De Chinese Wouden, maandag 22 juli: Plenum
De komende week ben ik op vakantie. Er komt volgende week weer een nieuwsbrief.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Europese verkiezingen
For China, EU ties looking rocky after re-election of hawkish Ursula von der Leyen (EPP) – SCMP: ‘Costa’s appointment to chair the council […] has been a glimmer of hope for Beijing: during his nine years at the helm in Lisbon, he invited billions of euros in Chinese investment into the Portuguese economy.’
‘Sources said Engin Eroglu, a centrist German lawmaker who has championed Uyg[h]ur rights in the chamber, is expected to lead its next China delegation.’ 🇪🇺
Taiwan congratulates Ursula von der Leyen (EPP) on reelection – Focus Taiwan 🇪🇺
‘Political guidelines by @vonderleyen for the next @EU_Commission contain gross interference into #China’s internal affair. Playing with fire on #Taiwan is highly dangerous. Meddling and even trying to join forces is by no means a right choice for #Europe.’ – 王鲁彤 Wang Lutong, Twitter 🇪🇺
Rusland 🇷🇺
Chinese and Belarussian troops practice seizing airport in drill near Ukrainian and Polish borders – SCMP: ‘The joint “anti-terrorist training” exercise known as Eagle Assault was held near the city of Brest’ 🇧🇾
Exclusive: Illicit chip flows to Russia seen slowing, but China and Hong Kong remain transshipment hubs – Reuters: ‘fell by a fifth this year previously undisclosed U.S. Commerce Department data shows, but Hong Kong remains a global sanctions evasion hotspot.’ 🇷🇺
China’s vice premier Dīng Xuēxiáng 丁薛祥 to attend China-Russia energy cooperation committee meeting – Reuters 🇷🇺
overige
Derde Plenum
Xinhua Headlines: CCP Central Committee adopts resolution on further deepening reform comprehensively – Xinhua: ‘The reform tasks laid out in the resolution shall be completed by the time the People’s Republic of China celebrates its 80th founding anniversary in 2029, said the communique.’
Full text: Resolution of CCP Central Committee on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernisation – Xinhua
Full text: Explanation of resolution of CPC Central Committee on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernisation – Xinhua
China puts tax reform in sights as leaders mull government’s role in alleviating pressure – SCMP
China seeks ‘unified market’ to surmount regional barriers, boost consumption – SCMP
China’s third plenum vows support for private sector and ‘stable’ climate for foreign firms – SCMP
China sets 2029 deadline to create science and tech ‘quality workforce’ to power nation – SCMP
Chinese official calls for ‘proactive’ stimulus to distribute growth across economy – FT
Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to increase support for local governments and deepen tax reform, as the ruling Communist Party unveiled its long-term economic plan – Bloomberg
reacties
Top officials in China offered a rare nod to the risks facing its sagging economy, without pointing to major overhauls – WSJ: ‘The discussion of specific threats to growth is unusual in Third Plenum communiqués, which in the past have typically referred to risks only in vague terms.’
‘Yet officials didn’t signal any major overhauls. Instead they reaffirmed Xi’s vision for a state-driven model of development focused on economic security and technological dominance—one that many analysts say is exacerbating the economy’s imbalances.’
Long-awaited Chinese policy update presents no major shift – Reuters
China reaffirms lofty policy goals, offers no implementation details – Reuters: ‘“There is really little in the initial statement that leaves room for an optimistic interpretation,” said Max Zenglein, chief economist at Merics, a China studies institute.’
China’s Communist Party sticks to painful reform playbook to target risks and growth – SCMP: ‘the communique contained few surprises, reflecting the leadership’s assessment that China needs to finish painful economic restructuring rather than apply a quick fix.’
China fails to deliver bold moves to reassure foreign investors – Nikkei Asia
Ten quick takeaways of the Resolution of the Central Committee of the CPC on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization – Beijing Scroll (Xinhua-linked Substack)
First impressions from the third plenum – Bert Hofman: ‘This year’s plenum has dropped the decisive role of the market. Instead, it proposes that the party should “better leverage the role of the market.”’
