De Chinese Wouden, vrijdag 8 december: top EU-China
De top in Peking tussen de Chinese president Xi Jinping, Europese Raadsvoorzitter Charles Michel en Europese Commissievoorzitter Ursula von der Leyen. Ik weet niet zo goed hoe veel inhoudelijks ik er over kan zeggen. De kop van de Volkskrant dekt te lading. Hij is geweest.
Veel belangrijker is dat dit de prelude kan zijn voor volgende stappen. Nu heeft Brussel nog eens duidelijk kunnen maken over China dat er fundamentele zorgen zijn over staatssteun, markttoegang en leveranties aan Rusland die gebruikt worden in de oorlog tegen Oekraïne. Of Chinese voorsprong in groene technologie en elektrische auto’s tot terecht voordeel leidt of niet, The Economist wijst er terecht op dat alleen al economisch eigenbelang van de grote lidstaten zorgt dat deze keer anders is.
Ik verwacht niet dat Peking serieus iets gaat doen aan deze langer bestaande klachten. Xi Jinping pareert zelf met een waarschuwing dat we geen confrontatie maar samenwerking moeten zoeken. De Chinese lijn is al tijden de niet geloofwaardige claim dat we zelf de problemen met de handelsbalans zouden veroorzaken door politieke manipulatie en exportcontrole.
Peking wil zeggen: vergeet de exportgevolgen van de Chinese politieke economie waar mensen als hoogleraar Michael Pettis en Matthew Klein al jaren over schrijven, de structurele voordelen die de partijstaat geeft aan Chinese marktpartijen en de kleine deuk die wat meer ASML-machines zouden slaan in het handelstekort. Peking wil ook zeggen: vergeet onze politieke uitdagingen, onze indirecte steun voor Rusland en onze pogingen om zelf wél minder afhankelijk van jullie te worden.
Maar dat vergeten gaat niet gebeuren. The Global Times kan nog zo veel knullige cartoons in elkaar knutselen waarop wij de marionet van de Verenigde Staten zijn, in de auto-industrie gaat het om miljoenen Europese banen en Oekraïne raakt een zenuw. Dus gaan we alleen maar verdere verwijdering tegemoet, zolang er geen oprechte wil is aan de Chinese zijde om Europa eens serieus te nemen.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
China Eastern vaker van Schiphol naar Shanghai – Luchtvaartnieuws.nl 🇳🇱
‘Italië stapt uit de Chinese Nieuwe Zijderoute, project heeft niet de gewenste effecten gehad’ – NRC 🇮🇹
New insights bring Volkswagen closer to forced labour in Xinjiang – China Table 🇩🇪
Forscher: Kein großer Abstand zu Zwangsarbeit – ZDF 🇩🇪
Handel: Wie hältst du es mit China? – SZ 🇩🇪
Volkswagen says Xinjiang plant audit finds no evidence of forced labour – FT: ‘the team had conducted 40 interviews at the Urumqi-based factory that employs 197 people and been allowed to “freely” inspect the factory, but added that “the situation in China and Xinjiang and the challenges in collecting data for audits are well known”.’ ‘noted the employees of the Xinjiang plant have “little to do”, highlighting how VW has found itself in a position where it would risk angering Beijing and Chinese consumers by walking away from the factory.’ 🇩🇪
‘Substantial volume’ of clothing tied to Uyghur forced labour entering EU, says study – The Guardian 🇪🇺
Taiwan and Germany sign pact on civil society exchanges – Focus Taiwan: ‘German Parliamentarian Reinhard Bütikofer has been named as one co-chair’ 🇩🇪
Top EU-China 🇪🇺🇨🇳
Dát er een EU-Chinatop is, telt zwaarder dan wat eruit komt – de Volkskrant: „Beijing is niet bereid tot structurele veranderingen en lijkt vooral strategisch tijd te willen winnen.”
EU-leiders verlangen concrete vooruitgang van China op het gebied van handel – de Volkskrant: „In de Chinese verklaring na de top werd niet ingegaan op de Europese pijnpunten.”
Na hun ‘topje’ staan China en de EU met lege handen – NRC: „een voortgangsgesprek zonder grote doorbraken, een periodieke onderhoudsbeurt in een geprikkelde relatie.”
