De Chinese Wouden, maandag 23 juni: slechtere stemming EU-China, Amerika valt Iran aan
De stemming tussen Europa en China is wat negatiever sinds de uitspraken van Von der Leyen in Canada en Pekings reactie op haar woorden. Nadat Trump zijn wereldhandelsoorlog begon, schreef ik gelijk al dat Pekings vond dat Europa de gang naar Canossa moest maken en geen fundamentele toezeggingen kon verwachten. Later schreef ik, dat Europa geen inhoudelijke prioriteit was in de Chinese top. Dat is nu ingedaald in Brussel.
Een overzicht van de Europese bewustwording in SCMP en een hard hoofdredactioneel commentaar in nationalistische tabloid The Global Times maken duidelijk waar we staan. Verder deel ik een nieuwe overzicht van de recente Europese denktankdialoog van een tijdje terug, waarin de toen al duidelijke woorden van de EU-ambassadeur in Peking opvallen.
Inmiddels is er een nieuwe zorg bij wat betreft de handel tussen de EU en China. Nu Trump heeft toegeven aan Netanyahu en Iran heeft gebombardeerd, dreigt Teheran met het afsluiten van de Straat van Hormuz – een belangrijk punt voor vrachtschepen tussen Europa en Azië. Peking veroordeelt de Amerikaanse aanval en roept op tot een staakt-het-vuren in de VN-veiligheidsraad.
Het imago van Europa in de niet-Westerse wereld was al beschadigd vanwege de banden met Israël. Na de halfslachtige semi-steun van enkele Europese leiders voor de internationaalrechtelijk illegale aanvallen op Iran zal de Chinese diplomatie in het ‘Mondiale Zuiden’ nog meer vooruit geholpen worden. Daarnaast komen de terugkerende grappen voorbij over de vliegkampschepen en munitie die sinds Amerikaanse ‘pivot to Asia’ nog altijd van INDOPACOM naar veelvraat CENTCOM blijven stromen. Heeft Washington wel de aandacht en middelen voor de Indo-Pacific?
Lost van woorden en moties kan Peking nu echter ook niet veel doen. De Chinese vertegenwoordiging in Brussel prees in haar meest recente nieuwsbrief de ‘vier punten’ voor Iran-Israël die Xi lanceerde in zijn telefoongesprek met Poetin. Afgelopen zaterdag verscheen er een ‘Zhong Sheng’-commentaar in het Volksdagblad met dezelfde, genegeerde oproep. Der Spiegel heeft een overzichtje van de lang teruggaande banden tussen Peking en Teheran, maar wijst ook op de beperkingen. Het is de vraag wat Peking nog meer wil of kan doen tijdens de verwachte verdere militaire acties van Iran en Israël.
De NAVO-top die deze week los gaat in Den Haag, zal overschaduwd worden door alle perikelen in de wereld. Wel is duidelijk dat Europa echt gaat herbewapenen. Joris Teer wijst in Nieuwsuur over de uitdagingen voor de benodigde industriële basis dankzij afhankelijkheden van China. De houdbaarheid van de maakindustrie zelf is fundamenteler dan de wapens die nu nog van de band rollen op basis van bestaande voorraden. Oorlog die langer duurt dan een paar weken ontaardt uiteindelijk in een strijd tussen logistieke machines.
Na alles wat de afgelopen maanden is gebeurd, zou je bijna vergeten dat er ook nog een techoorlog gaande is. Nadat Washington eerder de AI-regels had versoepeld – voor de Golfstaten – is nu de halfgeleiderproductie weer in het nieuws. De VS zouden beperkingen invoeren die Zuid-Koreaanse en Taiwanese chipfabrikanten in China zouden raken. Dat zou gevolgen hebben voor leverancier ASML.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
How China’s EU charm offensive fell flat: ‘we’re not billiard balls’ – SCMP: ‘Behind-the-scenes impatience with China’s failure to put any meat on the bones of a much-vaunted charm offensive has spilled into the public realm. Brussels, staggered by Beijing’s failure to move even an inch on its trade gripes, has had enough.’
