De Chinese Wouden, vrijdag 23 februari: cyberlek, Israël, Rusland
In mijn blogtijden schreef ik over het belang dat marxisten-leninisten-maoïsten hechten aan de materialistische basis en de trend van de geschiedenis die daaruit volgt. De superstructuur van alle retorische herrie wijkt uiteindelijk voor de voortrollende tijdsmoloch.
De leiding in Peking zal zich in veel opzichten gesterkt voelen in zijn overtuiging dat China de trend van de geschiedenis mee heeft. In Oekraïne blijkt volgens een rapport van een nationalistische Chinese denktank dat Rusland niet zou kunnen verliezen ondanks Westerse sancties en dankzij Westerse verdeeldheid. Voor het Internationaal Strafhof en in de VN-veiligheidsraad wijzen de Chinese vertegenwoordigers in bijdragen over Israël-Palestina op het failliet van de Westerse claims op mensenrechten.
Peking zal niet blij zijn met de Europese sancties op Chinese bedrijven voor Russische banden, waartoe nu in Brussel is besproken ondanks Hongaars tegenspartelen. Maar ik verwacht geen grote reactie. Minister Wang Yi was net op tour in Europa en spreekt tevreden dat wij hier steeds ‘rationeler’ worden in onze houding ten opzichte van China. De klok tikt toch wel door.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Editorial: 1624: a year of significance – Taipei Times 🇳🇱
EU akkoord met nieuw en uitgebreid sanctiepakket tegen Rusland – NRC: „voor het eerst staan er ook drie bedrijven uit China op” 🇪🇺
EU agrees to blacklist Chinese firms for first time in latest Russian sanctions package – SCMP 🇪🇺
China sees Europe as increasingly ‘rational’ about its development, says foreign minister Wáng Yì 王毅 – Reuters 🇪🇺
Chinese foreign minister Wáng Yì 王毅 wraps up Europe tour, calls for stronger cooperation, unity, and openness – Xinhua: ‘“I noticed a growth of rational perception of China among Europeans, as they see China’s development in line with the logic of history, which should not be feared or rejected by Europe,” Wang said.’ ‘Europeans from all walks of life clearly oppose “decoupling,” and people of insights have started to reflect on the risks brought by “de-risking,” he said’ 🇪🇺
China rails against EU’s train subsidy probe — will relations be thrown off-track? – SCMP 🇪🇺
Chinese experts zijn niet zo blij maar ook niet in paniek.
Siemens boss demands EU action to fend off ‘cheap’ Chinese wind power imports – SCMP: ‘The case is similar to that of the solar industry.’
‘However, no EU member state lodged the formal complaint needed to trigger an investigation. France is understood to have considered doing so – until Beijing hit back at a Paris-backed probe into Chinese-made electric vehicles with an inquiry into French brandy.’ 🇪🇺
China’s Wáng Yì 王毅 urges France to play ‘constructive role’ as Ukraine and trade woes cloud Beijing’s EU ties – SCMP 🇫🇷
China and France should enhance strategic coordination and cooperation, says Chinese foreign minister – Xinhua: ‘As independent major countries, permanent members of the UN Security Council and important forces in a multipolar world’ 🇫🇷
China and France should work to render partnership more solid and dynamic, says Wáng Yì 王毅 – Xinhua: ‘Regarding Europe as an important pole in the multi-polarization process, China supports Europe in strengthening its strategic autonomy and holding its future firmly in its own hands, he added.’ 🇫🇷
China’s behaviour over Taiwan and border dispute with India concerning, says German minister Tobias Lindner – The Hindustan Times 🇩🇪
Cyberlek China 🇨🇳🕵🏼
An online dump of Chinese hacking documents offers a rare window into pervasive state surveillance – AP: ‘I-Soon and Chinese police are investigating how the files were leaked, the two I-Soon employees told The Associated Press.’ ‘I-Soon’s tools appear to be used by Chinese police to curb dissent on overseas social media and flood them with pro-Beijing content.’