Mensenrechten ondergeschoven kindje bij EU-bezoek aan China – AD
China and the EU risk a trade war: Massive Chinese overcapacity in electric cars is a giant political risk for Europe – The Economist: ‘Chinese officials have left Western diplomats with the impression that they expect Vladimir Putin to avoid a humiliating defeat, and to see Western unity crumble, making a frozen conflict a likely outcome.’
‘Over the years, Europe’s industrial landscape has been reshaped several times by China opening far more firms and factories than markets need. Whereas in the past the threat involved basic commodities such as steel, lately China has achieved dominance in advanced sectors which European firms once led, like wind turbines or solar energy. Another such sector is cars, an industry with a powerful grip on public hearts and minds.’
Heeft Peking wel door wat er gebeurt in de Europese hoofdsteden als de miljoenen Europese banen in de autoindustrie en aanverwante takken in gevaar komen door Chinese overproductie?
EU-China summit: Brussels ratchets up pressure on Beijing over trade and Russia’s war on Ukraine – SCMP
EU puts list of Chinese firms with Russia links on Xi’s table – POLITICO Europe: ‘Some 13 companies based in China are in the EU’s sights as the bloc seeks to tighten up on leakages of dual-use goods being exported to Russia’
Snapt Peking wel hoe serieus dit is?
China dismisses EU trade deficit concerns as leaders meet – FT: ‘“[…] we don’t think China could be held accountable for this,” Wang [Lutong] told reporters after the talks.’
In China, EU leaders confront Beijing on trade imbalance and Russia ties – Euractiv
China’s Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 warns top EU officials not to engage in confrontation – Reuters: ‘He also urged the EU in the meeting held at Beijing’s Diaoyutai State Guesthouse to “eliminate all kinds of interference” in the bilateral relationship’
‘A European official told journalists in Brussels earlier this week that “there’s not a single outstanding deliverable that will be crowning the summit,” adding that there will not be a joint statement.’
China sees Europe as key trade partner, Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 tells visiting EU leaders – SCMP
Statement by President von der Leyen at the meeting with Chinese President Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 – European Commission: ‘We both recognise the importance of de-risking and strengthening the resilience of our economies.’
Terugkerende boodschap van de EU richting China is dat het Europese de-risking slechts een verlate tegenhanger is van de economische onafhankelijkheid die Peking al jaren nastreeft op allerlei gebieden die de CCP cruciaal acht.
Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 urges enhanced political mutual trust and dialogue and cooperation with the EU – Xinhua: ‘While pointing out that transformations of a scale unseen in a century are unfolding in the world, Xi said China and Europe are two major forces advancing multipolarity, two major markets in support of globalization, and two major civilizations championing diversity.’
Editorial: Positive aspects of China-EU ties often intentionally underestimated – The Global Times: ‘The actual state of China-EU relations is better than that portrayed by Western public opinion’
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on December 7, 2023 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
The New York Times: Europe has been expressing more concern this year about security issues in connection with China. Is Europe following America’s views on security and Ukraine instead of assessing Europe’s own interests? What is China’s view?
Wang Wenbin: China always views its relations with Europe from a strategic height and long-term perspective and sees Europe as a comprehensive strategic partner and an important force in a multi-polar world. We support the EU in upholding strategic autonomy, working together with China to practice true multilateralism and jointly striving to safeguard world peace, promote common development and tackle global challenges.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on December 6, 2023 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
The current China-EU trade situation is a result under the combined influence of macro-economic environment, international trade conditions and the industrial structures of the two sides. […] Moreover, trade involves both sides. If the EU sets strict restrictions on the export of high-tech products to China on the one hand, and on the other, hopes to greatly increase export to China, this may not be a reasonable expectation.
[…]
The Paper: According to reports, on December 5, an EU official said that President of the European Council Charles Michel does not have a secure phone line in Beijing to talk to EU leaders without China eavesdropping. Do you have any comment on this?
Wang Wenbin: It should have been clear to EU officials that it is not China who has conducted eavesdropping and espionage on leaders of EU countries and institutions.
Tech War 💽💥
De handelsmissie in Arizona draait niet om restricties, maar om de promotie van Nederlandse chiptechnologie – NRC: „Nederland wordt actief betrokken bij de herontwikkeling van de Amerikaanse chipproductie. Die loopt achter op die van de concurrentie uit Zuid-Korea en Taiwan, en ook China dreigt langszij te komen.” 🇳🇱
ASM International twijfelt over investering in Nederland: „Zorgen om politieke- en zakenklimaat” – De Telegraaf 🇳🇱
Universiteiten vrezen beperkingen voor internationale studenten. „Met alleen Nederlanders redden we het niet” – Trouw 🇳🇱
Arizona unions and TSMC struck an agreement to resolve labour disputes that have dogged the chipmaker’s construction site in Phoenix – Bloomberg
Zonder het ‘ondernemersvriendelijke’ arbeidersklimaat in Taiwan is het een stuk lastiger voor TSMC.
