or there is another possibility that the European side itself is always conflicted […]. If it is the former, the impact of these trends on China-EU relations is likely to be partial and phased’ 🇪🇺
China to enhance strategic communication and coordination with France, VP Hán Zhèng 韩正 says – Xinhua: ‘while meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice, France.’
‘China supports France in upholding strategic autonomy.’ 🇫🇷
Chinese and French foreign ministers hold phone talks on bilateral and international affairs – Xinhua: ‘Both sides should make preparations for the exchanges at all levels in the next stage’
‘Wang expressed China’s hope that France will uphold the right position and oppose NATO’s interference in Asia-Pacific affairs’ 🇫🇷
Chine – Entretien de M. Jean-Noël Barrot avec son homologue, M. Wang Yi (6 juin 2025) – France Diplomatie : « Les deux Ministres ont longuement échangé au sujet de la guerre d’agression russe contre l’Ukraine. » 🇫🇷
China-Bulgaria forum focuses on climate action and rural revitalisation – Xinhua 🇧🇬
Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 congratulates Karol Nawrocki on election as Polish president – Xinhua 🇵🇱
Chinese vice premier Hé Lìfēng 何立峰 meets British chancellor of exchequer on economic and financial cooperation – Xinhua 🇬🇧
Misschien moet de EU ook maar eens een ronde VS-China hosten als het He wil spreken…
Chinese defence ministry rebukes Britain for hyping up ‘China threat’ in report – Xinhua 🇬🇧
China collaborating with Russia, Iran, and North Korea, National Security Council secretary-general Joseph Wu 吳釗燮 (DPP) says – Taipei Times: ‘told a forum in Berlin on Wednesday during a low-profile visit to Europe’ ‘at the eighth Taiwan Trilateral Forum, hosted by the German Marshall Fund of the US.’ 🇩🇪
French National Assembly delegation visits Taiwan – Focus Taiwan 🇫🇷
Rusland 🇷🇺
Poetin kan zich geen ruzie met Xi veroorloven, maar in [sommige] geheime documenten heet China wel ‘vijand’ – AD 🇷🇺
Russia’s spy hunters are suspicious as Putin moves closer to China – The New York Times: ‘This [FSB] unit, which has not previously been disclosed, has warned that China is a serious threat to Russian security.’
‘Its officers say that Beijing is increasingly trying to recruit Russian spies and get its hands on sensitive military technology’
‘The intelligence officers say that China is spying on the Russian military’s operations in Ukraine to learn about Western weapons and warfare.’
‘warned that Chinese intelligence agents are carrying out espionage in the Arctic’
‘The fact that Mr. Putin is apparently well aware of the risks of a closer relationship with China and has decided to push ahead anyway could suggest little opportunity for the United States to get Russia to change course.’
‘is trying to feed Beijing’s spies with positive information about Russian operations.’ 🇷🇺
Russian intelligence says it collects WeChat data. What does that mean? – The New York Times: ‘the Chinese government […] relies on its weak security to monitor and censor speech.’ 🇷🇺
Snopkov shares tidbits of non-public part of meeting between Lukashenko and Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 – Belta: ‘the Chinese leader had said […]: “My friend, you and I have a special relationship, so today we will have a family dinner. And for the first time in history, my daughter will be present at a dinner with a foreign leader.”’ 🇧🇾
Wereldhandelsoorlog 📉💥
EU won’t pivot to China even if US trade talks fail, says Poland’s trade minister – Euractiv: ‘told Euractiv that the EU’s relationship with Beijing is “independent” of the bloc’s links to Washington’ 🇵🇱🇪🇺
MOFCOM Spokesperson’s Remarks on Minister Wang Wentao's Talks with EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič during His Visit to France (2/4) – 中华人民共和国商务部MOFCOM: ‘Negotiations on BEV price undertakings between China and the EU have entered the final stage, but further efforts from both sides are still needed.’ 🇪🇺
China’s commerce ministry says it is working with France on trade differences, no sign yet of a cognac deal – Reuters 🇫🇷
Japan and EU eye launch of ‘competitive alliance’ scheme to boost trade – Kyodo News: ‘Under the framework, Japan and the EU will work together to diversify supply chains for rare earth minerals’ ‘align subsidy conditions for environmental technology’ ‘promote reform of the World Trade Organization’ 🇪🇺🇯🇵
aardmetalen en magneten
Groeiende paniek onder westerse bedrijven nu China de export van zeldzame aardmetalen afknijpt – de Volkskrant: „En dan te bedenken dat Beijing nog lang niet zijn hele arsenaal in stelling heeft gebracht.”
