De Chinese Wouden, maandag 19 februari: Munich Security Conference, China dreigt bij Kinmen
De Munich Security Conference vond de afgelopen dagen plaats in Beieren. Dit belangrijkste Europese veiligheidsforum ging uiteraard veel over de grote zorgen rondom Rusland en Oekraïne. Maar China was ook aanwezig.
Minster van buitenlandse zaken Wang Yi had een belangrijke rol, alsmede Fu Ying, een belangrijke buitenlandfluisteraar. Ze presenteren ons met een dilemma. De ontmoetingen met onder andere de Oekraïense minister van buitenlandse zaken in de marge van de top waren nuttig. Ook is het niet verkeerd om hun wereldbeeld te horen om hen beter te begrijpen.
Maar we boden nu wel een groot Europees podium aan de gebruikelijke propaganda, leugens en zelfs dreigementen over Chinese ambities, de Oeigoeren en Taiwan. We verliezen ook wat, wanneer we zulke deelnemers als tegenhangers of podiumwaardig presenteren. Tegelijkertijd moeten de organisatoren zich inhouden met bijvoorbeeld onderwerpen over Oost-Azië en het uitnodigen van ook relevante Taiwanese en Japanse sprekers, omdat ze anders de Chinese gasten kwijtraken.
Ondertussen is er een zorgelijke ontwikkeling gaande rond het door Taiwan gecontroleerde eiland Kinmen/Quemoy voor de kust van de Chinese stad Xiamen. Vorige week verdronken twee van de vier Chinese vissers bij een vluchtpoging voor de Taiwanese kustwacht, die ze betrapt had bij het stropen in Taiwanese wateren. Na de gebruikelijke bozige reactie uit Peking is er nu een volgende stap gezet.
De Taiwanese eilanden Kinmen en Matsu liggen erg dicht bij de Chinese kust. Over de wateren rondom die eilanden spreken we dan ook in termen van ‘beperkte’ en ‘verboden’ wateren. Deze gebieden zijn de facto altijd grotendeels gerespecteerd door China (excl. stropers) en vormen dus onderdeel van de status quo.
Volgens de Taiwan Affairs Office van Peking nu is er echter nooit sprake geweest van ‘beperkte’ en ‘verboden’ wateren en vormen de gebieden onderdeel van de traditionele viswateren van Chinezen van beide kanten van de Straat. De Chinese kustwacht zegt dat ze reguliere patrouilles in de wateren tussen Xiamen en Taiwan uit zal voeren om maritieme rechtshandhaving te versterken.
Een Taiwanese expert brengt in herinnering dat tot enkele jaren terug Peking ook de de facto middenlijn in de lucht boven de Straat van Taiwan respecteerde. Toen stelde de Taiwan Affairs Office ook ineens dat de middenlijn nooit bestaan zou hebben. Sindsdien is China daar continu aan het rondvliegen. Recentelijk verplaatste het nog een route voor burgerluchtvaart dichter naar de middellijn toe – wat helpt verwarring te scheppen over de civiele of militaire aard van wat vanuit China naar Taiwan toe vliegt.
China is duidelijk bezig met het creëren van meer plekken waar het aan ‘brinkmanship’ kan doen om Taipei af te schrikken. Nu hebben we dus weer een stap van Peking die op een gevoelig grensgebied het risico op ongelukken vergroot. Ik vind dit eng.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Chinese train maker CRRC 中国中车’s unit Qingdao Sifang Locomotive 青岛四方机车车辆 targeted by EU subsidy probe – POLITICO Europe: ‘China’s state-owned train manufacturer CRRC is the target of the European Commission's first probe into unfair foreign state subsidies.’
Qingdao Sifang is van oorsprong koloniaal-Duits.
Opinie: Europese automarkt is te afhankelijk van China – Caroline Nagtegaal-van Doorn (VVD) in AD: „Naast oneerlijke concurrentie ligt ook spionage op de loer.” 🇪🇺
China and ‘good friend’ Hungary to deepen collaboration and cooperation in policing and security – SCMP: ‘signing a series of agreements on improving cooperation in the areas.’ 🇭🇺
Het Chinese ministerie van openbare veiligheid is de belangrijkste uitvoerder van de dagelijkse repressie in China.