Chinese carmakers rush to build own semiconductor supply chains – Nikkei Asia
China EV maker Nio 蔚来 to spin off its battery production unit – Reuters
US rules force South Korea’s EV battery makers to rethink China deals – Nikkei Asia
Apple moves towards India-made iPhone batteries in push away from China – FT
South Korean display industry still paying a heavy price for Chinese deal: Court battle over tech leakage puts spotlight on rise of Chinese company that gained from a Hyundai unit acquisition – Christian Davies for FT
Japan adds Chinese nuclear weapons lab and others to WMD concern list – Nikkei Asia
China launches world’s first fourth-generation nuclear reactor – AFP
Taiwan’s IC tech controls unlikely to affect local suppliers, minister says – Taipei Times
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
China lays out contrasting vision for financial system and rejects ‘predatory’ Western outlook – SCMP: ‘has answered “many major theoretical and practical issues that Western financial theory has never been able to solve”.’
中央金融委员会办公室、中央金融工作委员会:坚定不移走中国特色金融发展之路 – 《求是》2023/23
Meer mensen in Europa zouden moeten lezen wat China zelf publiceert, dan krijg je pas echt een goede indruk van de consistentie waarmee Xi Jinpings China zich in oppositie met het Westen definieert.
Moody’s advised Beijing and Shanghai staff to work from home ahead of China outlook cut – FT: ‘a suggestion staff believed was prompted by concern over Beijing’s possible reaction’ ‘also advised analysts in Hong Kong to temporarily avoid travel to the Chinese mainland’
China spy agency lashes out at ‘ill-intentioned foreign forces’ that conflate espionage with business – SCMP: ‘The claim that the anti-espionage law worsens the business environment and has a chilling effect on foreign investment in China is “a fallacy”,’
US and China diverge on how to avert military clashes – Nikkei Asia: ‘Beijing is thus willing to maintain a certain level of risk to keep U.S. military activity in check in an act of dangerous brinkmanship.’
China says its fighters shadowed US Navy patrol plane over Taiwan Strait – Reuters
China deepens ties with Saudi Arabia at Hong Kong gathering – FT
Taiwan’s economic and financial decoupling from China has deepened with the near-collapse of what was once the world’s largest Chinese bond ETF market – Bloomberg: ‘China and Hong Kong accounted for around 35% of Taiwan’s total overseas shipments through the first 10 months of 2023, compared to a 44% share in 2020.’
Sorry America, China has a bigger economy than you – Chris Giles for FT
Weekend 🏖️📚
Longreads en achtergrond
What will it take for China’s GDP to grow at 4–5 per cent over the next decade? – Michael Pettit for Carnegie: ‘The arithmetic, however, is quite straightforward: unless the rest of the world is willing to reverse its strategic economic priorities to accommodate Chinese growth ambitions, global constraints imply that China cannot continue growing its share of global GDP without sharply reducing the growth rate of investment and manufacturing. The only way to reduce these without a sharp drop in GDP growth would be through a sharp rise in consumption growth. That, in turn, would require a reversal of the past direction of transfers, with the only sector capable of funding these transfers being the government. But that must result in a sharp change in the roles of Beijing and local governments in the Chinese economy. This change would be difficult.’
Wonen in een voormalig quarantainecentrum, een jaar na zerocovid in China: „We wilden een huis kopen, maar we durven niet meer” – de Volkskrant: „Het is misschien wel de grootste verandering door covid in China: de golf van pessimisme en onzekerheid, in een land dat de voorbije decennia werd gekenmerkt door een enorm vooruitgangsgeloof, en dat tot diep in het tweede jaar van de pandemie dacht dat zijn covidaanpak superieur was.”
