De Chinese Wouden, vrijdag 12 juli: NAVO-top, handel
De meest interessante sectie vandaag is die over de NAVO-top. Het debat wordt al best ver gevoerd internationaal. Maar wat betreft EU-China handel zijn er ook wel ontwikkelingen.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Chinese mode-app Shein 希音 misleidt klanten met valse beloftes van ‘gratis cadeaus’ – Follow the Money: „Volgens experts handelt Shein in strijd met het consumentenrecht en riskeert het miljardenboetes wegens het schenden van de Europese regels voor grote techbedrijven.” 🇪🇺
Huawei 华为 soll weitgehend aus 5G-Netz entfernt werden – Tagesschau: „Das 5G-Mobilfunk-Netz soll nach einer Übergangsphase bald weitgehend ohne chinesische Komponenten auskommen.“ 🇩🇪
Germany goes soft on China, dragging out Huawei 华为 ban until 2029 – POLITICO Europe: ‘pushed back the effective dates further than expected.’ 🇩🇪
China taps its envoy to Israel Cài Rùn 蔡润 as new European Union ambassador – SCMP: ‘Between 2015 and 2020, he was China’s envoy to Portugal and, between various stints in Beijing, spent several years as a minister counsellor at the country’s embassy in the United States.’ 🇪🇺
Spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the EU Speaks on a Question Concerning the Statement of EEAS Spokesperson on the South China Sea Arbitration Award – Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union 🇪🇺
Russian and Chinese hackers targeted Czech cyberinfrastructure, report says – Euractiv 🇨🇿
Outgoing EU envoy Filip Grzegorzewski awarded medal for advancing Taiwan-EU ties – Focus Taiwan 🇪🇺
Elektrische auto’s 🚗⚡️
China is investigating whether the EU’s recent tariffs and actions constitute a barrier to free trade – Bloomberg: ‘The Ministry of Commerce launched the probe after receiving a request from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, it said in a Wednesday statement.
The process will cover actions taken against Chinese industries including trains, photovoltaic products, wind power and security equipment, per the chamber’s request. It should be completed by Jan. 10, with a possible extension till mid-April.’ 🇪🇺
China launches probe into EU practices in foreign subsidy investigations – Xinhua: ‘While the investigation is set to conclude by January 10, 2025, it could be extended to April 10 under special circumstances, according to the ministry.’ 🇪🇺
De verklaring van MOFCOM spreekt van acties onder de Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) van de EU, dus dit onderzoek betreft niet de maatregelen tegen elektrische auto’s uit China onder een andere Richtlijn.
EU investigating Chinese wind-turbine companies in Germany for state subsidies – SCMP: ‘Brussels launched a preliminary inquiry in April into […] unnamed Chinese wind-turbine operators in Spain, Greece, France, Romania and Bulgaria. Subsequently, wind developers and turbine manufacturers came forward with new information, tipping the commission off to “potential distortions in the development of wind projects in other member states, including in Germany”, a spokeswoman said.’ 🇪🇺🇩🇪
China achieves 32% sales growth in NEV for first half of 2024 – CGTN
Chinese lithium majors sink into red despite EV growth – Nikkei Asia
German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Grünen) says he wants to prevent China from gaining control over wind-turbine data – Bloomberg 🇩🇪
Chinese listed steelmakers flag losses at home, raising export urgency – Nikkei Asia
US targets Chinese steel exports with tariffs on shipments via Mexico – FT 🇺🇸
Tech War 💽💥
Chinese social media sensation Xiaohongshu 小红书 wins major foreign VC backing – FT
BHP to suspend nickel operations in Western Australia – Nikkei Asia: ‘due to a global oversupply that has crashed nickel prices over the past year. The glut has been driven by a surge in production from Indonesia, where many operations are bankrolled by Chinese investors.’ 🇦🇺
Zambia says China’s JCHX will invest US$300 mln in Lubambe copper mine – Reuters 🇿🇲
DRAM-maker Nanya Technology 南亞科技 narrows losses on rising chip prices – Taipei Times
China leads the world in adoption of generative AI, survey shows – Reuters
Interview: R&D, industry, and culture musts for an AI Taiwan, NSTC head says – Focus Taiwan: ‘Asked whether using ChatGPT qualifies as a building block in this culture, Wu had his reservations.’
NAVO-top 🏔️🇺🇸
Harde woorden voor Rusland en China op NAVO-top in Washington – NRC: „De Chinese steun voor Rusland is ‘beslissend’, en dat kan niet zonder gevolgen blijven, stelt het bondgenootschap.”