China arms itself for more export control battles – FT: ‘The danger for the US and the EU — both are locked in trade wars with China — is that the leverage that Beijing has discovered with rare earth export controls can also be replicated in other areas of the high-tech supply chain, analysts said.’
De Chineestalige commentaren schreven aan het begin van Trumps wereldhandelsoorlog niet voor niks over ‘strijd’.
China’s commerce ministry says it may speed up rare earths application approvals from EU – Reuters: ‘Price commitment consultations between China and the EU on Chinese-made electric vehicles exported to the EU have also entered a final stage but efforts from both sides are still needed, according to a statement on the Chinese commerce ministry's website.’ 🇪🇺
‘[…] China attaches great importance to the concerns of the EU side, and is willing to establish a green channel for eligible applications and expedite the approval process. […]. Wang expressed hope that the EU side will work in the same direction with China and take effective measures to facilitate, guarantee and promote the compliant trade of high-tech products with China.’ 中华人民共和国商务部MOFCOM, Twitter 🇪🇺
Dat tweede deel is een waarschuwing/drukmiddel.
China approves some rare earth export applications, commerce ministry says – Xinhua: ‘Rare earth-related items have dual-use attributes for both military and civilian purposes […] imposing export controls on such items is in line with international practice. […] the controls aim to better safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international obligations of non-proliferation, which reflects China’s commitment to world peace and regional stability.’
Xinhua Commentary: China’s rare earth regulations responsible step toward sustainable global supply and security – Xinhua: ‘Preventing such strategic resources from being used to undermine international peace and security is a shared non-proliferation obligation for all nations.’
‘What is more, China’s new rare earth regulations reflect necessary industrial reforms. In the past, extensive and unregulated development led to the undervaluation of resources and severe ecological damage.’
‘viewing these measures as mere short-term bargaining tools underestimates the strategic depth of China's policy decisions.’
‘Rather than succumbing to anxiety over “decoupling” or misconceptions of rare earths as a “strategic weapon,” it would be more constructive for the West to focus on understanding and adapting to China’s new measures.’
Ik merk op dat Peking regelmatig zegt dat wapenleveranties aan Oekraïne schadelijk en vrede verder weg brengen.
Auto companies ‘in full panic’ over rare-earths bottleneck – Reuters: ‘Several European auto-supplier plants have already shut down, with more outages coming, said the region's auto supplier association, CLEPA.’ 🇪🇺
China’s commerce ministry issues rare earth licenses to suppliers of top three US automakers, sources say – Reuters: ‘At least some of the licenses are valid for six months, the two sources said’ 🇺🇸
Trump says China’s Xi agreed to let rare earth minerals flow to US – Reuters 🇺🇸
Let op het verschil in behandeling van de VS en de EU.
Indian automakers are facing conditions tougher than others in importing rare earth magnets from China, risking a crippling shortage that may disrupt production within weeks – Bloomberg: ‘Beijing has turned down at least two applications for India-bound shipments’ 🇮🇳
Militaire en economische rivaal India heeft het nog moeilijker dan Europa.
China’s rare earth weapon changes contours of trade war battlefield – Reuters: ‘China has signalled for more than 15 years that it was looking to weaponise areas of the global supply chain, a strategy modelled on longstanding American export controls Beijing views as aimed at stalling its rise.’
‘Industry executives and analysts say while China is showing signs of approving more exports of the key elements, it will not dismantle its new system.’
China’s chokehold on this obscure mineral threatens the West’s militaries – The New York Times: ‘will struggle to refill recently depleted inventories of military hardware.’