France’s DCI Group to supply components for Taiwanese navy frigates – Focus Taiwan: ‘The navy has allocated a total of NT$43.2 billion to modernize the Kang Ding-class ships by 2030’ 🇫🇷
Senior CCP official Liú Jiànchāo 刘建超 in Russia advocates safeguarding development right of all countries – Xinhua: ‘Liu made the remarks Friday during the opening ceremony of the founding of the International Inter-Party Forum of Supporters of Combatting Modern Practices of Neo-Colonialism in Moscow.’ ‘Liu also met with of United Russia party Chairman Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines of the Forum.’ 🇷🇺
De verwachte nieuwe Chinese minister van buitenlandse zaken bij de lancering van een nieuw Russisch initiatief tegen ‘neo-kolonialisme’.
Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 congratulates Stubb on election as Finnish president – Xinhua 🇫🇮
Munich Security Conference 🏔️🇩🇪
Munich Security Conference: China’s Wáng Yì 王毅 defends ties with Russia, warns West on Taiwan ‘red line’ – SCMP: ‘On Ukraine, Beijing’s top diplomat said China had been “working relentlessly to promote peace and peace talks”, but there were “not ripe conditions in place for parties to go back to the negotiating table”.’
Voorheen suggereerde Peking juist dat de Westerse argumenten dat de tijd niet rijp was juist onzin waren, maar toen deed Poetin het natuurlijk ook minder goed op het slagveld.
‘He dismissed concerns about the Chinese economy and warned those considering de-risking that “the world economy is like a big ocean that cannot be cut into isolated lakes”.’
‘He invited conference attendees to go to Xinjiang, saying it was “open to all that are interested to visit”.’
China foreign minister Wáng Yì 王毅 courts Europe in wake of Trump’s NATO taunt – Nikkei Asia: ‘Citing Beijing’s close partnership with Russia as “a new model for major country relations,” Wang called on Europe to join hands with China to overcome global issues together.’
China can’t be cut out of global economy, warns foreign minister Wáng Yì 王毅 – POLITICO Europe
China auf der Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz: Die Unwahrheiten des Herrn Wang – Der Spiegel
Ukrainian foreign minister discusses peace prospects with China’s Wáng Yì 王毅 – Reuters: ‘China will not “add fuel to the fire, take advantage of opportunities to reap gains, or sell lethal weapons in conflict zones or parties,” Wang said.’ 🇺🇦
Wáng Yì 王毅 meets with Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China: Wang Yi noted that China and Ukraine are strategic partners and our two peoples have long enjoyed friendly exchanges. China once again thanks Ukraine for its help at the emergency evacuation of the Chinese nationals. We appreciate Ukraine’s always stance on the one-China principle [sic].’ 🇺🇦
Foreign minister Wáng Yì 王毅 elaborates on China’s position on Ukraine crisis [sic] – Xinhua: ‘Wang said that China is not a signatory to the Budapest Memorandum, but has recognized it through a government statement.’ ‘China did not create the Ukraine crisis, nor is it a party to the crisis, yet China neither stood idle nor took advantage of the crisis.’ 🇺🇦
China: High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell meets Director/Foreign Minister Wáng Yì 王毅 – EU EEAS: ‘High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell expressed the EU’s expectation that China refrains from supporting Russia.’
‘He invited his counterpart to visit Brussels to continue a discussion on war and peace, which both the EU and China want for a more prosperous world.’ 🇪🇺
China ready to promote equal, orderly multipolar world with EU, says foreign minister – Xinhua 🇪🇺
Xinhua Commentary: How to avoid lose-lose? True multilateralism gives answer – Xinhua: ‘Indeed, the West is largely responsible for the instability and outbreak of hostilities that have shattered world peace.’
‘the West, despite its professed devotion to liberal ideas and democratic principles, is gravely bound by the shackles of the Cold War mentality that stifles growth and perpetuates divisions.’
China’s Wáng Yì 王毅 voices concerns to US over Taiwan, trade and anti-Chinese harassment in talks with Antony Blinken – SCMP: ‘Wang said Washington should “put into practice its statement of non-support for ‘Taiwan independence’”.’ 🇺🇸
Sterke taal op het gebied van Taiwan is nu echt standaard voor elke ontmoeting met de Amerikanen.
Chinese foreign minister Wáng Yì 王毅 calls for sound, steady, and sustainable development of China-US ties – Xinhua: ‘Wang said the most important task for both sides currently is to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state to make the “San Francisco vision” a reality’ 🇺🇸
Altijd leuk als Peking een consensus bedenkt waaraan je je gecommitteerd zou hebben bij de vorige top. Wel benieuwd hoe dit past bij de door Xi Jinping expliciet geuite ambitie om eenzijdige afhankelijkheid van China te creëren door industriepolitiek en wat we hiervan moeten maken in het licht van de recentelijk naar buiten gekomen structurele Chinese hackcampagne gericht op kritieke Amerikaanse infrastructuur.