Navo-bondgenoten halen uit naar China wegens ‘grootschalige ondersteuning van Russische defensie-industrie’ – de Volkskrant
NATO leaders call China ‘decisive enabler’ of Russia’s war on Ukraine – Kyodo News: ‘Using much stronger language about China than in past NATO statements, the leaders urged Beijing to cease all material and political assistance for Russia’s war effort.’
NATO allies are discussing reclaiming some Chinese-owned infrastructure in Europe should a wider conflict with Russia break out in the east of the continent – CNN: ‘A NATO official said that if a war erupted, the infrastructure “would almost certainly be nationalized, or nations would temporarily assume operating control, under emergency security measures. China can sue them in court after the fact.”’
US, Canada, and Finland launch effort to build ice-breaking ships as China and Russia cooperate in Arctic – Reuters: ‘the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort or ICE pact, is being unveiled on Thursday on the sidelines of a three-day NATO summit in Washington’
NATO Summit: Press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell upon arrival – EU EEAS: ‘We have to look at a strategic continuum between Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific, because China is supporting Russia in the name of this “Unlimited Friendship”. [Democratic People’s Republic of] Korea (DPRK) is one of the most important suppliers of war material to Russia.’ 🇪🇺
Hungary will not support NATO becoming ‘anti-China’ bloc, foreign minister says – Reuters 🇭🇺
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warns NATO of threats from Russia and China in Africa – Bloomberg 🇮🇹
China says NATO statements about its role in Russia-Ukraine conflict are ‘malicious’ – Reuters: ‘“We urge NATO to reflect on the root cause of the crisis and what it has done, and take concrete action to de-escalate rather than shift blame,” Lin added.’
Spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the EU Speaks on a Question Concerning the China-related Content in the NATO Washington Summit Declaration – Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union: ‘China’s position on Ukraine is open and aboveboard. We aim to promote peace talks and seek political settlement. This position is endorsed and commended by the broader global community.’
‘The Asia-Pacific is a high ground of peaceful development, rather than a playground for geopolitical games. Can't see why @NATO is focusing on connectivity between Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security. Especially for the Europeans, just to please the #UnitedStates? #NATOSummit’ – 王鲁彤 Wang Lutong, Twitter 🇪🇺
China warns Nato with army drills on alliance’s doorstep in Belarus near Polish border – AFP: ‘analysts believe that Beijing wanted to send the alliance a warning message with the timing of the drills.’ 🇧🇾
US and Germany foiled Russian plot to assassinate CEO of arms manufacturer Rheinmetall – CNN: ‘The plot was one of a series of Russian plans to assassinate defense industry executives across Europe who were supporting Ukraine’s war effort, these sources said.’
South Korea ramps up defence exports to Europe, eyeing Ukraine war – Nikkei Asia: ‘Romania is a member of NATO. Other members including Poland, Norway, Finland and Estonia also have decided to adopt K9s.’ 🇰🇷🇪🇺
Japan and South Korea leaders agree North Korea-Russia ties as serious threat – Kyodo News 🇯🇵🇰🇷
In countering China, Indo-Pacific countries rely less on US: Pentagon official for region – SCMP: ‘increasingly pursue initiatives to counter threats they see in China on their own, American and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation officials said’
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
Most people in 35 countries say China has a large impact on their national economy – Pew Research Center: ‘In most of the middle-income countries included in the survey, people tend to view China’s economic influence as a good thing.’
World civilisations forum opens in China’s Nishan – Xinhua: ‘It will also host a Sino-Italian classical civilizations dialogue.’
Russia woos Global South in push for new world order – Nikkei Asia 🇷🇺
Weekend 🏖️📚
Longreads en achtergrond
Kijktip: Zomergasten met Garrie van Pinksteren – Villamedia: „Sinoloog en China-correspondent Garrie van Pinxteren is op 11 augustus de vierde VPRO Zomergast.”
Chinese people are blaming inequality in the economic system for diminishing their chances at amassing wealth – Bloomberg: ‘That’s a dramatic shift from the decade prior to 2015 when ability and talent was the most popular response.’