Is Foxconn (Hon Hai 鴻海) the canary in the coal mine? – CommonWealth Magazine: ‘Working closely with local party organizations has laid the foundation for Foxconn’s growth. But when China's largest private employer is also being suppressed, how should this signal be interpreted?’ ‘the effectiveness of this partnership between private businesses and Chinese local governments has been slowly unraveling’
Climate change battle ‘won or lost’ in Asia, says AIIB executive Danny Alexander – Nikkei Asia
The six myths Kissinger created about himself — that everyone fell for – POLITICO Magazine: ‘This was particularly true when it comes to China.’
Nvidia’s China business is important to US geopolitical positioning –
Podcasts
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
A massive cyberattack hit the US government in the early days of Covid. For the first time, officials reveal its scale – Bloomberg Businessweek: ‘Arrieta, Vogel and two of the officials believe the scope, complexity and timing of the attacks point to China.’ ‘In the first months of the pandemic, hackers tied to Russia, Iran, Vietnam and North Korea also sought information pertaining to the coronavirus, according to cybersecurity experts.’
Israel-Gaza war: China’s top diplomat Wáng Yì 王毅 calls for ‘major countries’ to be fair and impartial – SCMP: ‘Wang also emphasised Beijing’s “solemn stance” on Taiwan and stressed that Washington should not interfere in its internal affairs.’
China’s Wáng Yì 王毅 stresses promoting stable and healthy Sino-US relations with Blinken – Reuters
Secretary Blinken’s call with People’s Republic of China (PRC) Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister Wáng Yì 王毅 – US Department of State: ‘The Secretary underscored that the recent Houthi attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea pose an unacceptable threat to maritime security and international law that all nations [dus ook China met zijn volgens sommigen nabije anti-piraterijmissie die laatst niks deed] have an obligation to uphold.’
China and Iran vow to work together for peace amid Israel-Gaza war – SCMP: ‘Communist Party international department chief Liu Jianchao visited Tehran where he met several senior politicians on Tuesday.’
Interessante om te zien hoe veel zichtbaarder de Internationale Afdeling van de CCP wordt. Liu Jianchao is veel publiekelijk op reis de laatste tijd.
G7 warns China on military activities in South China Sea, urges it to press Russia to exit Ukraine – SCMP
G7 reaffirms importance of peace across Taiwan Strait – Focus Taiwan
China’s police chief, state councillor and minister Wáng Xiǎohóng 王小洪, meets Russian interior minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev – Xinhua
Russia and China are getting closer than ever – Semafor
Chinese warships visit controversial Cambodian naval base Ream for joint exercise – SCMP
30-day visa-free travel between Singapore and China to begin in early 2024 – The Straits Times
From food security to ‘therapeutic gardens’: Singapore and China sign over 20 MOUs – The Straits Times
Myanmar’s junta wants China’s support. Analysts expect ‘cautious pragmatism’ from Beijing – SCMP
Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 to visit Vietnam with rail project talks expected – Nikkei Asia
Attack on Pakistan highway to China shakes key Belt and Road link – Nikkei Asia
Laos deports 462 Chinese nationals as scamming crackdown spreads – The Diplomat
Barrier to entry: New photos show China expanding fences on North Korea border – NK News
China e-cigarette titan behind ‘Elf Bar’ floods the US with illegal vapes – Reuters
Verboden in China, maar wel voor de export.
Exclusive: Inside a Beijing-linked Chinese help center in Tanzania – Axios: ‘helping citizens abroad while replicating the tools China uses elsewhere to keep tabs on them.’
Ik leg Chinees diasporabeleid ook altijd uit als een uitbreiding van de partijstaat naar het buitenland. Dat is omdat die modus operandi simpelweg is hoe de Chinese bureaucratie werkt. Helaas heeft dat wel ook negatieve gevolgen, o.a. door het uitbreiden van controle over de Chinese gemeenschap en een mogelijk corrosieve werking op de lokale rechtsstaat.
China economie
China advises state firms to keep eye on finances as risk becomes economic watchword – SCMP
China’s college graduates to hit record high 11.79 million in 2024, adding to job market pressure – SCMP
Net als veel pers haal ook SCMP de jeugdwerkloosheid erbij. Dat gaat echter om mensen van 16–24 die geen werk hebben en ook geen studie volgen. Terwijl sommige studenten bij het afstuderen al 24 of ouder zijn, vallen juist de vaak genegeerde jongeren zonder opleiding of met praktische scholing in die groep. Dat is onderdeel van het verhaal waar o.a. ontwikkelingseconoom Scott Rozelle over schrijft: de precariteit van juist die groep nu betrouwbaar werk in bouw en fabrieken verdwijnt.