Quick View: Small steps of animosity or amity matter in China-US ties – Xinhua: ‘Take, for instance, the unjust harassment and interrogation of Chinese citizens at the U.S. border’ 🇺🇸
Natuurlijk zijn er dingen die de VS beter kan doen. Maar er is geen enkel blijk van zelfinzicht aan de Chinese kant dat Pekings gedrag oprechte reden tot zorg geeft.
FBI Director Christopher Wray says Beijing’s efforts to covertly plant offensive malware inside US critical infrastructure networks is now at ‘a scale greater than we’d seen before’ – WSJ: ‘Wray said Beijing-backed actors were pre-positioning malware that could be triggered at any moment to disrupt U.S. critical infrastructure.’ 🇺🇸
„Kunstjes die Chinese hackers laten zien zijn zó belachelijk goed” – BNR
UK’s Cameron raises Red Sea and human rights issues with Chinese counterpart Wáng Yì 王毅 – Reuters 🇬🇧
Canada says China has role to play in keeping Red Sea safe – Reuters 🇨🇦
Chinese foreign minister Wáng Yì 王毅 calls on Germany to support each other on issues of respective core interests – Xinhua 🇩🇪
China to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation with Poland, says foreign minister – Xinhua 🇵🇱
Kinmen/Quemoy 🏝️⛴️
China’s coastguard vows regular patrols in waters where two Chinese fishermen died after Taiwan coastguard chase – SCMP: ‘The Taiwanese coastguard said the fishermen’s speedboat was found trespassing into prohibited waters off Quemoy. When the coastguard gave chase, the boat capsized and its four occupants fell overboard. All four were recovered from the water by Taiwan but only two survived. In a statement on Saturday, Zhu said fishermen from both sides of the Taiwan Strait had been operating “in the traditional fishing zones in the Xiamen-Kinmen sea area since ancient times”. “There is no such a thing as ‘prohibited or restricted’ waters in the zones,” she said.’
‘The [Chinese] coastguard, in a statement on its official website on Sunday, said its Fujian bureau will carry out regular patrols and inspections in waters between Xiamen and Taiwan to strengthen maritime law enforcement.’
[Chinese] spokesperson urges swift release of fishermen detained by Taiwan after fatal fishing boat expulsion – Xinhua: ‘Both sides of the Strait belong to one and the same China, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, Zhu reiterated. She added that since ancient times, fishermen from both sides of the Strait have been operating in the traditional fishery zones of the Strait.
There has never been such a thing as “off-limit” or “restricted” waters in the zones, said Zhu.’ ‘She added that [China] reserves the right to take further measures, the consequences of which shall be borne by the Taiwan side.’
China using ‘grey zone’ tactics after deadly Kinmen boat case, experts say – Focus Taiwan: ‘Shen said the announcement was equivalent to China’s previous declaration that there was no strait median line and was intended to double down on its claim that waters around Kinmen and Matsu are its internal territorial waters.’
‘Meanwhile, Yu Tsung-chi […], told CNA on Sunday that China’s refusal to acknowledge the “restricted” or “prohibited” waters around Taiwan was evidence of its lack of respect for the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
He questioned how Chinese fishing vessels had previously been seized or driven away if there was no such thing as “restricted” or “prohibited” waters.’
Peking probeert met salamitactieken steeds wat te veranderen aan de status quo.
Taiwan rejects China’s criticisms following deadly Kinmen boat chase – Focus Taiwan: ‘The MAC, Taiwan’s top government agency in charge of cross-Taiwan Strait affairs, said in a statement that the government will continue “to enforce the law” in waters it controls based on the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.’
Pro-KMT krant UDN helpt de CPP al met het werk van de interne verdeling door de schuld in de schoenen van de regerende DPP te schuiven in een commentaar.
Tech War 💽💥
Global green transition is re-energising China’s investments in Africa after pandemic slowdown – SCMP
Chinese tegenhanger Boeing 737 vliegt voor het eerst buiten China – NU.nl
China and US are taking baby steps to cooperate on AI. What’s at stake? – The Straits Times 🇺🇸
Ukraine prime minister seeks Japanese investment in EVs and beyond – Nikkei Asia 🇯🇵
Biden administration is said to slow early stage of shift to electric cars – The New York Times 🇺🇸
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
Explainer: China puts high expectations on ‘new productive forces’ in search for sustainable growth engines – SCMP
China’s economic powerhouses target top-tier industrial tech in national ‘high-quality growth’ drive – SCMP
Momenteel ben ik The Gilded Cage van Lei Ya-wen aan het lezen, over de geschiedenis van Chinees techo-developmentalistisch overheidsdenken over arbeid en de productieve krachten. Haar verschijning in de podcast Pekingology van CSIS is al verhelderend. Een belangrijk argument dat Lei maakt, is hoezeer de hoop dat high-tech de Chinese economie redt en grootmachtstatus brengt, de miljoenen minder opgeleide Chinese arbeiders negeert die ook nog gewoon werk nodig hebben.