‘At the heart of the flatness of the charm offensive is a Chinese belief that Europe is not a credible actor, according to several observers and insiders.’
‘At a parliamentary meeting in Strasbourg on Thursday, meanwhile, some lawmakers wondered whether their sanctions had been officially removed by Beijing. While a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman seemed to confirm the lifting, no official document has been published.’ 🇪🇺
Editorial: The EU needs more sincerity and less calculation in engaging with China – The Global Times: ‘Now, however, some in Europe mistakenly believe that China, under pressure from the US tariff war, is the one seeking favors from Europe. Some even fantasize that by taking a tougher stance against China, they can force China into making unilateral concessions to the EU.’
‘The EU trying to gain extra leverage or offset losses in its relations with China through protectionist measures or pressure tactics is neither realistic nor dignified. The EU cannot focus solely on its own demands while ignoring China’s legitimate concerns.’ 🇪🇺
Transcript: EU-China at 50: The State of the Bilateral Relationship in a Changing World – CCG Update: ‘organized by the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) and the European Policy Centre (EPC), in Beijing on May 23.’ 🇪🇺
Lees vooral de stevige woorden van EU-ambassadeur Toledo.
(NB: Auteur Wang Zichen is een ‘beïnvloedingswerker’, ‘denktank’ CCG is verbonden aan het Verenigd Front. Dit was natuurlijk geen vrije uitwisseling, maar kan daarom juist instructief zijn – mits in de juiste context begrepen.)
Senior CCP official Yuán Jiājūn 袁家军 visits Germany – Xinhua: ‘led a party delegation […] at the invitation of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) of Germany.’
‘During the visit, Yuan also met separately with executives from Siemens, Mercedes-Benz Group, and other business leaders’ 🇩🇪
Chinese cyber threat to Europe on par with Russia’s, warns Czech president – FT: ‘Lipavský said that while China appeared to be focused primarily on espionage, Russia seemed more interested in sabotage’ 🇨🇿
China-Europe freight trains on full timetables surpass 1,000 trips – Xinhua 🇪🇺🇷🇺
China to boost quality and efficiency in investment cooperation with Russia, vice premier Dīng Xuēxiáng 丁薛祥 says – Xinhua 🇷🇺
Chinese vice premier Dīng Xuēxiáng 丁薛祥 says China-Russia ties rock-solid and unbreakable – Xinhua: ‘made the remarks when answering questions after delivering a speech at the plenary session of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.’
‘Noting that China is happy to see Russia and the United States resume contacts and exchanges, Ding said engagements between major countries are a boon to the entire world as they can help stabilize the international situation and revitalize the global economy.’ 🇷🇺
Peking laat constant een heel negentiende-eeuws beeld doorschemeren van grootmachten met een speciale rol die boven de kibbelende middengrote en kleine machten staat.
Xinhua president meets Rossiyskaya Gazeta chief in Russia on media cooperation – Xinhua 🇷🇺
Russia’s Rosneft’s Sechin says China is moving towards exporting energy – Reuters 🇷🇺
China’s government unleashes hackers against its friend Russia, seeking war secrets – The New York Times: ‘The intrusions started accelerating in May 2022, just months after Moscow’s full-scale invasion. And they have continued steadily’
‘Drone warfare and software are of particular interest to China, the document says.’ 🇷🇺
Why Labour is strengthening ties with China after years of rollercoaster relations – BBC News 🇬🇧
Taipei mayor Chiang Wan-an 蔣萬安 (KMT) off to Paris to participate in ‘Summit of Mayors’ on climate action – Focus Taiwan 🇫🇷
Iran 🇮🇷🇮🇱🇺🇸
UN Security Council meets on Iran as Russia and China push for a ceasefire – Reuters: ‘The U.S. is likely to oppose the draft resolution, seen by Reuters, which also condemns attacks on Iran's nuclear sites and facilities. The text does not name the United States or Israel.’ 🇮🇷🇮🇱🇺🇸
China strongly condemns US attacks on Iran, foreign ministry spokesperson says – Xinhua: ‘The actions of the United States seriously violated the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East, the spokesperson said.