As China expands its hacking operations, a vulnerability emerges – The New York Times: ‘it used ransomware attacks to bring in money when the Chinese government cut funding.’
GitHub leak supposedly exposes Chinese offensive cyber operations, researchers say – Cybernews: ‘no official confirmation of their veracity exists as of the writing of this article.’
Chinese hacking contractor iSoon leaks internal documents – Bank Info Security: ‘The leaked documents indicate that iSoon's main customer is the Ministry of Public Security’ ‘That means iSoon mostly receives contracts pegged to domestic security interests that require hacking into Asian organizations rather than high-profile international hacking assignments, which tend to be conducted by military or intelligence personnel.’
Dit vermeend lek is mooi getimed met de transparantie-campagne van de FBI en MIVD.
Midden-Oosten 🇮🇱🇵🇸🇾🇪
China’s Mǎ Xīnmín 马新民 tells ICJ that Palestinians have the right to armed struggle – The National (UAE): ‘He told the panel of 15 judges in The Hague that armed struggle was distinct from acts of terrorism.’
Er zijn nogal wat groepen in en rondom China die deze Chinese bijdrage goed zullen opslaan.
China asks World Court to speak out on ‘unlawful’ Israeli occupation – Reuters: ‘“Justice has been long delayed, but it must not be denied,” China’s Foreign Ministry’s legal adviser Ma Xinmin told the court in The Hague, in the Netherlands.’
US veto pushes situation in Gaza into more dangerous one, says foreign ministry spokesperson – Xinhua
Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Zhang Jun on the UN Security Council Resolution on the Palestinian-Israeli Situation – Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the UN: ‘it is not that the Security Council does not have an overwhelming consensus, but rather it is the exercise of veto by the United States that stifles the Council consensus.’
‘While the Council ceasefire resolution has been vetoed, the basics of international law are being trampled upon, and the bedrock of the multilateral system is being eroded.’ ‘China urges Israel to heed the call of the international community, abandon its plan for Rafah offensive, and stop its collective punishment of the people of Palestine.’
Remarks by Ambassador Zhang Jun at the UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question – Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the UN: ‘We hope the tragic picture in Gaza that he painted for us can touch the conscience of a certain member of this Council.’
‘The International Court of Justice requires that the provisional measures issued to prevent genocide be effectively implemented without delay.’
‘We are gravely concerned by the recent repeated public dismissal of the two-State solution by some Israeli politicians and their rejection of any international effort towards independent Palestinian statehood.’
Red Sea crisis sees China’s brisk business in East Africa waver under high shipping costs amid Houthi attacks – SCMP
China sends new naval fleet for escort mission in Gulf of Aden – Xinhua
Rusland 🇷🇺🇺🇦
Russia foils Western sanctions on natural gas project as shipments near – FT: ‘Chinese expertise filled the technical and logistical void left by western companies.’
Chinese think tank Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at the Renmin University of China (RDCY_ finds Western sanctions fail to undermine Russia – The Global Times: ‘Russia will not be defeated by Western sanctions and weapons, and the Russian economy could re-rise in the future’ ‘Western elites losing faith to maintain their support to Ukraine’
Het Chongyang-instituut is nogal nationalistisch en anti-Westers, dus dit is ook deels wensdenken. Maar als dit is wat veel Chinese leiders geloven dat de lange termijn is – bevestigt door onze onkunde om Oekraïne te bevoorraden – dan kleurt dat hoe ze omgaan met Westerse druk en Russische verzoeken.
Chinese senior official Chén Wǔ 陈武 attends opening ceremony of Games of the Future in Russia – Xinhua
Onrust onder Tibetanen
Exclusive: More than 100 Tibetans arrested over dam protest in Sichuan – RFA: ‘Residents were particularly distraught that construction of the hydroelectric dam would destroy six monasteries, including the Wonto Monastery, which includes ancient murals that date to the 13th century, the sources said.’
