De Chinese Wouden, maandag 3 juni: stevige woorden in Shangri-La, handel EU, Zr.Ms. Tromp
Het afgelopen weekend was de jaarlijkse Shangri-La Dialogue in het gelijknamige hotel in Singapore. Dit is een bijeenkomst georganiseerd door de denktank IISS waarop veiligheidsvraagstukken in de regio besproken worden door aanwezige regeringsleiders, ministers, officieren, denktankers, en academici.
Ook China stuurt zijn minister van defensie. Dat is uitzonderlijk. Het betekent dat er traditioneel duellerende toespraken zijn van de Amerikaanse (eerste schot op zaterdag) en Chinese ministers (reactie op zondag). Ook is er altijd een keynote van regionale leider (aftrap op vrijdagavond). Dit jaar opende de Filipijnse president Marcos met een erg stevige toespraak.
Marcos’ verhaal over de Filipijnen was er een van een land gevestigd op respect voor internationale verdragen en het zeerecht. Hij veroordeelde expliciet agressie en deceptie in de Zuid-Chinese Zee en noemde het belang van de UNCLOS uit 1982 en de uitspraak van het hof in Den Haag uit 2016. Ook bij de vragensessie liet hij duidelijk weten dat een rode lijn zou zijn overschreden als een Filipijnse burger om zou komen (bijv. door een waterkanon).
De Nederlandse defensieminister Ollongren was voor de derde keer aanwezig. De meeste internationale aandacht ging uit naar het plotselinge verschijnen van de Oekraïense president Volodymyr Zelensky in Singapore. Hij sprak ook en hield een persconferentie die opmerkelijk was.
Tot nu toe is Kyiv altijd heel voorzichtig geweest om China niet van zich te vervreemden. Oekraïne lijkt nu echter wat geduld te verliezen. De president beschuldigde Peking ervan Rusland te helpen om landen weg te laten blijven bij de vredesconferentie in Zwitserland. Ook sprak hij over Chinese onderdelen die opduiken op het slagveld.
Ik maak me echter vooral zorgen om de Chinese bijdrages. De Chinese delegatie was actief. Men stelde vragen die meer meningen waren en organiseerde continue briefings tussendoor om te reageren op wat andere landen hadden gezegd. De toon en inhoud stellen mij niet gerust.
De inhoud laat ziet dat Peking graag Azië voor de Aziaten ziet, op Chinese voorwaarden. I.p.v. ‘Indo-Pacific’ sprak men consequent over ‘Asia-Pacific’. Defensieminister Dong begon zijn toespraak met een heel stuk waarin hij sprak names ‘wij’ landen van de Asia-Pacific. ‘Wij’ willen vrede en dulden geen buitenstaanders. Ook gaf hij de schuld aan het breken van het principe van ondeelbare veiligheid voor het ontstaan van de oorlog (d.w.z. NAVO-uitbreiding…) en had harde woorden voor Taiwan en de Zuid-Chinese Zee.
De algehele Chinese toon was onbuigzaam, doof voor de onrust in de regio. De Chinese delegatie kwam met een harde reactie tijdens de vragensessie na de keynote van president Marcos. Tijdens zijn eigen vragensessie ging de Chinese minister Dong volledig over de tijd heen om hard uiteen te zetten over Chinese kernbelangen, daarbij sommige vragen gewoon negerend.
De gepensioneerde ambassadeur Cui Tiankai herhaalde in zijn panelbijdrage naast Ollongren de belegen Chinese klacht over verkeerde perceptie. Maar vragenstellers uit Zuid-Korea, Japan, de Filipijnen hadden hier bij andere sessies al een broertje dood aan. Een Koreaanse expert vroeg minister Dong waarom de Chinese acties niet in lijn zijn met de mooie woorden. Een Japanse expert vroeg hem naar de recente dreigementen van de Chinese ambassadeur in Tokio. Ze kregen geen antwoord.
De Shangri-La Dialogue is altijd een belangrijk moment om de geopolitieke temperatuur in de Indo-Pacific op te nemen. Ik heb niet voor niets zo’n lange reflectie geschreven – terwijl er ook genoeg over de handelsstrubbelingen tussen de EU en China te zeggen valt. In de nieuwsbrief zelf volgen lange citaten uit de nieuwsberichten en toespraken. Het is nuttig om die tot je te nemen.