China calls on the parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation, the spokesperson said.’ 🇺🇸🇮🇱🇮🇷
推动中东局势缓和刻不容缓（钟声） – 《人民日报》（2025年06月21日 第03版）：“当前中东局势危急，再次印证世界进入新的动荡变革期。”
In het Volksdagblad een commentaar onder pennaam ‘Zhong Sheng’ dat de eedere boodschappen van Xi en MFA herhaalt en zegt: „De huidige kritieke situatie in het Midden-Oosten bevestigt nogmaals dat de wereld een nieuwe periode van turbulentie en verandering ingaat.”
US Secretary of State Rubio urges China to dissuade Iran from closing Strait of Hormuz – Reuters: ‘“I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that, because they heavily depend on the Straits of Hormuz for their oil,” said Rubio’ 🇺🇸
Mideast distractions won’t shift US’ long-term focus on China, analysts say – SCMP 🇺🇸
American democracy might not survive a war with Iran – The Atlantic: ‘We can no longer trust that any Trump foreign-policy decision will not further illiberal goals abroad or be used for illiberal ends at home.’ 🇺🇸
Chinas Rolle im Nahen Osten: Grafit, Öl und etwas Strategie – Der Spiegel: „ach Recherchen des »Wall Street Journal« gehen mehr als 90 Prozent der iranischen Ölexporte nach China.“ 🇮🇷
National security team monitoring region, President Lai’s office says – Taipei Times 🇹🇼
Wereldhandelsoorlog 📉💥
China and EU trade chiefs discussed trade remedies and better ties, Chinese commerce ministry say – Reuters 🇪🇺
EU bars Chinese firms from most medical device tenders – Reuters: ‘after concluding that EU companies are not given fair access in China.’ 🇪🇺
Chinese factories rush to reduce reliance on Donald Trump’s US – FT: ‘The value of exports to Europe in May climbed 12 per cent from a year earlier, with shipments to Germany up 22 per cent. Exports to south-east Asian countries rose 15 per cent.’
Slick advertising and sports sponsorships help boost Chinese brands’ fortunes in Europe – SCMP 🇪🇺
Brussels resists pressure from EU capitals to shield exports in US trade fight – POLITICO Europe 🇪🇺🇺🇸
Belgische bedrijven slaan barst in Chinees monopolie op kritieke grondstoffen – De Standaard 🇧🇪
China’s rare earth magnet shipments halve in May due to export curbs – Reuters: ‘On a year-on-year basis, May shipments were down 74%.’
China’s sanctions gambit: Formal and informal economic coercion in the second trade war – Swedish National China Centre
Chinese companies set their sights on Brazil – The New York Times 🇧🇷
Techoorlog 💽💥
A US official told top global semiconductor makers from South Korea and Taiwan he wanted to revoke waivers they have used to access American technology in China, people familiar with the matter said – WSJ: ‘People involved in the discussions said revoking the waivers isn’t a done deal.’ 🇺🇸🇰🇷🇹🇼
US may target Samsung 三星, SK Hynix, and TSMC 台積電 operations in China, sources say – Reuters: ‘The chances of the United States withdrawing the authorizations are unclear.’ 🇺🇸🇰🇷🇹🇼
South Korea to raise concerns to US over potential curbs on chipmakers’ China operations – Reuters 🇰🇷🇺🇸
Fearing China’s small car rivals, Stellantis and Renault lobby EU for fewer rules – Reuters 🇪🇺
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
NAVO-landen akkoord met ophogen defensie-uitgaven naar 5 procent – NRC
NAVO-miljarden moeten naar eigen bedrijven, maar de grondstoffen komen uit China – Nieuwsuur: „90 procent van de zeldzame metalen die nodig zijn voor militair materieel wordt eerst in China verwerkt.”