Unprecedented Tibetan protest against hydropower station in Sichuan – Bitter Winter
Kinmen/Quemoy 🇹🇼🇨🇳
Taiwan’s military to stay out of Kinmen dispute with China to avoid escalation – Focus Taiwan: ‘The MND also said it so far has found no irregularities in Chinese troop deployments in areas facing Taiwan’
Taiwan Coast Guard confirms Kinmen capsizing incident caused by patrol boat collision – Focus Taiwan: ‘The Chinese vessel […] tried to escape in a zigzagging fashion to avoid boarding and inspections, Chen said.’
China was al bezig de stropers te presenteren als slachtoffers. Commentaar van de po-KMT krant UDN klaagt over de traagheid waarmee de kustwacht de botsing uiteindelijk toegaf, pas nadat het OM in Kinmen over een botsing sprak.
Coast guard to order body cameras after capsizing – Taipei Times
President-elect Vice President Lai Ching-te 賴清德 (DPP) vows support for ‘firm enforcement of the law’ after Kinmen capsizing – Focus Taiwan
The CCP Persistently Condones Illegal Fishing by the ‘Three-Noes’ Vessels. Taiwan will Continue Responding with Strict, Firm, and Consistent Law Enforcement. The MAC Deeply Regrets the Baseless Accusations by the TAO in Disregard of the Efforts by All Parties to Investigate the Cause and Handle the Follow-up Matters of the Incident – Mainland Affairs Council, Republic of China (Taiwan)
De nadruk aan de kant van de zittende Taiwanese regering en de DPP ligt natuurlijk juist op de structurele Chinese stroperij en de agressieve Chinese reactie.
Tech War
Chinese e-autofabrikanten rukken op: „Europa slaapwandelt afgrond in” – NU.nl 🇪🇺
Chinese electric truck start-up Windrose explores production in Europe, CEO says – Reuters 🇪🇺
Mercedes CEO warns EU against protectionism in response to China – Reuters 🇪🇺
POSCO, the South Korean firm that produces battery materials for GM, is preparing to import graphite from Africa to reduce its dependence China – Bloomberg 🇰🇷
US export curbs on China won’t extend further to mature or legacy chips, Tokyo embassy official says – Nikkei Asia 🇺🇸
Taiwan chip firms flock to Japan as China decoupling accelerates – Reuters: ‘At least nine Taiwanese chip firms have set up shop or expanded operations in Japan over the past two years, according to a Reuters count.’ 🇯🇵
TSMC’s Japan chip venture spurs investment rush – Nikkei Asia: ‘In Kumamoto and beyond, [other kinds of] companies [also] cash in on the Taiwanese chipmaker’s expansion’ 🇯🇵
Uitbreiding in het naburige Japan is veel logischer voor de Taiwanese firma’s, dan naar het verre en exotische Westen komen.
Taiwan Silicon Valley project approved by Executive Yuan – Taipei Times: ‘a plan to develop Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli County into a powerhouse for technology’ ‘with an emphasis on integrated utilities and infrastructure’
Intel joins 1.4-nanometre chip race against TSMC 台積電 and Samsung – Nikkei Asia
With Currys buyout, China’s JD.com 京东 could get hungered short-cut to Europe expansion – Reuters
Weekend
Longreads en achtergrond
EU economic security can’t come à la carte: Member States need to accept one united policy, or none at all – Ed Bithell and Sjorre Couvreur for
Commentary China’s overseas police stations: An imminent security threat? – Brookings
Police searched alleged Chinese overseas police base in Tokyo last May – Kyodo News: ‘revealed that the organization had been handling renewal procedures for Chinese driver's licenses for Chinese residents in Japan, according to the sources.’
