De Chinese Wouden, vrijdag 13 oktober: Borrell in China, China bevestigd doden in Israël
Weinig commentaar vandaag. De Europese hoge vertegenwoordiger voor buitenlandbeleid Josep Borrell is aangekomen in China. Ik ben te vroeg om zijn ontmoetingen al mee te krijgen. Wel is er een interview in de SCMP, waarin hij China oproept om Europa serieus te nemen.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
China’s wind industry is the country’s latest clean energy sector to see its success draw the attention of foreign trade officials – Bloomberg: ‘Any EU measures to constrain Chinese companies are unlikely to shake things up in the near term, given China’s low penetration of its market.’ 🇪🇺
Moeten we bang zijn van Chinese windturbines? – De Standaard
Serbia relies on China for weapons as tensions with Kosovo rise – Nikkei Asia: ‘Serbia and China also recently announced a second round of joint police patrols in cities in the Balkan state’ 🇷🇸🇽🇰
Chinese vice premier Dīng Xuēxiáng 丁薛祥 meets chair of Volkswagen’s board of management Oliver Blume – Xinhua 🇩🇪
EU seeks more collaboration with Taiwan through new Chips Act, EU official’s message tells 2023 EU Investment Forum – Focus Taiwan 🇪🇺
Investing in Europe promotes Taiwan’s economic security, EU envoy tells investment forum – Focus Taiwan 🇪🇺
‘The ancient Silk Road didn't just boost trade between different countries: more importantly, it brought an exchange of cultures, says Tineke van Gils, one of the best-known #Dutch ceramic artists. She hopes the #NewSilkRoad will go the same way. #BRI’ – Mission of China to the EU, Twitter 🇳🇱
Josep Borrell in China 🇪🇺🇨🇳
Media Advisory: High Representative/Vice-President Borrell travels to China to co-chair Strategic Dialogue – Delegation of the European Union to the People’s Republic of China
It is time China started taking Europe more seriously, says EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell – SCMP: ‘Josep Borrell said China should stop viewing its relationship with Europe through the lens of its rivalry with the United States, adding that the bloc’s more sober judgments on Beijing are made entirely independently.’
‘Russia’s war in Ukraine is also on the agenda, with Borrell saying the EU is “not totally convinced” that China is a neutral party.’
‘“We are concerned by our trade imbalances, which are rapidly growing. Our massive trade deficit with China cannot be the mere product of a competitive disadvantage between the EU and China. It has to do with persistent market access problems encountered by European firms in China,” said Borrell.’
Transcript: EU top diplomat Borrell talks Russia, Taiwan, and de-risking – SCMP:
My first objective is to reaffirm to my Chinese interlocutors that Europe takes China seriously and has no hidden agenda aiming at derailing its rise. At the same time, we expect from China to take us more seriously and stop looking at us through the lens of its relations with others.
[…]
My second objective is related to our economic bilateral relations. We are concerned by our trade imbalances
[…]
My third objective is to say that in a conflictual interdependent world there is still space for cooperation on issues in which decoupling is impossible such as climate change.[…]
I also know the complex nature of Sino-Russian relations and the deep historical mistrust that exists between both countries. After all, Russia took a significant part of Chinese territory in the 19th century.
Moreover, China has no interest in endorsing the Russian view. Russia is telling China that they are fighting the same enemy, which is the Western world. In doing so, they are themselves developing a new cold war narrative and trying to pull China on their side because they feel isolated and weakened. However, is it not in the interest of China to endorse the Russian position because this will not only increase mistrust between China and Europe but also solidify the transatlantic alliance.
[…]
the level of dependence is extremely high in a few – but crucially important – materials, including in elements needed for the green transition. In this case, diversification of supply should be considered a matter of basic economic reasoning. China has followed this same logic in the last decade.
[…]
The EU remains fully committed to its one-China policy which is based on six principles: no recognition of Taiwan as an independent state; no to intimidation, coercion and provocation from any side; no to use of force; yes to bilateral ties with Taiwan, which do not imply any kind of political recognition as an independent country; yes to resolving tensions through meaningful and open dialogue; yes to keeping channels of communication open to prevent misunderstandings and to de-escalate tensions.
Editorial: Time to enjoy fruits of win-win Sino-EU partnership, not play with ‘de-risking’ – China Daily: ‘The EU apparently needs to develop a more objective and impartial view about China’s development, as China-EU cooperation, resilience of the Chinese economy and the EU's urgent need to shore up its sluggish economy all indicate the two sides have everything to gain from deepening cooperation, and everything to lose from “de-risking”.’