China’s EV suppliers look to leverage superior tech to recouple with West and drive expansion – FT
Foreign direct investment in China falls to 30-year low – Nikkei Asia: ‘down about 80% from 2022.’ ‘FDI is at its lowest point since […] Deng […] tour of southern China in 1992.’
Wat?!
Taiwanese investment in China hits record low of 11.4% of total – Taipei Times: ‘a huge decline from 83.8 percent in 2010’
Xi Jinping verdient een prijs van de Taiwanese onafhankelijkheidsbeweging voor de manier waarop hij erin is geslaagd om Tsai Ing-wen te helpen de absurde Taiwanese economische afhankelijkheid van China zo enorm terug te dringen in zijn regeerperiode.
The US needs a better strategic narrative or it will cede influence to China – Rear Admiral (ret.) Mike Studemen in FT: ‘By comparison, US information operations are subdued.’ 🇺🇸
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
Chinese fisherfolk are using cyanide to ‘destroy’ Scarborough Shoal on purpose, says Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources – Philstar 🇵🇭
Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ships to rotate at Bajo de Masinloc [Scarborough Shoal] starting February – GMA News 🇵🇭
Philippines accuses Chinese boats of ‘dangerous’ actions – AFP 🇵🇭
China says it won’t rock the boat at WTO overfishing talks – AFP
Chinese village construction in disputed zone outpaces China-Bhutan border talks – SCMP 🇧🇹
Warner Bros. collaboration with Chinese propaganda outlet CGTN draws congressional outrage – The National Review 🇺🇸
China, Russia, and Cambodia top list of regimes targeting critics in exile – The Guardian
China economie
Chinese stocks look poised for a strong open when onshore traders return from the Lunar New Year break, helped by buoyant travel and tourism data – Bloomberg
China’s Lunar New Year spending surges beyond pre-pandemic level – Nikkei Asia
Xinhua Headlines: China cashes in on vibrant Spring Festival holiday spending – Xinhua
‘It’s legalised robbery’: anger grows at China’s struggling shadow banks – The Observer: ‘Considering the firm’s troubles, Bedford says that the level of the proposed restitution is “quite high”’ ‘All this is little solace to middle-class investors’
Liquidators for China’s Evergrande 恒大 prepare to sue PwC over audits – FT
Je kunt mensen als mij pedante haviken vinden als ze klagen over de betrouwbaarheid van de Chinese cijfers. Maar als je had kunnen weten dat ze niet kloppen, kan dat juridische consequenties hebben.
China binnenland
China's State Council discusses draft government work report – Xinhua
China conducts first nationwide review of retractions and research misconduct – Nature: ‘more than 17,000 retraction notices for papers published by Chinese co-authors have been issued since 1 January 2021, which is the start of the period of review specified in the notice.’
China spy agency renews foreign cyber intelligence warning after data breaches – SCMP
China deports ‘black hand’ foreigner over theft of thousands of wild plants – SCMP
Hong Kong
Hong Kong should step up explaining security law to foreign firms and convince them to use city as base for Greater Bay Area expansion, CY Leung 梁振英 says – SCMP: ‘He noted that the action against [Philip] Chan was taken by the Singapore government, whereas future suspects under Hong Kong’s proposed local national security law could only be convicted by the courts and such legal proceedings would provide a clearer picture of the “red lines” they crossed.’
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
No evidence balloons were released by Chinese PLA drills to disrupt Taiwanese defences, Taiwan’s defence ministry says following reports by [pro-Beijing] China Times – Taipei Times: ‘were released for meteorological purposes.’
Taiwan’s military revives nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) gas chamber training for new conscripts after more than a decade – Focus Taiwan
Taiwan signs agreement to bring in Indian migrant workers to ease job crunch – Reuters: ‘implementation details will still need to be worked out.’ 🇮🇳
Taiwanese officials criticise rumours and discriminatory comments about Indian workers – Focus Taiwan 🇮🇳
Honduras paying off loans, says Taiwan’s foreign ministry – Taipei Times 🇭🇳
Taiwan binnenland en economie
Taiwan to invest NT$5.77bn [€171m] in cycling paths – Taipei Times