„Teer is kritisch […]: ‘Wat we soms een beetje lijken te vergeten, is dat herbewapening niet alleen gaat om militair technologisch de meest moderne spullen hebben. Het gaat er ook om dat je een brede industriële basis hebt.’”
Japan scraps annual 2+2 US meeting after Washington demands more defence spending – FT 🇯🇵
Japanese government to provide defence equipment to eight countries under Official Security Assistance (OSA) programme – The Yomiuri Shimbun: ‘Thailand, the Philippines and Tonga’ ‘Indonesia, Malaysia, East Timor, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea.’ 🇯🇵
Sign of sovereignty: President Prabowo skips G-7 for Russia, drawing scrutiny over Indonesia’s neutrality – The Straits Times: ‘not a blunt snub to the West, but a clear signal of his assertive and personalised approach to foreign policy, analysts said.’ 🇮🇩
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
Texas governor Greg Abbott signs bill banning Chinese citizens from buying property in the state – SCMP 🇺🇸
China Coast Guard water-cannons Philippine vessels in Scarborough Shoal – Rappler 🇵🇭
South China Sea: China Coast Guard says it used water cannon to expel Philippine vessel from Scarborough Shoal – SCMP 🇵🇭
Singapore leader’s visit gives China chance to pitch itself as reliable partner for Asean – SCMP: ‘It will be Wong’s first trip to China since becoming prime minister in May 2024.’ 🇸🇬
Singapore PM Lawrence Wong 黄循财 to visit China, where he will discuss cooperation to strengthen rules-based order – The Straits Times: ‘“We are in the midst of a very messy and unpredictable transition,” PM Wong said in the interview, aired on the CCTV programme Leaders Talk on June 20.’ 🇸🇬
China’s top political advisor meets Thailand’s National Assembly president – Xinhua 🇹🇭
Chinese coast guard ships seen near Senkaku/Diaoyutai Islands for record-tying 215th straight day – Kyodo News 🇯🇵
CCP delegation visits Japan – Xinhua: ‘Qu, who is also head of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, attended the launch ceremony for the Japanese version of a compilation of excerpts from discourses on Chinese modernization by Chinese President Xi Jinping and a seminar on Chinese solutions to global development.’ 🇯🇵
North Korea-China trade jumps to US$230M in May, bringing yearly total to over US$1B – NK News 🇰🇵
Indian pilgrimages to China’s Xizang [Tibet] resume after 5-year hiatus – Xinhua 🇮🇳
China to supply J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter jets to Pakistan. Are IAF veterans worried? – Hindustan Times 🇮🇳
Forum held to promote cooperation between China and Central Asia news agencies – Xinhua
Xinhua president meets director of Kazakh president’s TV and radio complex – Xinhua 🇰🇿
China and New Zealand should place greater emphasis on cooperation, Xi says – Xinhua 🇳🇿
Senior Chilean lawmaker investigated over actions involving Chinese businessman – SCMP: ‘Prosecutors are now examining whether her actions amount to influence peddling, an allegation she denies.’ 🇨🇱
Chinese bedrijven domineren het Wilde Westen van de Nicaraguaanse goudwinning – BNR 🇳🇮
Routine or rising tensions? Chinese ambassadors in exodus from West African nations – SCMP: ‘Observers said while overseas assignments for Chinese ambassadors were normally three to four years, the exit of several diplomats from the same region was unusual and could be seen as sending a subtle message through a diplomatic realignment in the volatile region.’
China’s Fujian carrier developing ‘Alpha strike’ swarm attack power, CCTV says – SCMP
China economie
China’s movie makers urge cost cuts as expenses climb and audiences shrink – Yicai Global: ‘Movie ticket sales in China have been tumbling for the past five years, plunging 40 percent in 2024 from 2019 to 1.7 billion’
China rolls out official ‘property supermarkets’ to prop up creaking housing market – SCMP
In Depth: China’s mutual funds face fresh overhaul with focus on cutting fees – Caixin Global
News Analysis: Hainan free trade port moves to forefront of China's opening-up drive – Xinhua
China binnenland
Top political advisor Wáng Hùníng 王沪宁 urges CPPCC to increase capacity for research and consultation – Xinhua: ‘He called for efforts to guide religions in adapting to socialist society, and to rally people of all ethnic groups and religious beliefs to strengthen how they identify with the country, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the Party, and socialism with Chinese characteristics.’