China says it is ready to work with EU to enhance mutual trust – Reuters
Israël-Palestina 🇮🇱🇵🇸
China offers to work with Egypt to reach immediate ceasefire in Israel-Hamas conflict – SCMP
Wáng Yì 王毅 exchanges views on Palestinian-Israeli conflict with Brazilian senior official – Xinhua
Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue Zhai Jun Has a Phone Call with First Deputy Foreign Minister of Palestine Amal Jadou on the Palestine-Israel Situation – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China: ‘Zhai Jun said that China is deeply saddened by many innocent civilian casualties caused by the current escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict and deeply concerned over the serious deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in Palestine.’
中国政府中东问题特使翟隽就以巴局势同以色列外交部副总司长哈帕兹通电话 – 新华网:“”
Zhai Jun belde ook met de Israëlische plv dg Azië-Pacific Rafael Harpaz. Zie voor de vaste frases waaruit Zhai putte in het eerste antwoord in de persconferentie hieronder. Berteurt burgerdoden, roept op tot staakt-het-vuren en twee-staten-oplossing, rol internationale gemeenschap voorkomen escalatie.
Foreign ministry confirms three Chinese nationals killed and two missing in Palestine-Israel conflict – The Global Times
Geen woord over door welke kant en hoe.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on October 12, 2023 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China: ‘China shares a similar position with Arab states on this question. Both sides call for an early end to the violence, condemn actions against civilians and believe it is essential to avoid further escalation of the situation which will lead to humanitarian disasters.’
Israel-Hamas war: mother of kidnapped woman says daughter is Israeli, not Chinese – SCMP
China’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict reflects its longstanding support for Palestine – Jianli Yang for The Diplomat
China’s economic stake in the Middle East: Its thirst for oil – The New York Times: ‘No country buys more oil from Saudi Arabia’ ‘China has also started buying more oil from Iran’
Antisemitism permeates China’s internet after conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas –
China’s soft message on Hamas is part of a much bigger strategy – POLITICO: ‘Countries in Africa, Latin America and beyond often see Palestinians’ struggle against occupation — or what a U.N. expert has declared is an Israeli “apartheid” policy — as akin to fighting colonization.’
Steun van China en Rusland aan Israël blijft uit, om verschillende redenen – FD
Taiwan’s defence ministry sets up task force to study Israel-Hamas war – Reuters
Tech War 💽💥
How the big chip makers are pushing back on Biden’s China agenda – The New York Times: ‘Amid discussions between Nvidia and members of C.S.I.S.’s fund-raising staff, several people in policy circles, including Jason Matheny, the president of the RAND Corporation, called the center to voice concerns that Nvidia was trying to use its influence to sideline Mr. Allen, two people familiar with the calls said.’
Er gaan al langer geruchten rond dat halfgeleiderfabrikanten druk uitoefenen in Washington DC om denktankers en overheidsfunctionarissen die voor exportcontrolemaatregelen zijn te laten sensibiliseren of naar functies elders te laten verplaatsen, zegt ook Bill Bishop in de laatste episode van de podcast Sharp China.
Saudi-China collaboration raises concerns in kingdom about access to AI chips from US – FT
Taiwan says awaiting US announcement on China chip waiver extension after Samsung and SK Hynix – Reuters
Japan to defend chips, other tech with new economic security plan – Nikkei Asia
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
Weekend
Longreads en achtergrond
Can China leapfrog ASML in its quest for semiconductor self-reliance? – Eve Register for The Diplomat
How economists have underestimated Chinese consumption – The Economist: ‘China in particular has struggled. In the past, it has not reported [social transfers in kind] cleanly or separately’
Het antwoord van Michael Pettis op dit belangrijkste punt van kritiek op zijn verhaal over de Chinese economie: ‘Chinese households do not believe they have enough income to allow them to spend more on consumption.’
Amid turmoil in China’s property market, the public seethes: Anger is turning against the tycoons who profited from a house-building boom – The Economist
China has sentenced Rahile Dawut to life in prison and would like the world to forget her. We must not – Rachel Harris in The Guardian
Mao to Now – Perry Link for China Books Review
Podcasts
Eerste Oeigoerse roman naar het Nederlands vertaald: „Cruciaal dat we onze cultuur blijven delen” – VPRO Bureau Buitenland
China’s New Navy – CSIS Pekingology’s Jude Blanchette interviews Xiaobing Li and Don Betz 🍎 🤖
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
US to attend Beijing annual security-focussed Xiangshan forum in latest sign of improving ties – Reuters: ‘The Pentagon did not say whom China had invited or who from the U.S. side would attend’
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she plans to meet with China’s central bank Governor Pān Gōngshèng 潘功胜 while the two are attending meetings in Morocco – Bloomberg
China’s ties with America are warming, a bit – The Economist’s Chaguan: ‘Diplomats report that China has heard from many governments that it should lower tensions and talk to America—and that countries have sent the same message to President Joe Biden’s team.’