What the Western media get wrong about Taiwan – Clarissa Wei for Foreign Policy: ‘many of these short-term, visiting journalists distort the reality on the ground. They depict the island as the centerpiece of a drama that they’ve already made up their minds about, often inflating tensions and asking leading questions for heightened effect.’
China’s Communist cadres woo Taiwan with youth trips and video apps – FT: ‘“Their officials have to say that, but beyond the formal programme I had very interesting informal exchanges with local students,” he said. […] “For me, these are just great opportunities for tourism.”’
‘Frequently Taiwanese who live in China and are urged to participate in conferences or social gatherings are photographed and subsequently presented in party media as having promoted unification. “I have been burnt by this before, and I will only go to meetings that are strictly closed-door,” said a Taiwanese shoe factory owner in southern China.’
‘Still, since large parts of the Taiwanese public are tired of the DPP after eight years in power and Lai will be leading a minority government, officials in Taipei are concerned that United Front work could gradually have an effect.’
‘“They convince those who engage in dialogue with them that China is acting reasonably and that the DPP government should adopt significant restraint in response,” said Lee of the Taiwan Industrial and Economic Advisory Association. “That creates a force within Taiwanese society which has a certain constraining effect on Lai Ching-te’s government.”’
Letter to the editor: Scared Strait – Raymond Kuo, Michael A. Hunzeker, and Mark A. Christopher for Foreign Affairs: ‘when deterrence is needed against a determined and capable rival, assurances that are not reciprocated can quickly become concessions.’
Helaas niet genoeg ruimte in deze brief om de feitelijke onjuistheden en verdraaiingen in dát Taiwan-stuk in Foreign Affairs recht te zetten, maar in ieder geval genoeg om dit basale punt duidelijk te maken.
Wetenschappelijke factsheet: De prijs van conflict: Economische Gevolgen van een Militaire Crisis Rondom Taiwan voor Nederland en de EU – HCSS, Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Book review: Lee Hsi-ming, Taiwan’s Plan for Victory: An Asymmetric Strategy to Use the Small to Control the Large: All of Taiwan Should Understand the Overall Defense Concept (Linking Books, 2022). – Tommy Jamison for War on The Rocks
The real roots of Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 Thought: Chinese political philosophers’ long struggle with modernity – Rana Mitter in Foreign Affairs
Xi Jinping plays social engineer: Inside the Communist Party’s campaign to spread civilised habits – The Economist’s Chaguan
Rule of Law for All Under Heaven: Jiang Ping, the father of China’s legal enlightenment – ChinaTalk
Hoe China tussen de geopolitieke puinhopen aanstuurt op een nieuwe wereldorde – Ties Dams voor Clingendael
Podcasts
Flashpoints in the US-China relationship – Bonnie S. Glaser for China Global interviews Jean-Pierre Cabestan 🍎 🤖
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
China’s vice foreign minister Mǎ Zhāoxù 马朝旭 to attend G20 in Brazil from Feb. 21 to 22 – Reuters: ‘Foreign Minister Wang Yi was unable to attend the meeting because of scheduling conflicts, spokesperson Mao Ning said’ 🇧🇷
Diplomats meet in Rio de Janeiro at a time of increasing pessimism about the world outlook – Bloomberg 🇧🇷
China circumvents US tariffs by shipping more goods via Mexico – FT: ‘Mexico is not the only beneficiary of China’s move to export goods that could end up later in the US to a third country first.’ 🇺🇸
Biden administration cracks down on port cyber threats, with an eye on China – Semafor: ‘The Coast Guard is also proposing new cybersecurity requirements for port operators, as well as a new, secret directive specific to operators of Chinese-manufactured cranes.’ 🇺🇸
US lobbyists dump Chinese clients after blacklist threats by members of congress –POLITICO Influence 🇺🇸
Chinese man arrested in Australia faces extradition to US in North Korea smuggling case – Reuters 🇦🇺🇰🇵
Chinese and Indian militaries hold ‘constructive’ meeting on border issues, ministry says – Reuters 🇮🇳
Maldives visit of Chinese survey ship could rouse Indian Ocean security concerns – Reuters 🇲🇻
Philippine coast guard says Chinese claim of intrusion ‘inaccurate’ – Reuters 🇵🇭
China and Saudi Arabia looking to boost air passenger links – SCMP 🇸🇦
China needs to do more on ‘silent crisis’ of debt holding back poorest countries, says World Bank official – The Guardian
China economie
China has banned major institutional investors from reducing equity holdings at the open and close of each trading day, sources say – Bloomberg: ‘part of the government’s most forceful attempt yet to prop up the […] stock market.’