Is it me or the economic system? Changing evaluations of inequality in China – Big Data China
What China means when it says ‘peace’: From Ukraine to Gaza, China sees a chance to promote an ultra-realist worldview – The Economist’s Chaguan
China is using archaeology as a weapon – The Economist
Recepten voor Taiwanese zelfbeschikking: Wie is er bang voor bubbelthee? – De Groene Amsterdammer
Podcasts
The Third Plenum and debates about China’s economy, with Kristin Shi-Kupfer and Katja Drinhausen – MERICS China Podcast 🍎
Preference Falsification and Regime Stability – CSIS Pekingology Jude Blanchette with Rory Truex 🍎
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
Zuid-Chinese Zee
Chinese carrier passes close to Philippines on way to Pacific drills, Taiwan says – Reuters 🇵🇭🇹🇼
36 PLA aircraft fly near Taiwan, headed to Western Pacific, defence ministry says – Focus Taiwan 🇵🇭🇹🇼
China’s coast guard says ‘allowed’ Philippines to evacuate sick person in South China Sea – Reuters 🇵🇭
China says Scarborough Shoal waters ‘excellent’, dismisses Philippine concerns – Reuters 🇵🇭
Philippine senate probes mayor’s alleged ties to Chinese crime — and her citizenship – Reuters: ‘The investigation began after a police raid revealed a scam centre operating out of a facility built on land partially owned by Guo.’ ‘The National Bureau of Investigation said Guo's fingerprints matched those of a Chinese national who entered the country as a teenager.’ 🇵🇭
In de slag om de Zuid-Chinese Zee zet China ‘het Monster’ in – de Volkskrant
overige
Japan destroyer sailed into China territorial waters despite warnings – Kyodo News: ‘off the country’s eastern province of Zhejiang last week’ ‘on a mission to monitor [a PLA] live-fire drill’ ‘Tokyo […] citing the right to innocent passage.’ 🇯🇵
US Multiple Chinese warships spotted near Alaska, US Coast Guard says – CBS News: ‘All four ships “operated in accordance with international rules and norms,” according to Rear Admiral Megan Dean, the Coast Guard district commander.’ ‘the Chinese vessels said that they were in the area for “freedom of navigation operations,” Dean said.’ 🇺🇸
Chinese navy destroyer and helicopter shadowed Australian warship during high-profile standoff, documents show – The Guardian 🇦🇺
China’s outgoing ambassador to South Korea Xíng Hǎimíng 邢海明 leaves sour legacy – Nikkei Asia: ‘a tumultuous tenure characterized by frequent comments seen as undiplomatic, blunt and even aggressive’ 🇰🇷
China and Bangladesh pledge to fight external interference and boost economic cooperation – SCMP: ‘Hasina also reassured Xi over Taiwan’ 🇧🇩
Xi meets Bangladeshi PM, bilateral ties elevated – Xinhua: ‘to a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.’
‘Bangladesh firmly abides by the one-China principle, supports China’s position on the Taiwan question, resolutely opposes external interference in China’s internal affairs and firmly supports China in safeguarding its core interests, Hasina said.’ 🇧🇩🇹🇼
Chinese and Guinea-Bissau presidents hold talks, elevate ties – Xinhua: ‘to a strategic partnership.’
‘Embalo said Guinea-Bissau will continue to stand firmly with China, uphold the one-China principle and support China’s position on its core interests such as the Taiwan question.’ 🇬🇼🇹🇼
India seizes Pakistan-bound consignment of banned chemicals from China – PTI: ‘consisting of internationally banned chemicals used for tear gas and riot control agents’ 🇮🇳🇵🇰
China-UAE joint air force training exercise opens in Xinjiang – Xinhua 🇦🇪
Satellite images suggest China has been practising for strikes on US jets – SCMP: ‘The images, taken by Google Earth on May 29, feature a model aircraft carrier and more than 20 replicas of jets resembling US stealth fighters.’ ‘in the deserts of Xinjiang’ 🇺🇸
China repatriates Red Notice fugitive to US – Xinhua: ‘This repatriation is part of ongoing practical cooperation between law enforcement agencies of the two countries, as per the consensus [sic] reached by their heads of state at their meeting in San Francisco, said the Ministry of Public Security.’ 🇺🇸
China economie
China plays down hopes for ‘strong medicine’ at top economic policy meeting – FT: ‘the main focus will be continuity as Beijing tries to transition from a debt-fuelled, high-growth economic model driven by real estate and infrastructure to one marked by investment in high-tech industries and the green transition.’
China plenum to deliver policy agenda hindered by conflicting goals – Reuters: ‘will outline efforts to promote advanced manufacturing, revise the tax system to curb debt risks, manage a vast property crisis, boost domestic consumption and revitalise the private sector, policy advisers say.’
Premier faces China’s economic issues square on in meeting as inflation adds to pressures – SCMP: ‘Li and other top leaders have tipped stable growth in the first half of the year and said that the around 5 per cent annual growth objective was attainable.’
‘But I don't think they're yet analyzing the situation candidly and facing the real problems affecting the economy. If they were, they wouldn't be trying to double down on the idea that more supply-side support will eventually resolve China's demand-side problem.’ – Michael Pettis, Twitter
Kwakkeleconomie knaagt aan marktwaarde van China’s populaire volksdrank – FD
China’s weak y-o-y consumer inflation points to ‘very limited’ domestic demand recovery – SCMP: ‘On a month-on-month basis, China’s CPI in June remained negative after falling by 0.2 per cent following a 0.1 per cent decrease in May, according to the NBS.’