Handel 🇪🇺🇨🇳
elektrische auto’s
Chinese industry body tells EU to correct its ‘unlawful’ findings on EVs and terminate investigation – Reuters 🇪🇺
Dit soort arrogant taalgebruik helpt ook niet echt.
Volkswagen CEO talks trade and tech with Chinese ministers in Beijing – Reuters 🇩🇪
overige
EU to set provisional tariffs on Chinese biodiesel in anti-dumping probe – Reuters: ‘between 12.8 and 36.4%’ 🇪🇺
Focus: Chinese wind turbine-makers move into Europe as trade tensions flare – Reuters: ‘None of the companies would comment on claims by European industry representatives that Chinese manufacturers offer incentives, such as deferred payments, and prices that are up to 50% lower those of than European rivals.’ 🇪🇺
China to start anti-dumping duties on propionic acid products from US – Reuters 🇺🇸
Tech War 💽💥
Why China is so interested in Kazakhstan – The New York Times 🇰🇿
Intel shelves French and Italian chip investments – POLITICO Europe 🇫🇷🇮🇹
Taiwan to go global with ‘New Southbound Fund’, foreign minister says – Nikkei Asia: ‘One aim is to establish a “democracy supply chain,” in contrast to China’s “red supply chain,” the minister added’
Huawei 华为 sues Taiwan’s MediaTek 聯發科技 over alleged patent infringement – Nikkei Asia: ‘filed the suit in a Chinese district court.’
TSMC 台積電 on track to start N2 chip production in 2025 – Focus Taiwan: ‘He added that TSMC is also on track to launch the N2P and A16 processes in the second half of 2026.’
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
China’s expanding Arctic ambitions challenge the US and NATO – Newsweek
Laos and China use BRI-funded railway to bring their armies together – Duncan Bartlett for The Diplomat: ‘Chinese soldiers were transported into Laos on a recently constructed railway, financed by Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) loans.’ 🇱🇦
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
Zuid-Chinese Zee
Philippines and China reach crucial deal on RoRe missions for Second Thomas Shoal – GMA News 🇵🇭
Philippines and China Agree on Arrangement for Rotation and Resupplying (RORE) to BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal – Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines: ‘In addition, both sides agreed that the principles and approaches will not prejudice each other’s positions in the South China Sea.’ 🇵🇭
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson’s remarks on China reaching provisional arrangement with Philippines on managing situation at Ren'ai Jiao – Xinhua
US to support Philippines’ efforts to resupply ship Sierra Madre on Second Thomas Shoal in South China Sea, Sullivan says – Reuters 🇺🇸🇵🇭
Philippines ready to engage Vietnam on overlapping seabed claim in South China Sea – GMA News 🇵🇭🇻🇳
South China Sea claims by the Philippines and Vietnam ‘unacceptable’, Taiwanese foreign ministry says – Focus Taiwan 🇹🇼🇵🇭🇻🇳
Beijing protests after Vietnam asks UN to extend South China Sea continental shelf – SCMP 🇻🇳
overige
After spurning China for years, Brazil reveals plan to join Belt and Road Initiative – SCMP 🇧🇷
China’s top diplomat Wáng Yì 王毅 urges Canada to ‘seriously reflect’ on strained ties – SCMP: ‘China has repeatedly denied claims of interference. According to Wang, China and Canada needed to treat each other with mutual respect’ 🇨🇦
Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 mourns passing of Nguyen Phu Trong – Xinhua: ‘on Saturday went to the Embassy of Vietnam in China to mourn the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong.’ 🇻🇳
Trump said Xi wrote ‘beautiful note’ after assassination attempt – Reuters 🇺🇸
Chinese envoy calls out US ‘political correctness’ of taking tough line on China – SCMP 🇺🇸
De door Xie Feng zo geprezen stedenbanden worden gecoördineerd door het Verenigd Front van de CCP.
Chinese envoy to UN urges countries to enhance cooperation with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation – Xinhua 🇺🇳
China economie
The billionaire criminal who secretly profited off Jack Ma 马云’s deals – The Wire China: ‘Confidential documents show that Xiao Jianhua, a corrupt investor tied to China’s political elite, backed the country’s most successful and revered entrepreneur.’