De indruk die ik meeneem na het afgelopen weekend is eentje van zorg over de manier waarop China blijft escaleren. Peking heeft medestanders in delen van de wereld – maar juist van de onmiddellijke eigen regio is het gescheiden door een onvermogen tot empathie. Het geduld in Peking wordt minder, terwijl men met steeds meer zelfvertrouwen de mantel van ‘wij Aziaten’ op zich neemt. Tot de Amerikaanse verkiezingen in november – eventueel tot de inauguratie in januari – zal Peking nog een beetje rustig aan doen. Maar ga er niet van uit dat het altijd stil blijft.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Nederlands marineschip Zr.Ms. Tromp koos gevoelige route door Straat van Taiwan – NOS: „Vanuit de Vietnamese havenstad Hai Phong is de Tromp nu onderweg naar Zuid-Korea, waar het een dezer dagen zal aanmeren.” 🇳🇱
Dat de Zr.Ms. Evertsen in 2021 niet door de Straat van Taiwan voer, had volgens mij meer te maken met het feit dat ze de Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group door open wateren volgde, dan met angst voor Chinese reacties zoals de NOS suggereert.
Het is vooral in specifieke gevallen met landen op specifieke missies die een speciale politieke betekenis hebben in Peking dat China het als ‘provocatie’ behandelt – we hoeven niet automatisch onze eigen vaarbeweging alvast als zodanig aan te duiden.
‘Ons geopolitiek kompas staat goed afgesteld! Zo laten we écht zien dat #Nederland staat voor internationaal recht en vrije zeevaart. En we niet buigen voor de intimidatie van #China. […]’ – Ruben Brekelmans, Twitter
Minister Ollongren noemde de doorvaart door de Straat tijdens haar bijdrage op de Shangri-La Dialogue.
Beperk afhankelijkheid Europa van Chinese windenergie en elektrolysers – TNO 🇪🇺🇳🇱
Criminele bende achter nepwebshops maakt tienduizenden Nederlandse slachtoffers – RTL Nieuws: „Volgens cybersecuritybedrijf Security Research Labs, dat onderzoek heeft gedaan naar de criminele bende, komt de kern van deze groep uit China.” 🇳🇱
D66-lijsttrekker Gerbrandy: „Te snel ontkoppelen van China is levensgevaarlijk” – BNR: „Wat VVD-kandidaat Lennart Salemink betreft is het zaak om de afhankelijkheid van China nu al te beperken.”
„Dat treft niet alleen de economie, het vormt ook een veiligheidsrisico, onderstreept Dirk Gotink van NSC onderstreept: als straks de helft van Amsterdam rondrijdt in een goedkope Chinese batterijauto, zit de aan- en uitknop waarschijnlijk ergens in Beijing, zoals de Tesla's in Californië aan- en uitgezet kunnen worden.”
„Een relatie met China die gebaseerd is op een gelijk speelveld, eerlijke marktverhoudingen en minder afhankelijkheid, vereist dat Europa als één front optreedt, zegt Thijs Reuten van GroenLinks-PvdA.” 🇳🇱
Commentaar: Koorddansen met China – FD 🇳🇱
Čínská elektroauta jako špionážní zbraň. Snímají data i obličeje a nevíme, kde to mizí, říká šéf Vojenského zpravodajství Beroun – Deník 🇨🇿
Tsjechische geheime dienst noemt het risico op spionage/dataveiligheid rond Chinese elektrische auto’s.
The controversial Chinese firms that will build Georgia’s Black Sea megaproject – RFE/RL: ‘The move came one day after the ruling Georgian Dream party’s May 28 override of a presidential veto that blocked the “foreign agent” bill.’ 🇬🇪
Transcript of EU-China think tank exchange: CCG partners with European Policy Center to navigate EU-China relations amid diverging perceptions – Center for China and Globalization 🇪🇺
De denktank CCG is nauw verweven in de verenigd front-tactieken gericht op Europa.