Rare-earth prices hover near record highs amid China export curbs – Nikkei Asia
China’s rare earth exports jump 23% in May despite export curbs – Reuters: ‘The curbs do not cover all the many types of rare earth products that China exports. Monday’s data does not distinguish among them’
VS-China 🇨🇳
Dramatische afname van Chinese export naar de VS zet druk op handelsgesprekken in Londen – de Volkskrant 🇺🇸
Trade talks between the US and China will continue into a second day, according to a US official, as the two sides look to ease tensions over shipments of technology and rare earth elements – Bloomberg: ‘Specifically, the Trump administration is prepared to remove a recent spate of measures’ 🇺🇸
Donald Trump eyes chip export deal for rare earths in China talks – FT: ‘A top White House official has said US President Donald Trump would ease restrictions on selling chips to China if Beijing agreed to speed up the export of rare earths’ 🇺🇸
First meeting of China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism opens in London – Xinhua 🇺🇸
对话和合作是中美唯一正确的选择（钟声） – 《人民日报》（2025年06月07日 第03版） 🇺🇸
In het Volksdagblad noemt ‘Zhong Sheng’ weer dat China zich aan de afspraken van Genève had gehouden en dat de VS de boel verstoorde met enkele maatregelen. Ook herhaalt het weer Taiwan. Een eerder commentaar deed dat ook al: probeert Peking concessies op Taiwan-gebied in te brengen in de handelsgesprekken?
Exclusive: US suspends licenses to ship nuclear plant parts to China, sources say – Reuters: ‘“In some cases, Commerce has suspended existing export licenses or imposed additional license requirements while the review is pending,” the spokesperson said in a statement.’ 🇺🇸
Boeing plane lands back in China for delivery as tariff war eases – Reuters 🇺🇸
Xinhua Commentary: Recalibrating direction of giant ship of China-US relations – Xinhua: ‘after the Geneva meeting, certain U.S. officials have deviated from the correct path in their words and actions.’
‘the true test lies in whether the U.S. side can honor the agreement’
‘The China-U.S. economic and trade relationship is an inevitable outcome of the optimal allocation of resources in the era of globalization and is, in essence, mutually beneficial.’
‘preserving the political foundation of China-U.S. relations is fundamental to ensuring this vessel stays on course […]. The United States must handle the Taiwan question with prudence’ 🇺🇸
Feature: Iowa farmers see ‘person-to-person diplomacy’ as key to US-China trade ties – Xinhua: ‘“China has been a great partner,” he said’ 🇺🇸
Techoorlog 💽💥
European Commission reignites push to exclude Huawei 华为 from subsea cable networks – Euractiv: ‘The existing prohibition on deploying Huawei equipment in EU 4G/5G networks “could be extended to submarine cables”, reads the Commission’s International Digital Strategy’ 🇪🇺
Chinese EV battery maker AESC switches on gigafactory in France’s Douai – Caixin Global: ‘It has already started supplying batteries to Renault, a key client.’ 🇫🇷
China’s Geely 吉利 to stop building new car plants amid severe global overcapacity, chairman Lǐ Shūfú 李书福 says – SCMP: ‘His comments came as carmakers were mired in a brutal price war on the mainland.’
Europa wil lithium uit Servië, ondanks verzet – NRC 🇪🇺🇷🇸
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called for stepped up enforcement of US export controls to prevent China from stealing critical American technologies in areas like artificial intelligence and aviation – Bloomberg: ‘Lutnick argued for more funding for the department’s Bureau of Industry and Security’ 🇺🇸
Nvidia’s biggest Chinese rival Huawei 华为 struggles to win at home – The Information
President Trump is expected to sign an executive order staving off enforcement of a law banning or forcing the sale of ByteDance 字节跳动’s TikTok – WSJ 🇺🇸
ByteDance 字节跳动 has been replacing TikTok’s US-hired staff near Seattle with leaders connected to China after sales fell short in America – Bloomberg 🇺🇸
Frequent TikTok users in Taiwan more likely to agree with pro-China narratives, DoubleThink Lab study finds – The Guardian 🇹🇼
ByteDance 字節跳動’s TikTok to increase investment in Britain – AFP 🇬🇧
Donald Trump moves to block foreign drone makers from selling new models in US – SCMP: ‘The orders also call for federal investment in US drone production to rebuild a domestic sector that has been eclipsed by Chinese competition.’