China proposes new ESG disclosure rules to keep up with Europe and boost foreign investment – Bloomberg 🇪🇺
Could China’s economy-boosting infrastructure plans throw a contradictory monkey wrench in the works? – SCMP: ‘“Avoiding the continuous expansion of local government debt while wanting to drive the economy through investment is, in itself, a conflicting approach,” Peng said.’
China binnenland
China’s Communist Party revamps discipline inspection rules to ensure Xí Jìnpíng 习近平’s instructions are carried out – SCMP: ‘include a new clause that defines inspection work as the “political supervision” of party organs from the top down’ ‘A newly added paragraph at the beginning of the document states that the inspection work’s “fundamental task is to resolutely safeguard the core status” of Xi, as well as his authority and leadership.’
China at risk of missing 2025 climate targets, needs steep CO2 cuts: Study – The Straits Times
China’s coal boom is slowing as top mining regions limit growth and steer investment to the clean energy that will replace the dirtiest fossil fuel – Bloomberg
China’s childcare costs among highest in world, think tank says – Reuters
Chinese capital closes highways after heavy snowfall – Reuters
Vrachtschip vaart tegen verkeersbrug in China, minstens 2 doden en 3 vermisten bij instorting – VRT NWS
Hong Kong
Top Beijing official Xià Bǎolóng 夏宝龙 to gauge tycoons’ views on economy, meet legal professional bodies over Article 23 bill during Hong Kong visit, sources say – SCMP: ‘The trip will end one day before the close of the public consultation period for the Article 23 legislation and the release of the budget.’
Hong Kong to consider barring early-release prisoners from leaving city, corrections chief says – HKFP
Hong Kong neglects judicial nominations despite case backlog – Nikkei Asia: ‘Only 161 of 211 positions within the judiciary are filled, with the highest ratio — 36% — of vacancies at the High Court judge level.’ ‘“Political background checks have [intensified]. Judges have to be very trustworthy,” said one senior lawyer’
The international business community is clear on where it wants to call home in Asia: Singapore – Bloomberg: ‘The city state hosted regional headquarters for 4,200 multinational firms in 2023, extending its lead and dwarfing the 1,336 found in Hong Kong’
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
Visiting US congressmen propose ways of expediting Taiwan’s arms orders – Focus Taiwan: ‘Republican Mike Gallagher and Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi’ 🇺🇸
US lawmaker in Taiwan visit Mike Gallagher reassures support regardless of US election outcome – Reuters 🇺🇸
US green-lights US$75m arms sales to Taiwan – Taipei Times: ‘Taiwan Advanced Tactical Data Link System Upgrade Planning’ 🇺🇸
Taiwan’s FDA joins international medicines regulatory authorities coalition – Focus Taiwan: ‘The Taiwan FDA is joining the group under the name “Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), Chinese Taipei,” according to the Taiwan FDA's statement.’
Taiwan binnenland en economie
Pingtung County Council Speaker Chou Tien-lun 周典論 (KMT) indicted on Terry Gou campaign signature-buying charge – Taipei Times
Expert meeting results in Taisugar pork case expected in March: TFDA – Focus Taiwan
Cabinet approves draft bill to allow absentee voting for referendums – Focus Taiwan