Rusland 🇷🇺
Exclusive: China says it won’t join Swiss peace conference on Ukraine – Reuters: ‘because it does not meet its expectations, which include both Russia and Ukraine taking part, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday’ 🇨🇭🇺🇦
Chinese trade body seeks drone jammers for Russian buyers – FT: ‘The government-affiliated Guangdong Province Trade Promotion Association for Russia, which was set up last year to help Russian customers buy goods’ 🇷🇺
Ukraine buys another 4,200 DJI 大疆创新 Mavic drones – Army Technology 🇺🇦
China and Saudi Arabia foreign ministers discuss Ukraine crisis – Reuters: ‘The two agreed that holding a Ukraine peace conference should have equal participation of all parties, and fair discussion of various proposals.’ 🇸🇦🇺🇦
China-Russia think tank forum highlights growing cooperation – Xinhua: ‘Over 100 representatives from the governments of the two countries, academia, and relevant institutions participated in this year’s China-Russia High-level Think Tank Forum’ 🇷🇺
US says it could act against China firms and banks over Russian war support – Reuters 🇺🇸
Handelsstrijd 🇪🇺🇨🇳
EU members split sharply over measures to de-risk China economic ties – SCMP: ‘On one side of the divide: a group of countries led by France, […]. On the other: a group of free-traders led by Germany, […].’ 🇪🇺
Brussels Playbook – POLITICO Europe: ‘SCOOP — CHINA FIRES WARNING SHOT: Beijing has sent a five-page letter to EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis calling for a truce in the unfolding trade war, Camille Gijs and yours truly report. A spokesperson for the Commission confirmed to POLITICO that Dombrovskis had received the letter. “We are working on a reply,” the spokesperson added.’ 🇪🇺
‘Many practices in #EU's probe into #EVs are unjustifiable and inconsistent with rules. The accusation against China is untenable. Instead of postponing the decision, @EU_Commission should stop the probe ASAP. #China stands ready to safeguard businesses’ lawful rights&interests.’ – 王鲁彤 Wang Lutong, Twitter 🇪🇺
EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles would likely cost Beijing nearly US$4 billion in trade with the bloc, according to a new analysis – Bloomberg: ‘The study does not take into account potential Chinese retaliatory measures, which should be expected, the [Kiel] institute said.’ 🇪🇺
EU tariffs against China redirect trade of EVs worth almost USD 4 billion – Kiel Institute for the World Economy 🇪🇺
China’s Great Wall Motor 长城汽车 shuts Europe headquarters and fires all staff, sources say – Nikkei Asia: ‘after disappointing electric vehicle sales in the continent’s biggest auto market [Germany], Nikkei Asia has learned.’
News Analysis: Claims of China’s ‘overcapacity’, tactics to justify trade protectionism – Xinhua
‘Bert Hofman @berthofmanecon, professor at the East Asian Institute at National University of Singapore, said claims of China's overcapacity don’t live up to the numbers. #MediaUnlocked’ – China Daily, Twitter
Hoewel het East Asian Institute (EAI) inderdaad organisatorisch is ondergebracht bij NUS, is het autonoom, opgericht door de overheid om beter begrip van Chinese standpunten te krijgen en met Singaporese ministeries als toezicht.
China solar panel glut squeezes European suppliers as prices plunge – Nikkei Asia: ‘Washington has maintained safeguard tariffs to protect its domestic industry, which has lessened the impact of the supply glut compared with Europe.’
China has more countermeasures if US endangers its interests, state media says – Reuters 🇺🇸
Could China’s new export controls on military-related tech and materials backfire? – SCMP: ‘the impact would be limited as the US and its allies have already taken measures to reduce reliance on China’s supply chain’
Transpac ecommerce freighters on pause as US Customs checks every parcel – The Load Star: ‘The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is inspecting every single ecommerce shipment coming from mainland China on freighters’ 🇺🇸
Er waren veel illegale zendingen die door het net gingen.