Word is bonds: China’s provinces use special-purpose funds to pay debts – SCMP: ‘The allocation from Hunan comes as Beijing redoubles its efforts to ensure governments pay businesses what they owe.’
Rich Chinese cities are suffocating poor ones – The Economist
How is a grass-roots football league scoring economic goals in China’s Jiangsu province? – SCMP
Hong Kong
China’s top official for Hong Kong affairs Xià Bǎolóng 夏宝龙 said the city needs to prioritise national security to ensure prosperity – Bloomberg: ‘He also held discussions with university presidents earlier in the week’
HKSAR government holds forum to commemorate 5th anniversary of national security law in Hong Kong – Xinhua
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
China’s PLA sends scores of planes across central line in Taiwan Strait – AP: ‘74 warplanes toward Taiwan between late Thursday and early Friday, 61 of which crossed the central line in the Taiwan Strait’ 🇨🇳
Chinese coast guard ushered out of waters near Taiwan’s Dongsha/Pratas Island in South China Sea – Focus Taiwan: ‘The CGA said it detected another 111 intrusions into the area by 31 Chinese fishing boats during the same period and seized seven of those vessels.’ 🇨🇳
Taiwanese holds worship ceremony for mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation Fuxi – Xinhua: ‘Wang Jin-pyng, chief ceremony officiant and former leader of Taiwan’s legislature, expressed hope that the ritual would help promote the spirit of Fuxi in Taiwan’ 🇨🇳
Taiwan binnenland en economie
24 KMT lawmakers and suspended Hsinchu Mayor to face recall votes on July 26 – Focus Taiwan: ‘seven others are still pending review.’
Explainer: Mass slate of recall votes leaves KMT staring down disaster – Focus Taiwan
Violence and intimidation against recall vote efforts targeting KMT legislators – Taipei Times
DPP pledges to fully support July recall vote civic groups – Focus Taiwan: ‘To counter the DPP-backed recall efforts, the KMT plans to implement a “regional joint defense” strategy’
‘TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) also urged the public to vote against the recalls’
Taiwan’s president Lai Ching-te 賴清德 (DPP) to launch speaking tour as KMT faces recall pressure – Focus Taiwan: ‘Lai aimed to talk about government measures in response to the volatile geopolitical situation and threats from authoritarian regimes during the tour.’
President Lai refutes PRC’s claims over ‘sovereign’ Taiwan in 1st of 10 speeches – Focus Taiwan: ‘the president's scheduled 10 speeches are aimed at uniting the country in response to the “volatile geopolitical situation and threats from authoritarian regimes.”’ 🇨🇳
Removed repeated signatures not forgeries, CEC says in reply to KMT complaints – Taipei Times
KMT lawmaker for Hsinchu Cheng Cheng-chien 鄭正鈐 faces probe into leaking to China – Taipei Times: ‘Lin also accused the 56-year-old Cheng of instructing the assistant to use his mobile phone to reply to messages from China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO)’ 🇨🇳
DPP legislator Puma Shen 沈伯洋 files a complaint over ‘defamation’ using pro-China media reports – Taipei Times 🇨🇳
Prosecutors launch investigation over ‘interrogation’ audio played by TPP chair Huang Kuo-chang 黃國昌 in committee – Taipei Times
Taiwan seeks national identity boost in classrooms amid China fears – Focus Taiwan: ‘the new initiative goes a step further, intertwining security and the government’s desire to raise awareness of the Chinese with education.’
Taiwan to discuss reactivation of nuclear power plant ahead of referendum – Focus Taiwan
Taiwan central bank says US debt rising too fast may impact trust in Treasuries – Reuters 🇺🇸
Journalism professionals endorse media reform bill – Taipei Times
Court rules marriage void in suit over dead student – Taipei Times