Chinese premier Lǐ Qiáng 李强 urges efforts to improve transformation of sci-tech achievements at State Council study session – Xinhua: ‘He underscored that greater emphasis should be placed on the real value of sci-tech achievements in serving economic and social development.’
Valorisatie! Of, relevanter: Jeffrey Ding in zijn Technology and the Rise of Great Powers over het grotere belang van diffusion i.p.v. innovation.
Chinese regulators seek to slow rollout of self-driving features in cars – FT
Taiwan’s Pegatron 和碩 is in final stage of evaluating US factory plan – Reuters 🇺🇸
Pegatron 和碩 AI server production in Mexico set to start in Q3 – Focus Taiwan 🇲🇽
Taiwanese cabinet to announce major AI scheme – Taipei Times
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
Shares of Chinese defence companies rallied Monday, after Pakistan said it intends to buy one of the Asian power’s most-advanced fighter jets as a part of major arms purchase – Bloomberg 🇵🇰
Pakistan to start inducting China-built Shenyang FC-31 fighters – Janes 🇵🇰
Brazil plans panda bond as Lula looks to bolster ties with China – FT: ‘hoping to sell its first sovereign debt in the Chinese market as soon as this year’ 🇧🇷
Japan flexes its military muscle at China, and Trump – The New York Times: ‘missiles are part of a defense buildup that is central to Japan’s strategy for appealing to President Trump.’ 🇯🇵
Chinese aircraft carrier group enters waters near Japan’s easternmost island for first time – The Guardian: ‘The Liaoning carrier, accompanied by two missile destroyers and a supply ship, entered Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Saturday evening’ ‘Pacific waters about 300km south-west of Minamitori island’ 🇯🇵
South Korea’s new president agrees to strengthen ties with Tokyo – Nikkei Asia 🇰🇷🇯🇵
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
White House warns UK not to allow Chinese embassy near City of London – The Times: ‘because of its proximity to a sensitive hub of critical communication cables’ 🇬🇧🇺🇸
President Donald Trump is holding back from pushing China to halt support for Russia’s war machine as he focuses on other issues in the relationship with its biggest geopolitical rival – Bloomberg: ‘as it pushes the conflict in Ukraine further down the list of American foreign policy priorities’ 🇺🇸
US military’s logistics drill aims to burnish East Asia crisis response – Reuters 🇺🇸
Member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference got VIP treatment at Trump crypto dinner – The New York Times: ‘at a time when the administration is seeking to scrutinize and revoke the visas of Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party, the incident illustrates inconsistencies in the Trump administration’s approach to how it handles Chinese nationals’ 🇺🇸
Chinese propaganda surges as the US defunds Radio Free Asia – The Washington Post: ‘have allowed China to fill a programming void and expand the reach of its talking points’
‘Beijing has added 26 new Tibetan language frequencies and 16 new Uyghur language frequencies since the end of March, the same period when RFA began pulling back.’ 🇺🇸
US arrests another Chinese scientist with no permit to send biological material – SCMP 🇺🇸
China’s consulate urges nationals in Los Angeles to be ‘highly vigilant’ amid violent ICE protests – SCMP 🇺🇸
China Coast Guard fleet patrols around Senkaku/Diaoyutai Islands – Xinhua 🇯🇵🇹🇼
Chinese military to participate in peacekeeping exercise in Mongolia – Xinhua 🇲🇳
Chinese envoy calls on Syrian interim authorities to prevent terrorists from getting chemical weapons – Xinhua: ‘The Syrian interim authorities must take all necessary measures to combat all terrorist organizations and individuals listed by the Security Council, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement’ 🇸🇾
China at the centre of Egypt’s new capital which will house 6 million people – SCMP: ‘Chinese state-owned construction giant, China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), is not only the primary contractor for the central business district of the new city but will now operate and maintain it in a deal between China and Egypt.’ 🇪🇬
Honderden mensen in flats gedwongen tot oplichting via internet – in dit Filippijnse stadje wist de burgemeester ervan – NRC: „mogelijk is er meer aan de hand dan verwevenheid tussen Chinese criminelen en lokale politiek.” 🇵🇭