China rolls out initiatives to boost employment for university graduates – Xinhua
Local governments give out vouchers to boost consumption – China Daily
Chinese exports edge higher for first time in 6 months – FT
Chinese export groeit dankzij prijsverlagingen – FD
‘That’s why today’s trade numbers were very disappointing. The Chinese economy is constrained by weak demand, not weak supply, and so the “better-than-expected” export numbers simply suggest that Chinese manufacturing competitiveness remains.’ – Michael Pettis, Twitter
Chinese property is beyond repair. How can creditors delay its collapse? – FT Alphaville
China deems coal reserves insufficient after past power crises hit industries, livelihoods – SCMP
China binnenland
[disclaimer: bevat feitelijke onjuistheden] China’s Xi goes full Stalin [sic] with purge – POLITICO Europe: ‘On June 25 this year, barely six months after becoming minister, Qin held meetings in Beijing with the foreign ministers of Sri Lanka and Vietnam, as well as Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko. Then he vanished. According to several people with access to high-level Chinese officials, Rudenko’s real mission in Beijing was to inform Xi that his foreign minister and several top officers in the PLA had been compromised by western intelligence agencies.’
‘Two of these people claim that Qin died, either from suicide or torture, in late July in the military hospital in Beijing that treats China’s top leaders.’
Dit leest alsof iemand teveel heet zitten te genieten van de sensationalistische geruchtenmolens van de Chineestalige dissidentenpers. Zonder by-line geruchten aan elkaar knopen, wat zijn de bronnen? Zie ook het Twitter-draadje van Neil Thomas dat onjuistheden aanwijst. In zijn draadje wijst Sung Wen-Ti op enkele wel erg basale fouten.
One year after President Xi Jinping abandoned his Covid Zero strategy, vestiges of China’s vast anti-epidemic architecture are exposing the underlying scars of a regime that caused rare social unrest – Bloomberg: ‘Testing, one of the hallmarks of China’s virus elimination strategy, has never been completely lifted’
Zoals een academicus in het stuk terecht opmerkt: als lokale partijsecretarissen beloond worden voor ‘stabiliteitsbeheer’, dan is dat een extra prikkel om de controlemogelijkheden van covidmaatregelen te bewaren i.p.v. de onvermijdelijke verhogen van het aantal incidenten te laten gebeuren dat loslaten vergezelt.
Reappearance of dreaded ‘health codes’ in apps stokes alarm – China Digital Times
Wave of respiratory infections sparks rumours of covid health codes return – Caixin Global: ‘Caixin confirmed with frontline public health and service staff that the two provinces have not re-introduced their mandatory use’
Chinese schools urged to step up daily health checks and work with authorities to help stop wave of respiratory illnesses – SCMP
China’s push to loosen Mao-era residence rules runs into hurdles – Reuters: ‘two people involved in hukou policy discussions within the central government told Reuters that progress is stalling, making further significant breakthroughs unlikely, especially in China's larger cities.’ ‘implementation depends on cities having the funds and public service capacity.’
Xi’s quest for ethnic unity turns Genghis Khan into new danger – Bloomberg
Hong Kong
People claiming Hong Kong only focuses on national security are committing ‘soft resistance’, leader John Lee Ka-chiu 李家超 says – HKFP: ‘In recent months, Hong Kong officials have vowed to take a hard line against “soft resistance,” but have failed to define what is meant by the term’
In Hong Kong, journalists face new anxieties amid reports of ‘missing’ reporter in China – The Straits Times: ‘A source familiar with the issue told ST that SCMP and Ms Chan’s family would have been trying to keep the matter low-key for fear of jeopardising the reporter’s safety.’
Why does China keep disappearing female reporters? – Safeguard Defenders
New museum celebrating China’s achievements planned for Hong Kong Science Museum site, HK Heritage Museum faces axe – HKFP: ‘The exhibitions would cover the invasion of China by foreign forces, the development of the Chinese Communist Party’
Moody’s downgrades Hong Kong’s outlook to negative from stable – Reuters
‘This does not make sense’: Hong Kong No 2 official Eric Chan 陳國基 slams Moody’s ‘smearing’ credit outlook downgrade – SCMP: ‘Chan added Western countries led by the US had always tried to tarnish the image of Hong Kong and the mainland to constrain the nation’s development’
Editorial: Those who unfairly criticise Hong Kong must be put in their place – SCMP: ‘The authorities should take immediate action to set the record straight, clarifying the facts and using data to help people grasp the real situation.’