China’s exports seen rising more quickly in June amid fresh tariff fears, according to Reuters poll – Reuters
Xinhua Headlines: China ramps up opening up efforts to attract foreign firms – Xinhua
Property developer China Vanke 万科 ‘deeply apologises’ for CN¥9bn [€1.1bn] loss – Nikkei Asia
China’s financial sector jobs seen losing their lustre as salaries tumble amid crackdown – SCMP
China dials up scrutiny of Big Four audit firms – Reuters: ‘the ministry is particularly interested in audits of small and weak lenders from debt-laden Chinese provinces.’
PwC is cutting staff across its China operations, sources say, after an exodus of corporate clients diminished the accounting firm’s revenue prospects in the country – Bloomberg
Hong Kong regulator partially clears PwC of malpractice claim in Evergrande 恒大’s fraud case – SCMP
China’s financial regulator has asked some banks to dial back bond risk, sources say – Bloomberg
China binnenland
China’s military commits to full ‘rectification’ in corruption investigations’ wake – SCMP: ‘This process, it said using a rarely used phrase, would include “rectification of the mind, personnel appointments, organisation, working style and discipline”.’
Was fallen Chinese defence minister Wèi Fènghé 魏凤和 compromised by hostile force? – SCMP: ‘Wei was the only one described as “zhongcheng shi jie” or “ being disloyal and losing one’s chastity”. The hard-to-translate phrase “shi jie” has its origins in Chinese history, where it was used to describe the moral degradation of the scholar-gentry who formed the ruling class.’
‘China watchers familiar with the Communist Party’s history note that it has used the phrase as a euphemism for betraying the party and being compromised by a hostile force.’
忠诚失节 zhōngchéng shī jié
China’s costly metro security is straining resources to get economic engine back on track – SCMP
East China’s Suzhou latest local government to join ‘tighten belts’ call as Beijing leads austerity drive – SCMP
Launch of rocket from Chinese private firm i-Space fails – Reuters
China bouwt de meeste wind- en zonneparken. Maar het heeft óók de meeste kolencentrales in aanbouw – NRC
China coal generation share at record low in May as renewables hit new highs, analysis shows – AFP
Torrential rain in China’s megacity Chongqing kills six – Reuters
Hong Kong and Macao
Hong Kong activist Tam Tak-chi 譚得志 advances appeal bid against sedition conviction – HKFP
Several Macau government websites hacked, says Chinese state media – Reuters
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
Presidential visit to diplomatic allies and stopover in US in the works, Taiwanese foreign ministry says – Focus Taiwan: ‘He did not elaborate on a possible date.’ 🇺🇸
New AIT director Raymond Greene, de facto American ambassador, pledges continued support for Taiwan’s self-defence – Focus Taiwan 🇺🇸
China’s Shandong carrier trains near Taiwan as US, allies stage Rimpac drill – SCMP 🇨🇳
China sent a record number of warplanes across a US-drawn boundary in the Taiwan Strait – Bloomberg 🇨🇳
4 Chinese coast guard vessels enter restricted waters around Kinmen – Focus Taiwan: ‘from four different points’ 🇨🇳
Taiwan foreign minister steps up economic diplomacy under China pressure – Nikkei Asia: ‘Opening a window on the strategy of Lai’s team, a senior official told Nikkei Asia: “We are planning to set up industrial zones in Japan, the Czech Republic and one of the New Southbound countries, probably the Philippines, Vietnam or Thailand.”’
Taiwan to strengthen civil defence to prepare against China threat – FT: ‘The reform agenda includes proposals to boost civil defence manpower, build up food and energy stockpiles and emergency medical capacity and strengthen communication infrastructure, according to several government officials familiar with the discussions.’
Digital ministry touts low-orbit satellite signal progress – Taipei Times
Taiwan binnenland en economie
Constitutional Court weighs injunction on oversight law amendments – Focus Taiwan
Q&A: Oversight law row heads to Constitutional Court – Focus Taiwan
Court orders detention of ex-vice premier Cheng Wen-tsan 鄭文燦 (DPP) over corruption allegations – Focus Taiwan: ‘after prosecutors appealed its bail ruling twice.’
‘After the ruling, the Democratic Progressive Party’s Anti Corruption Committee announced that Cheng’s party membership will be suspended for three years starting Friday.’
Revisions of nuclear power regulations make no headway at Legislature – Focus Taiwan
Minister urges legislature not to raise grain prices – Taipei Times
Minister criticises KMT rental bill – Taipei Times