De Chinese Wouden, donderdag 15 december: Xi-Poetin, EU-ASEAN, von der Leyen
WSJ heeft een stuk over de nauwe banden tussen Xi Jinping en Vladimir Poetin. Ik citeer de belangrijkste brokjes. Als de persoonlijke voorkeuren van Xi al zo’n belangrijke rol zouden spelen bij een geopolitiek vraagstuk met dit gewicht, dan zegt dat natuurlijk wat over de manier waarop beleid gevormd wordt. AP had een tijdje terug een belangwekkend stuk over de interne rapportagekanalen die stokken vanwege de angst om de grote baas iets te vertellen wat hij niet wil horen.
In het Verenigd Koninkrijk zijn de Chinese diplomaten die demonstranten voor het consulaat-generaal in Manchester aanvielen teruggeroepen door Peking, om de consequenties voor te zijn die waren beloofd bij gebrek aan medewerking aan het politieonderzoek.
Vandaag was de ‘EU-ASEAN commemorative summit’ in Brussel om de 45 jaar diplomatieke betrekkingen tussen beide regionale organisaties te herdenken. Zoals een betaalmuurstuk in FAZ kopte: er is meer in Azië dan China. Maar dat ‘meer’ is wel belangrijk voor onze positionering ten opzichte van China. Men is in Zuidoost-Azië niet happig om te kiezen tussen Washington en Peking. Een derde partij kan daarbij wederzijdse steun en inspiratie zijn.
In Straatsburg kwam Urusula von der Leyen met voorstellen voor de uitdaging van China en Amerika.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇩🇪
Embassy Tulip Award in China awarded to Lǐ Qiáochǔ 李翘楚 – The Netherlands and you 🇳🇱
China diplomats, including consul-general, leave UK over Manchester protester attack – BBC News: ‘UK officials made clear the Chinese embassy in London was fully aware that if the diplomats did not agree to take part in the police investigation, then there would be further consequences.’ ‘Instead, China has chosen to avoid that outcome by recalling the diplomats themselves.’ 🇬🇧
EU-kandidaat Bosnië-Herzegovina handelt steeds meer met China, bevolking krimpt door zwakke economie – De Volkskrant: „China [was] in 2021 goed […] voor 8 procent van de Bosnische import” 🇧🇦
China en Rusland 🇨🇳🇷🇺
In 2013, on the eve of Mr. Xi’s state visit to Russia, his first foreign trip as China's president, Mr. Putin remarked that the two countries were forging a special relationship. The authoritarian leaders shared similar visions of restoring their countries to past glory. “I have a similar personality to yours,” Mr. Xi told Mr. Putin during his visit to Moscow.
The two have since developed a ritual of wishing each other happy birthday.
[…] Western nations […] were laying the groundwork for a diplomatic boycott of the Games over China’s human-rights record. The Biden administration was about to kick off a Summit for Democracy in early December […]
Those moves infuriated Beijing and drove Mr. Xi to make a bold statement about China's relations with Russia, declaring the partnership had “no limits”.
The intention wasn’t to declare allegiance with Russia in the case of war, say the people close to Beijing’s decision-making, but rather to send a message that the two countries were resolute in confronting what they perceived as mounting American threats.
By reinforcing his opposition to nuclear weapons, Mr. Xi indicated he thinks he has the upper hand in the bilateral relationship, policy advisers and foreign-affairs experts say.
“It doesn’t suggest that China is abandoning Russia, but it does suggest that China sees snubbing Russia as acceptable now,” said Ms. Sun of the Stimson Center. “China's dominance in the relationship is growing,” she added.
Zeitentechwarwende ⏱️💽
Waarom ASML, ondanks enorme vraag naar chip, voet bij stuk houdt: „Nationale en economische belangen” – AD: „De Nederlandse overheid zou in ieder geval stevig met de Amerikanen moet onderhandelen, oordeelt Martijn Rasser. Amerika wil zo graag eenNederlands exportverbod, dat het mogelijk moet zijn het eens te worden over een tegenprestatie, zeker nu de VS grote investeringen in deAmerikaanse chipsector heeft aangekondigd.” 🇳🇱
Europa worstelt met eigen antwoord op Amerikaanse subsidiegolf – NRC: „Vraag je het aan de Amerikanen zelf, dan is het antwoord duidelijk. Zij roepen de EU op zelf ook veel forser de portemonnee te trekken.” 🇪🇺
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen calls for new joint debt tool to compete with China and US clean-tech – EUobserver: ‘she suggested the US and the EU could create a “raw materials club” to prevent unwanted competition between the Atlantic allies.’ 🇪🇺
„EU is te laat met Amerikaanse samenwerking tegen China”, zegt CDA-Europarlementariër Tom Berendsen – BNR 🇪🇺
Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on the preparation of the European Council meeting of 15 December 2022 – European Commission: ‘Slava Ukraini. Merry Christmas and long live Europe.’ 🇪🇺
Ook namens mij.