Chinese Mainland commercial and civil court verdicts won’t be automatically enforced in Hong Kong under new rule, official says – Caixin Global
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
Taiwan’s top trade negotiator signalled a desire to expand Taipei’s initial agreement with Washington into one that more closely resembles a free trade deal – Bloomberg
Top US trade envoy says Taiwan won’t get a free trade deal with new market access or reduced tariffs – SCMP
Taiwan reports rare nighttime Chinese military activity nearby – Reuters
Taiwan pledges US$2 million for fisheries upgrade in Pacific countries – Focus Taiwan
Taiwan verkiezingen
KMT presidential nominee Hou Yu-ih 侯友宜 pledges better ties with both US and China – Focus Taiwan: ‘criticizing the current government’s China policy as leading to zero formal bilateral communication.’
Hou durft niet te specificeren welke impopulaire concessies hij zou moeten doen aan Peking om die dialoog te kunnen krijgen.
So-called ‘Taiwan independence’ leads to dead end, says spokesperson – Xinhua: ‘Whatever high-sounding rhetoric the DPP authorities try to use, it cannot cover up their malicious attempt to tie Taiwan residents to the war chariot of “Taiwan independence”, Wang said’
Amerikaanse denktankers kunnen nog zulke mooie stukken schrijven over hoe Taiwan zichzelf kan beknotten om signalen van ‘assurance’ af te geven aan China, maar uiteindelijk is voor Peking elke DPP-regering een ‘provocatie’, simpelweg omdat het niet de KMT is.
Consolidating the blue vote – Nathan Batto’s Frozen Garlic
Batto met de statistische details doe uitleggen hoe Hou Yu-ih de KMT-achterban achter zich geconsolideerd heeft.
Ko Wen-je 柯文哲 (TPP) says that he is ‘deep-green at heart’ – Taipei Times: ‘Ko said he supports the deep-green political camp, as he is a descendant of a White Terror survivor.’ ‘Ko said that Tsai has “done her utmost” while laboring under “the baggage of DPP ideology,”’
Vanwege de consolidatie van Hou is het logisch dat Ko nu probeert de achterban van Tsai Ing-wen – breder dan de DPP — aan te spreken, terwijl hij zich eerder juist licht-blauw opstelde.
TPP’s vice president candidate Cynthia Wu 吳欣盈 working to fix disclosures – Taipei Times: ‘unforeseen difficulties disclosing her husband’s finances due to being suddenly thrust into the campaign.’
Wu komt van de rijke zakenfamilie achter het Shin Kong-conglomeraat.
Taiwan’s CEC discloses financial status of presidential candidate duos – Focus Taiwan
Why has the KMT returned to advocacy for the Cross-Strait Services Trade Agreement (CSSTA)? – New Bloom: ‘seems likely that the KMT has decided to lean into appealing to traditionalists rather than young people.’ ‘preceding periods in which it held power are now idealized.’
Premier Chen defends work of former DC representative Hsiao Bi-khim 蕭美琴 – Taipei Times: ‘Earlier, KMT members said that Hsiao, the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) vice presidential candidate, was not “Taiwan’s cat warrior,” but merely a “pet” of the US.’
Ko Wen-je 柯文哲 envisions kingmaker role for TPP in Legislative Yuan – Focus Taiwan
KMT candidates share plans to raise Taiwan’s birthrate – Taipei Times
KMT’s Hou Yu-ih 侯友宜 vows to crack down on fraud if elected president – Focus Taiwan
人工智慧實驗室:藍白合破局後 打柯、捧藍聲量高 – 自由時報
Nadat de oppositiesamenwerking tussen Hou Yu-ih (KMT) en Ko Wen-je (TPP) definitief mislukte, begonnen de online desinformatie en aanvallen zich ook tegen de TPP te richten en steunden duidelijk de KMT.
TV broadcasters pledge impartial election reporting – Taipei Times
Taiwan binnenland en economie
Taiwan’s white-collar fraud infiltrating banks – CommonWealth Magazine: ‘That bank staffers fell into the hands of fraudsters is perhaps the most concerning development amid a widespread outbreak of fraud in Taiwan.’
Taiwan remains Asia’s only ‘open’ country, report says – Taipei Times