Euroviews: When it comes to genomics, de-risking with China is not enough – Miriam Lexmann MEP, Juozas Olekas MEP, Bart Groothuis MEP, Reinhard Bütikofer MEP, and Anna Fotyga MEP for Euronews 🇪🇺
France and Germany urge tougher EU checks on biofuel imports in fraud probe – Reuters: ‘The European biodiesel industry has complained of a surge in imports from China which it believes involve supplies declared as made with recycled oil and fat but actually produced with cheaper and less sustainable virgin oil.’ 🇪🇺🇫🇷🇩🇪
Shangri-La Dialogue 🏔️🇸🇬
Deterrence and Reassurance in the Asia-Pacific – IISS 🇳🇱
Asia-Pacific security is vital for Europe too, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says – SCMP: ‘he said the EU would remain “vigilant” about whether Chinese exports of products that have dual military and civilian uses would help Russia get round international sanctions.’ 🇪🇺
Shangri-La Dialogue: Speech by High Representative Josep Borrell on security in the Asia-Pacific region – EEAS 🇪🇺
Terwijl Rusland verwoesting zaait, beschuldigt Zelensky China ervan zijn vredesplan te ondermijnen – Trouw 🇺🇦
Zelenskyy accuses China of helping Russia sabotage peace summit – POLITICO Europe: 🇺🇦
“Russia, using Chinese influence on the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt the peace summit,” Zelenskyy said Sunday during a press conference after delivering an address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
[…]
“We do not expect military support from China. We have never asked them ... But we do not expect China to provide defense support to Russia,” Zelenskyy said. “That is what we discussed with the Chinese leader by phone. He promised me China would stand aside, would not support Russia with weapons. Today, there is intelligence that somehow, some way, some things come to Russia’s markets via China … elements of Russia’s weaponry come from China.”
[…]
Zelenskyy also accused China of refusing to meet with Ukraine. “Many times we have wanted to meet Chinese representatives,” including Xi, he said. “Unfortunately Ukraine does not have any powerful connections with China because China does not want it.”
Zelensky says China working hard to ‘prevent’ countries from attending peace summit – AFP 🇺🇦
Commentary: Zelensky’s surprise visit highlights how security between Europe and Asia-Pacific is interlinked – The Straits Times 🇺🇦
Re-imagining Solutions for Global Peace and Regional Stability – IISS 🇺🇦
Press Conference at IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2024: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President, Ukraine – IISS 🇺🇦
China 🇨🇳
New Chinese defence minister says Taiwan separatists will be ‘crushed to pieces’ and hits out at Philippines at Shangri-La Dialogue – SCMP: ‘In a combative question and answer session after the speech, Dong refused to be drawn on questions about Ukraine’
Asked about Dong’s speech, a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “Every year for three years, a new Chinese defence minister has come to Shangri-La. And every year, they’ve given a speech at complete odds with the reality of the [People’s Liberation Army’s] coercive activity across the region. This year was no different.”
Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific programme at the German Marshall Fund, said there was a “huge gap” between China’s words and its deeds, reflecting a “long-standing problem”.
“[Dong’s] performance here is similar to China’s performance in the international community. No observance of rules, no observance of international law,” Glaser said, pointing to his refusal to answer certain questions.
On China’s major flashpoints, Glaser said Dong’s remark on Taiwan was “very sharp” but there was nothing new on the South China Sea.
China’s Approach to Global Security – IISS:
People in Asia-Pacific are committed to harmony and peace. For thousands of years, countries with different cultures, religions, ethnic groups and social systems have lived in a close community. Exchanges and mutual learning among countries has created a culture of harmonious coexistence. In modern times, most countries in Asia-Pacific suffered from aggression and oppression committed by imperialism and colonialism.
[…] we [sic] place great value on independence, and our people are against any attempt to turn our countries into vassal states or draw us into bloc confrontations. […] We countries in the Asia-Pacific have the ability and confidence to resolve issues in our region. Our people despise those who attempt to bolster themselves by taking orders from hegemonic powers.
[…] we should protect the legitimate security interests of all countries. One of the deep-rooted causes of the ongoing wars and conflicts is that the security concerns of some countries have long been ignored.
[…]
China stays committed to peaceful reunification. However, this prospect is increasingly being eroded by separatists for Taiwan independence and foreign forces. The danger of national division is still there. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army will remain a strong force for upholding national reunification. We will take resolute actions to curb Taiwan independence and make sure such a plot never succeeds. Anyone who dares to separate Taiwan from China will only end up in self-destruction.
[…]
[…] Thanks to concerted efforts made by countries in the region, the South China Sea has seen overall stability. However, a certain country, emboldened by outside powers, has broken bilateral agreements and its own promises, made premeditated provocations and created false scenarios to mislead the public. […] China has exercised great restraint in the face of such infringements and provocations, but there is a limit to our restraint.
[…]
Taiwan’s MAC condemns China threats at forum – Taipei Times: ‘said that Beijing distorted the position of the Taiwanese government at the conference, and has been using political means to prevent Taiwan from sending representatives to speak at the forum.’