China’s central bank battles perceptions that deflation is taking hold – Nikkei Asia: ‘This month, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) took a number of steps aimed at halting the slide in government bond yields, which hint at a further slowdown in the economy.’
China-listed developers with 100bn yuan in 1st-half sales dwindle to 5 – Nikkei Asia
Nomura 野村 banker leaves mainland China after exit ban lifted – FT
China binnenland
11 dead, over 30 missing after China highway bridge collapse amid torrential rains – Xinhua
5 killed, 8 missing after torrential rains hit northwest China’s Shaanxi – Xinhua
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Book Fair exhibitors told to remove certain titles after ‘complaints’ – HKFP
Hong Kong independent book fair offers publishers ‘safe space,’ even as government inspections cast uncertainty over event – HKFP
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
Japan and Taiwan coast guards conduct joint exercise; rescue operation simulated off Boso Peninsula – The Yomiuri Shimbun: ‘It was the first maritime exercise between the two coast guards since Japan and Taiwan severed diplomatic ties in 1972.’ 🇯🇵
Taiwan confirms joint maritime drill with Japan Coast Guard – Focus Taiwan: ‘was arranged under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association and the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association in 2017, the CGA told reporters.’ 🇯🇵
Beijing protests over Japan-Taiwan coastguard joint rescue exercise – SCMP 🇯🇵🇨🇳
Han Kuang drills to test supply line resiliency in case of blockade – Focus Taiwan: ‘The source said that a drill aimed at testing military-civilian cooperation to carry out wartime supply-delivery missions will therefore be staged at a major port in Taiwan during the five-day live-fire drills to ensure links to the outside world could remain open in the event of a Chinese blockade.’
Highlights of the 2024 Han Kuang military exercises – Focus Taiwan
Taiwan’s military drills turn serious as China threat escalates – FT: ‘A former top general said Mei’s focus on practising decentralised command indicated the military leadership was finally embracing asymmetric warfare’
SEF signals goodwill to China, assigns personnel to Kinmen – Focus Taiwan: ‘personnel from the SEF will be stationed at a local service center in Kinmen dedicated to handling ferry-related services between Taiwan’s Kinmen and the nearby Chinese coastal city of Xiamen.’ 🇨🇳
Taiwan, China officials attend Kinmen-Xiamen relay swimming contest – Focus Taiwan 🇨🇳
NSC urges caution over extradition fears – Taipei Times: ‘The National Security Council (NSC) have established a system to evaluate the risk of a country extraditing or repatriating Taiwanese to China, a government official said yesterday.’ ‘To avoid any unnecessary diplomatic disputes, diplomatic agencies would not name the countries that are high risk, because China might take advantage of the situation, they said.’ 🇨🇳
Taiwan binnenland en economie
Injunction granted against Legislature’s investigative power measures – Focus Taiwan
TPP-leider Ko Wen-je beschuldigt de regerende DPP gelijk van het ingrijpen in de rechtsgang, zonder bewijs te leveren.
KMT and TPP to invite president to address Legislative Yuan – Taipei Times
Taiwan must protect its sovereignty and know its own history, president Lai tells DPP annual convention – Reuters: ‘“Now, our responsibility to unite the people, oppose annexation (by China) and ensure national sovereignty,” he said, speaking in Taiwanese’
President Lai talks sovereignty at DPP congress – Taipei Times: ‘Lai stressed the need to make a clean break from the past when Taiwan was under the authoritarian rule of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT).’
‘Former president Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) did not attend the congress yesterday as she had a personal commitment.’
Donovan’s Deep Dives: Intrigue and infighting as the DPP factions ride back into battle – Courtney Donovan Smith for Taipei Times
Taipei City councillor Chen Chung-wen 陳重文 (KMT) charged with fraud in NT$3.21m deals – Taipei Times
Ex-con member of pro-China Unification Promotion Party threatens to harm DPP lawmakers and Bluebird protesters – Taipei Times
CIER revises growth forecast to 3.81% – Taipei Times
Government asks Taiwanese kendo association to protest over player representing China – Focus Taiwan