Chinese ship runs aground off Philippines-occupied island in the disputed South China Sea – AP 🇵🇭
China-Malaysia crackdown on alleged Ponzi scheme rattles Penang’s corporate and political circles – CNA 🇲🇾
China committed to building South China Sea into sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation, according to Xinhua Institute report – Xinhua: ‘The report called on China and ASEAN countries to ensure that the solutions of the South China Sea issues remain in their own hands’
CCP delegation visits Brazil – Xinhua 🇧🇷
Chinese VP Hán Zhèng 韩正 says China ready to work with UN to practice genuine multilateralism – Xinhua: ‘China appreciates the United Nations’ unwavering and firm adherence to the one-China principle and hopes related UN bodies will remain vigilant against attempts made by certain forces to deliberately distort and challenge the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758, Han said.’ 🇺🇳🇹🇼
Chinese VP Hán Zhèng 韩正 lays out proposals on sustainable ocean governance at UN conference – Xinhua 🇺🇳
China demonstrates coast guard capability to Pacific nations, step towards high seas patrols – Reuters: ‘The fisheries officials said it was anticipated China will soon begin patrols in a “crowded” fisheries surveillance space.’
China’s sixth-gen fighters: fresh photos hint at cruising capacity and drone control – SCMP
China economie
China’s factory-gate deflation worst in 22 months as economic headwinds mount – Reuters: ‘The producer price index fell 3.3% in May from a year earlier, worse than a 2.7% decline in April and the deepest contraction in 22 months, National Bureau of Statistics data showed on Monday.’
‘The consumer price index dipped 0.1% last month from a year earlier, after falling by the same amount in April’
China’s consumer inflation and PPI down in May – Xinhua: ‘Falling energy prices, […], were the main drag on the country’s CPI, NBS statistician Dong Lijuan said.’
Starbucks cuts China prices in fresh sign of deflationary pressure – Nikkei Asia
China’s May exports slow and deflation deepens as tariffs bite – Reuters: ‘customs data showed that China's exports to the U.S. plunged 34.5% year-on-year in May in value terms, the sharpest drop since February 2020, when the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic upended global trade.’
China’s foreign trade up 2.5 per cent in first five months – Xinhua: ‘Last month, goods exports rose 6.3 percent year on year, while imports went down 2.1 percent, according to the data.’
Export blijft stijgen terwijl import blijft dalen. De zorgen van andere landen over het Chinese economische model nemen zo alleen maar toe.
China’s central government issues guidelines on further improving people’s well-being – Xinhua: ‘The guidelines stressed the need to provide social insurance subsidies to eligible university graduates and individuals facing employment difficulties.’
Chinese market always be a magnet for foreign investment, foreign ministry spokesperson says – Xinhua
Hong Kong offers Beijing legal route to sell seized crypto – Caixin Global
China binnenland
China’s Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 meets [Beijing-picked fake] Panchen Lama, urges continued ‘sinicisation of religion’ – SCMP: ‘exactly one month before the exiled Dalai Lama’s critical 90th birthday, when the Tibetan spiritual leader has indicated he may reveal his preferred method for choosing a successor.’
‘According to tradition, the next Dalai Lama must be recognised by the current Panchen Lama.
It is usual practice for the Panchen Lama to meet the Chinese president once every 10 years, as he did in 2015 and 2005.’
Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 receives visit from Panchen Rinpoche – Xinhua: ‘Xi called on Panchen Rinpoche to […] play an even better role in forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, systemically promoting the principle that religions in China must be Chinese in orientation’
中國觀察︱《人民日報》兩高層「消失」 來源網址 : 中國觀察人民日報兩高層消失 – 星島頭條：「最近，《人民日報》官網「領導介紹」欄目顯示，少了兩名高層，《人民日報》副社長胡果以及《人民日報》編委委員、秘書長余繼軍。」
Er zou wat aan de hand zijn met het hogere personeel van het Volksdagblad: twee namen zijn verdwenen van de website.