A tale of dialogues at the Shangri-La: Getting the Chinese message across in various ways – The Straits Times: ‘No other delegation has briefed as many reporters as frequently as the Chinese.’
Filipijnen 🇵🇭
Philippines’ President Marcos slams ‘illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions’ in South China Sea – Reuters: ‘Speaking at the opening of the Shangri-La Dialogue defence summit in Singapore’
‘“If a Filipino citizen was killed by a wilful act, that is very close to what we define as an act of war,” Marcos replied. ”We would have crossed the Rubicon. Is that a red line? Almost certainly.”’ 🇵🇭
President of the Philippines Ferdinand R Marcos, Jr delivers Keynote Address – IISS: 🇵🇭
Our efforts stand in stark contrast to assertive actors who aim to propagate excessive and baseless claims through force, intimidation and deception. In the West Philippine Sea, we are on the front lines of efforts to assert the integrity of the UNCLOS as a ‘constitution’ of the oceans. […] We have on our side the 1982 UNCLOS and the binding 2016 arbitral award, which affirms what is ours by legal right.
[…]
the future of our region will be determined by many nations, each with its own unique experiences and aspirations. Yet their respective agencies are being challenged by attempts to undermine our faith in prevailing international norms.
[…]
We must reject unjust narratives that seek to subsume distinct national interest in a so-called major-country dynamic which seeks to impose a hierarchy amongst nations. […] Any state that professes a stake in the continued peace and stability of this region must respect ASEAN’s centrality, not only with words but with action.
[…]
We need to begin by resoundingly rejecting misguided interpretations that paint our region as a mere theatre of geopolitical rivalries. We are not mere bystanders to unfolding world events. We are the actors that drive those events. We are the main characters in our collective story. We are the owners of the narratives of our regional community. Thus, we reject any attempt to deny strategic agencies, especially by force, that seek to subordinate our interest to anyone else’s.
[…] By virtue of geographic proximity and the presence of Filipinos in Taiwan, we have a legitimate interest in cross-strait issues.
‘China has not and will never bully smaller countries, but it will not allow certain countries to take advantage of their smaller size to play the role of victim and act wildly, said Lieutenant General He Lei on Fri in response to Philippine President Marcos Jr's comments.’ – The Global Times, Twitter
Verenigde Staten 🇺🇸
United States’ Strategic Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific – IISS 🇺🇸
Shangri-La Dialogue: US defence chief pushes ‘new convergence’ in Indo-Pacific while pledging more talks with China – SCMP: ‘According to Austin, while Washington’s security approach in the region previously resembled a “hub and spokes model” – with the US at the centre – it now took the form of a “set of overlapping and complementary initiatives and institutions” driven by a shared vision and “shared sense of mutual obligation”.’ 🇺🇸
United States’ Strategic Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific – IISS 🇺🇸
Austin disputes China’s claim of NATO expansion triggering Ukraine war – Nikkei Asia: ‘A senior colonel from China, Cao Yanzhong, asked Austin if the U.S. was planning to build an alliance in the Asia-Pacific akin to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, noting that the enlarged NATO had led to the Ukraine crisis.’ 🇺🇸🇺🇦
Shangri-La Dialogue: China will ‘never be soft’ on foreign interference, PLA official warns – SCMP: ‘suggesting that there would be more military exercises around Taiwan to come.’ 🇺🇸🇹🇼
China and US defence chiefs spar over Taiwan at Singapore meeting – Nikkei Asia 🇺🇸
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting With People's Republic of China (PRC) Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun – US Department of Defense: ‘The Secretary expressed concern about recent provocative PLA activity around the Taiwan Strait, and he reiterated that the PRC should not use Taiwan's political transition — part of a normal, routine democratic process — as a pretext for coercive measures.’ 🇺🇸
China-US relations: defence ministers Dong and Austin hold ‘positive, practical and constructive’ meeting, says Beijing – SCMP 🇺🇸
overige
Japan and China defence chiefs meet to discuss ‘many concerns’; First meeting between current chiefs – The Yomiuri Shimbun 🇯🇵
Australia seeks military talks with China, ties with Philippines – Reuters 🇦🇺
Canada raised foreign interference concerns with China, defence minister says – Reuters 🇨🇦
Conflicts in Europe and Middle East must not be repeated in Asia, Singapore defence minister Ng Eng Hen 黄永宏 says – The Straits Times 🇸🇬
Tech War 💽💥
Commission designates Temu as Very Large Online Platform under the Digital Services Act –European Commission 🇪🇺
Taiwan accuses Chinese Apple supplier Luxshare 立訊 of operating illegally and trying to poach tech talent – Reuters: ‘as one of eight Chinese companies’
China’s tech stocks are on course to enter into a technical correction – Bloomberg: ‘as profit-taking and renewed geopolitical uncertainties weighed on sentiment.’