The Biden administration plans to put China’s YMTC and dozens of other companies on a trade blacklist that would prevent them from buying certain American components – Bloomberg
Export controls hit China’s access to Arm’s leading-edge chip designs – FT
Exclusive: US to remove some Chinese entities from red flag ‘unverified’ list soon, US official says – Reuters
China bans exports of Loongson military grade processors to Russia, Kommersant reports – RFE/RL
The EU will propose a €10 billion investment package to countries in Southeast Asia as the European bloc seeks to strengthen ties with the region to diversify supply chains and rally support against Russia – Bloomberg: ‘part of the EU’s Global Gateway’
EU-ASEAN 🇪🇺🌏
EU moet Zuid-Oost Azië ‘meer aanbieden’, vindt EU zelf – NRC
Singapore welcomes EU’s economic engagement and stronger security ties with Asean, says PM Lee Hsien Loong – The Straits Times
Indonesia struggles to build military that can stave off China – Bloomberg: ‘“I don’t think there’s a consensus that China is the adversary,” said Mr Laksmana of the National University of Singapore.’
EU-ASEAN commemorative summit, 14 December 2022 – European Council: ‘EU and ASEAN leaders reaffirm the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea, in accordance with international law.’
gisteren: EU-Asean statement drops language about Taiwan ahead of summit – SCMP
China covid 🦠
Zonder zero-Covid is er in China geen houden meer aan – NRC
Waarom China het moeilijk heeft zonder zerocovidbeleid – NU.nl interviewt mij
Medical staff in China’s hospitals say Covid-19 ripping through their ranks – Reuters
As Covid spreads rapidly across China, elderly care homes are barricading their doors in an attempt to save their vulnerable patients – Bloomberg
In covid U-turn, China’s message to the people shifts from war to self-care – Reuters
‘Tough times’: Warnings sound over China’s rapid ‘Zero Covid’ exit – Reuters: ‘The WHO typically refrains from commenting on individual countries' policies’
China’s covid spike not due to lifting of restrictions, WHO director says – Reuters
Xinhua Commentary: China’s improved anti-covid measures a booster dose to global recovery – Xinhua: ‘Unsurprisingly, some biased media outlets and pundits in the West have already rushed to question China’s latest adjustments’
Questions-réponses lors du dîner-débat organisé par l’Association de la presse diplomatique – Ambassade de la Republique Populaire de Chine en Republique Francaise: « des forces antichinoises à l’extérieur du pays saisissent tout de suite cette occasion pour politiser l’événement. »
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
In de Himalaya bevechten twee kernmachten elkaar met stokken – NRC
Van de Zuid-Aziëcorrespondent.
China sent vice premier Hú Chūnhuá 胡春华, was recently removed from the top echelons of power, to meet Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi – Bloomberg: ‘“China firmly supports Iran in opposing external interference and safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity,” it cited Hu as saying.’
Can China continue to balance between Saudi Arabia and Iran? – Jesse Marks for The Diplomat
China urges citizens to leave Afghanistan after Kabul attack – The Diplomat
The US wants to counter China’s moves in Africa. But American officials try not to mention that. – The New York Times
Japan to radically overhaul defence policy on China threats – AFP
Japan foreign minister eyes China visit in December amid strained ties – Kyodo News
China economie
China’s zero-Covid retreat sparks wealth management product sell-off – FT
Covid-weary Chinese millionaires eye Singapore amid ‘chaos and unpredictability’ at home – SCMP
Niet het eerste verhaal over Singapore en voor een stadstaat van 5,5 miljoen inwoners is het al snel veel. Maar wel makkelijk om te beschrijven, dus ik zou wel eens het relatieve aandeel van emigranten willen zien.
China binnenland
China outlines central and local government roles in rural revitalisation drive – Xinhua
Hong Kong
Democratic Party vows to serve Hongkongers after 3 ex-lawmakers imprisoned over legislature scuffles – HKFP
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
FDA discloses China’s import requirements – Taipei Times: ‘the form specifies that all fields are mandatory, which differs from the document for other nations’ exporters.’ ‘several Taiwanese companies are not planning to submit additional documents to resume exports to China, and would instead seek to sell their products in other countries, as the Chinese forms require them to reveal trade secrets.’
Canada and Taiwan mull launching official foreign investment promotion and protection agreement (FIPA) talks, Canadian envoy says – Focus Taiwan
Taiwan-based social media star ‘Lia the Anxious Housewife’ says departure blocked by China – RFA: ‘amid growing concern that the mainland Chinese spouses of Taiwanese nationals could be increasingly vulnerable to persecution by the Chinese authorities’
What will William Lai Ching-te 賴清德 (Lài Qīngdé) as [likely] new chair of Taiwan’s ruling DPP mean for cross-Strait relations? – Chieh Yen for The Diplomat
Yen is zelf ook DPP’er, maar het stuk bevat lekker veel linkjes voor meer achtergronden.
Is China planning to attack Taiwan? A careful consideration of available evidence says no – Timothy R. Heath for War on the Rocks
Taiwan binnenland en economie
Finance ministry expected to adopt 15% minimum corporate tax in 2024 at earliest – Focus Taiwan
‘Milestone’ ICERD implementation report issued – Taipei Times