China says sends fighter jets to warn US Navy plane in Taiwan Strait – Reuters
China to host Belt and Road forum in Beijing October 17-18 – Reuters
Vrijgelaten Australische nieuwslezer Cheng Lei was slachtoffer van Chinese gijzelaarsdiplomatie – NRC
Thailand PM Srettha shows signs of leaning toward China for growth – Nikkei Asia
PM Anwar: China has obliged when Putrajaya ‘politely’ objected to encroachment into Malaysian waters – The Malay Mail: ‘said Beijing's intentions of honest engagement were noticeable.’
China premier conveys will to advance dialogue with Japan in September – Kyodo News
92.2% in Japan view China unfavourably, says Japan-China Public Opinion Survey – The Yomiuri Shimbun
China repatriates North Korean refugees after Hangzhou Asian Games, according to source – RFA
China and India hold new round of military chief-level talks on border issues – Reuters
Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning expected to return to service in 2023 – Reuters
China economie
Chinese state fund buys shares to support country’s biggest banks – Nikkei Asia
Property crisis pushes China to increase financial risk monitoring, asset disposal for troubled small banks – SCMP
China bans new offshore brokerage accounts in capital control move – Reuters
China’s state-owned firms advised to focus on tech bottlenecks and security – SCMP
China binnenland
Exclusive: Combat veteran General Liú Zhènlì 刘振立 is likely replacement for China’s missing defence minister – Reuters: ‘likely to happen before Beijing holds an international security forum later this month’
China’s graft-busters to ‘delve deep’ in new round of corruption inspections – SCMP: ‘The list of targets released by the CCDI after a meeting on Tuesday suggests a focus on the tech sector.’
Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 inspects Jingdezhen and Shangrao in east China’s Jiangxi Province – Xinhua
Chinese President Xi Jinping visits aircraft maker supplying helicopters for PLA’s Taiwan sorties – SCMP
China registreert laagste [officiële] geboortecijfer sinds 1949 – NRC
Hong Kong
UN human rights experts ‘very troubled’ over mass trial of Hong Kong democracy activists – RFA: ‘while a report has emerged that Tiananmen vigil organizer and human rights lawyer Chow Hang-tung is being singled out for harsh treatment in prison.’
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office highlights ‘1992 Consensus’ in response to Tsai's National Day address – Focus Taiwan
China pushing agenda of diminishing US power with ‘militarily-motivated’ economic exchanges, says Taiwan’s defence ministry – Focus Taiwan
Top political advisor Wáng Hùníng 王沪宁 attends Taiwan compatriots forum – Xinhua
Taiwan contributes to peace and prosperity, President Tsai Ing-wen 蔡英文 tells Yushan Forum – Taipei Times
Taiwan a force for good, Vice President Lai Ching-te 賴清德 says at Yushan Forum – Taipei Times
Taiwan seeks to boost ties with friendly countries through military veterans groups – Taipei Times
Most Americans would back military intervention for Taiwan, according to Eurasia Group survey – Taipei Times
Taiwan verkiezingen
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office concerned and dissatisfied by KMT vice chair Andrew Hsia 夏立言 saying party is mislabelled as ‘pro-China’ or ‘unification party’ – SCMP: ‘Hsia told Taiwan’s CTiTV News on October 3 that his comments were taken out of context’
KMT-TPP to hold election alliance talks Saturday – Taipei Times: ‘Ko’s team hopes the meeting would focus on issues related to transparency, public debates and fair polling that would be necessary for a joint ticket, he said.’
KMT and TPP to hold talks, Hou Yu-ih 侯友宜 says – Taipei Times: ‘Ko’s campaign spokesman Tai Yu-wen (戴于文) told reporters that the two sides are stuck on whether to publicize their talks. Ko’s team wants their discussions to be transparent, but Hou’s campaign has “left us on read,” Tai said, calling on them to respond.’
‘Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康) yesterday agreed that polling is important when choosing how to form an opposition coalition, but the opinions of those involved are most important.’ ‘Jaw also criticized Ko for raising too many proposals’
國民黨民眾黨幕僚14日會面 郭辦:不是藍白合是過招互鬥 – 中央社:「黃士修指出,國民黨與民眾黨雙方的條件並不對盤,且前高雄市長韓國瑜幫忙協調在野陣營,卻無法代表國民黨談判,還一直被消費,讓他感到擔心,並認為國民黨充滿算計。」
DPP lawmakers accuse the KMT of running smear campaigns through media companies – Taipei Times
President Tsai Ing-wen (DPP) says NT$4.8bn [€141m] worth of fraud prevented – Taipei Times
Taiwan binnenland en economie
KMT legislator Ma Wen-chun 馬文君 broke the rules around confidential submarine briefings, DPP lawmakers say – Taipei Times
Legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee body tightens rules on meeting security – Taipei Times: ‘KMT Legislator Charles Chen (陳以信) expressed anger at the motion, saying that the DPP had “ambushed” the opposition’
Stabilisation fund bags over NT$6 billion [€176m] profit since market withdrawal – Taipei Times
Chinese man wanted for household registration data leak – Taipei Times