ByteDance’s 字节跳动 TikTok puts on hold plans to launch its fast-growing e-commerce business across major European markets, focusing instead on the US – Bloomberg: ‘reflects ByteDance’s objective of entrenching itself in the US as a way to prove its value to domestic merchants and consumers.’ 🇪🇺
Saudi fund backs prominent Chinese generative AI start-up Zhipu 智谱 – FT 🇸🇦
Jensen Huang in Taiwan hints Nvidia is aiming for new AI chip every year – Nikkei Asia 🇺🇸
If the US keeps trying to out-China China, it's likely to lose their superpower rivalry – Minxin Pei for Bloomberg 🇺🇸
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
China vecht op ‘nieuw slagveld’: het Afrikaanse medialandschap – BNR
US, Japan, and South Korea to form permanent secretariat to align policies – Nikkei Asia 🇺🇸🇯🇵🇰🇷
OpenAI says it disrupted Chinese, Russian, Israeli, and Iranian influence campaigns – Al Jazeera 🇨🇳🇷🇺🇮🇱🇮🇷
F-35 fighter jets and drones among next-gen capabilities to feature in future Five Power Defence exercises – The Straits Times 🇸🇬🇲🇾🇬🇧🇦🇺🇳🇿
China food security law comes into force, aims for absolute self-sufficiency in staple grains – Reuters
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
China and Tunisia establish strategic partnership – Xinhua: ‘China supports Tunisia in pursuing a development path that suits its own national conditions, independently advancing the reform process, and keeping its future firmly in its own hands, Xi said.’ 🇹🇳
China says Philippine personnel pointed guns at Chinese coast guard in disputed waters – Reuters 🇵🇭
Xi and Malaysia’s king exchange congratulations on 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties – Xinhua 🇲🇾
Commentary: Malaysia and China mark an important milestone in diplomatic ties – James Chin for CNA 🇲🇾
Thai navy expects delivery of first Chinese submarine in next three years – Thai PBS 🇹🇭
China and 5 Central Asian nations establish emergency management cooperation mechanism – PRC State Council
Iran’s foreign ministry summons Chinese ambassador in Tehran over Gulf Islands in China-UAE statement – Reuters 🇮🇷🇦🇪
Terrorism and economy expected to top agenda at China-Pakistan talks as security concerns cloud belt and road – SCMP 🇵🇰
Pakistan and China set to reinvigorate economic corridor project connecting Xinjiang to Gwadar – The Straits Times 🇵🇰
‘China Ambassador to Nepal Song involved in an online brawl with Nepal Journalist Gajendra over story on China.’ – Sidhant Sibal, Twitter 🇳🇵
Chinese vice foreign minister Mǎ Zhāoxù 马朝旭 urged US to stop 'smearing' China, Beijing says – Reuters 🇺🇸
China state firms targeted by US lawmakers for allegedly helping Iran – Nikkei Asia 🇺🇸🇮🇷
US lawmakers ask FBI for briefing on GenScript Biotech’s links to China - Reuters 🇺🇸
Xinhua Commentary: World needs to stand up against evil US law on ‘forced labour’ – Xinhua 🇺🇸
China hands over the keys to the railway as African countries take control of 2 major belt and road projects – SCMP: ‘Observers added that knowledge transfer remains “partial” so as not to give away too much and jeopardise future projects.’
China economie
China’s factory activity shrinks in May amid uneven economic recovery – SCMP
China’s new home prices inch up for 9th month in May, survey shows – Reuters
China’s 60 million homes are hard to sell even in big cities – Bloomberg: ‘The oversupply is dragging down prices at the fastest rate in a decade, giving people less reason to buy a home. The situation is worst in the capital city.’