Senior Chinese legislator Lǐ Hóngzhōng 李鸿忠 urges high-quality development of border areas with large ethnic minority populations – Xinhua: ‘He emphasized the importance of promoting further ethnic unity and progress’
China’s officials scramble to comply with Xi’s austerity rules as inspectors come knocking – SCMP: ‘Beijing has sent out eight “central guidance groups” since the start of May to drive home the message.’
ByteDance 字节跳动’s China head of content quality Lǐ Tóng 李彤 leaves amid stricter censorship requirements – SCMP: ‘Li also served as deputy editor-in-chief of Toutiao’
Chinese public security minister Wáng Xiǎohóng 王小洪 urges consistency in fight against organised crime – Xinhua: ‘Wang called for more precise and forceful strikes against crime, for a “zero tolerance” stance, and for speed, accuracy and intensity to be prioritized to ensure there is no room for criminal elements.’
Former senior Chinese legislator Ragdi dies at 87 – Xinhua
Hong Kong
Jailed Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 charged with conspiring to collude with foreign forces – HKFP
Hong Kong eateries and entertainment premises could lose licence over conduct ‘contrary’ to national security – HKFP: ‘“Related persons” include directors, management, employees, agents, and subcontractors, the letter read.’
Safeguarding national security should become Hong Kong’s ‘culture,’ leader John Lee 李家超 says – HKFP
10,000 workers expected in Hong Kong under new imported labour channel – SCMP
Xinhua Commentary: Hong Kong’s new vitality a rebuttal to naysayers – Xinhua
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
Taiwan man with PRC permanent residence certificate at Fujian university first to lose citizenship – Focus Taiwan 🇨🇳
Taiwan’s defence ministry accuses China of carrying out ‘provocative’ military patrol near island – Reuters: ‘an unusual public rebuke in what are typically routine accounts of Chinese military activity.’ 🇨🇳
MAC slams China’s ‘manipulation’ of sports – Taipei Times 🇨🇳
Taiwan Communist Party leaders found not guilty in China infiltration case – Focus Taiwan: ‘during the 2022 election campaign events, Cheng had not yet been officially announced as a candidate’ 🇨🇳
China’s defence ministry warns DPP authorities that US weapons cannot save Taiwan – Xinhua
Senior Taiwan official visits site of new Alaska LNG project pushed by Trump – Reuters: ‘Pan Men-an, secretary-general to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, said he had attended an energy conference in Alaska at the invitation of U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright’ 🇺🇸
Taiwan stays on US currency manipulation monitoring list – Focus Taiwan 🇺🇸
Taiwan inks education deal for Caribbean allies – Taipei Times
President Lai urges support for coast guard funding as he takes in joint CGA, Navy drills – Focus Taiwan
Last of Taiwanese military’s F-5E/Fs to be retired this month – Taipei Times
Taiwan binnenland en economie
KMT recall efforts collapse – Nathan Batto’s Frozen Garlic: ‘This was a failure of the KMT to inspire and mobilize volunteers.’
Taiwan election body to decide June 20 on KMT lawmaker recall votes – Focus Taiwan
20 detained of 195 defendants in KMT-linked recall forgery cases against DPP – Taipei Times: ‘prosecutors have searched 16 KMT regional chapters’
Donovan’s Deep Dives: Eric Chu’s stark between-the-lines warning ahead of the KMT chair race – Courtney Donovan Smith for Taipei Times: ‘Chu’s comments sharply altered the tone within the KMT about the chair election. Figures within the party abruptly began calling for ending divisive internal debates’
Taiwanese parties’ reactions split over Chinese attacks on DPP legislator Puma Shen 沈伯洋 – Taipei Times: ‘The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus yesterday said the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) is working with pro-China media in Taiwan and Hong Kong to conduct “cognitive warfare” on behalf of Beijing’
Taiwanese legislature to discuss military pay raises next week – Taipei Times
Inside TaiwanPlus: Can new leadership fix Taiwan’s English-language channel? – CommonWealth Magazine
Taiwan’s exports rise for 19th straight month to hit new high in May – Focus Taiwan