Megaboete voor Evergrande 恒大 – NRC
China’s market regulator vowed to press ahead with a probe into ‘intermediary agencies’ involved in an alleged fraud by Evergrande 恒大 – Bloomberg
China binnenland
Chinese ruimtemissie Chang'e-6 geland op de achterzijde van de maan – de Volkskrant
Xi’s article on new quality productive forces to be published – Xinhua
Beijing City dismisses vice mayor Gāo Pēng 高朋 investigated for graft – Caixin Global
Xi Story: Illuminating the future of every child – Xinhua: ‘The bond between Xi and the pupils serves as a prime example of the benefits derived from China’s implementation of “paired-up assistance” between its eastern and western regions.’
Hong Kong
Spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the EU Speaks on a Question Concerning the European External Action Service’s Statement on Hong Kong-related Issues – Mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Union 🇪🇺
US imposes visa restrictions on Chinese and Hong Kong officials, State Department says – Reuters: ‘over guilty verdicts in the National Security Law trial of pro-democracy organizers in Hong Kong’ 🇺🇸
‘We refuse to disappear’: the Hong Kong 47 facing life in jail after crackdown – The Observer
Hong Kong newspaper Christian Times runs blank front page ahead of Tiananmen anniversary – AFP
Why Hongkongers must judge for themselves whether their speech, publication may be considered seditious under new domestic security law – Alibaba’s SCMP
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
China suspends tariff concessions on 134 items under Taiwan trade deal – Reuters 🇨🇳
Chinese mainland to halt tariff cuts on Taiwan imports – Xinhua 🇨🇳
Taiwan protests after China announces more tariff cut suspensions – Focus Taiwan 🇨🇳
Taiwan to counter China’s economic coercion after tariff cut suspension with support measures – Focus Taiwan 🇨🇳
China’s tariff cut suspensions to have limited impact, Formosa Petrochemical Corp says – Taipei Times 🇨🇳
Taiwan’s Coast Guard expels two PLA vessels around Kinmen – Focus Taiwan: ‘supply ships with hull numbers “KD161” and “KD162,” built with the structural integrity of landing crafts.’ 🇨🇳
Chinese drone user drops leaflets on Taiwanese outlet in ‘anti-independence protest’ – SCMP 🇨🇳
President Lai vows cross-Strait tourism based on equality and dignity – Taipei Times 🇨🇳
Over 75% Taiwanese support President Lai’s cross-Strait approach, according to government survey – Focus Taiwan 🇨🇳
Taiwanese fans call out local celebs for their pro-China statements, accuse them of ‘selling out’ – The Straits Times: ‘Taiwanese entertainers have faced political pressure in China to make such statements for years’ 🇨🇳
Army to hold anti-landing drills this month – Taipei Times
Taiwan launches newest 600-ton coast guard vessel Yong Kang – Focus Taiwan
Taiwan binnenland en economie
KMT again skips committee review to advance bill as part of efforts to raise recall vote barriers – New Bloom
De kritiek op de lage vereisten voor burgerinitiatieven waarmee kiezers parlementsleden en burgemeesters kunnen ontslaan leeft al langer en breder. Maar, dat de KMT dit nú doet en weer op déze manier valt wel op, zo kort na de protesten tegen hun powergrab.
The KMT proposes changes to bill on ill-gotten assets – Taipei Times: ‘would add provisions on party-affiliated organizations.’
De KMT was eens de rijkste politieke partij in de wereld, dankzij de miljarden die de partij en de door de partij gecontroleerde organisaties konden stelen van de staat of afdwingen van de bevolking tijdens de dictatuur. De Ill-Gotten Party Assets Settlement Commission (CIPAS) en onderliggende wetgeving heeft hier sinds 2016 een einde aan gemaakt, maar nog niet alle gevallen en rechtszaken zijn uitbehandeld.
Premier Cho promises to pursue reconciliation between parties in first address to legislature – Tapei Times: ‘while vowing to return a set of controversial bills for reconsideration if experts conclude they would be difficult to execute.’
Send bills back to legislature, over 200 lawyers say – Taipei Times
Taiwan’s protesters are against ‘check-but-imbalance’ and legislative overreach – Austin Horng-En Wang, Charles K. S. Wu, Yao-Yuan Yeh, and Fang-Yu Chen for The Diplomat
Chou Hung-hsien 周弘憲 (DPP) nominated for Examination Yuan president – Focus Taiwan
Education minister to hit brakes on the Bilingual 2030 policy – Taipei Times