De Chinese Wouden, vrijdag 8 maart: NOS, Twee Zittingen, ASML, Filipijnen, Rusland
Nadat correspondent Sjoerd den Daas in Chengdu tegen de grond werd gewerkt, is de NOS weer in het vizier van China. Peking klaagt over de recente Nieuwsuur-rapportage over de Taiwanese halfgeleiderindustrie. Daarin praat Sjoerd den Daas met de Taiwanese vertegenwoordiger in Brussel, voormalig viceminister Roy Chun Lee. Ik sluit me volmondig aan bij de aanmoediging gezongen door Lubach. Denk om jezelf!
Er is érg veel nieuws. Naast interessant taalgebruik over Taiwan tijdens de Twee Zittingen is er groot nieuws over ASML in een campagne van De Telegraaf. Maar ook de Verenigde Staten blijft met druk komen op de halfgeleiderindustrie en wil volgens Bloomberg net als Nederland dat ook Duitsland betrokken wordt bij exportcontrolemaatregelen. Het Amerikaanse Bloomberg weet ook dat de Nederlandse Tweede Kamer binnenkort hoort van de regering over plannen om de Europese aanpak te verstevigen.
Daarnaast veel nieuws over Chinese cybergevaren in de VS én Nederland, maar bovenal graag aandacht een verslag in de South China Morning Post over de Russische spreekpunten van de Chinese gezant Li Hui tijdens zijn gesprekken in Brussel. Dit onderwerp een goed voorbeeld van de structurele problemen die de relatie tussen China en Europa steeds verder zullen doen verslechteren. Het is niet dat beide partijen op het onderwerp Rusland-Oekraïne an sich graag wíllen botsen. Alleen is het probleem dat de Chinese belangen in Rusland en de Europese belangen in Oekraïne dusdanig zijn, dat elke ontmoeting en elke nieuwe mijlpaal in dit onderwerp door de tegengestelde belangen voor botsing en dus verdere verwijdering zorgt. Zo zijn er meer onderwerpen.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Nederland 🇳🇱
China complains about Dutch news report on Taiwan – Reuters ‘China’s embassy said the [public] broadcaster [NOS] should “adhere to the one-China principle, eliminate the negative impact, and not provide (a) platform for ‘Taiwan independence’ forces”.’ 🇳🇱
China is niet blij met NOS-reportage over Taiwanese chipindustrie – NU.nl 🇳🇱
Comments of the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands on certain Dutch media’s interview with the former deputy head of Taiwan’s foreign affairs office – Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of the Netherlands 🇳🇱
het item van Sjoerd den Daas: China aast op Taiwans chipkennis – Nieuwsuur
Huawei had naar verluidt toegang tot persoonsgegevens via serverruimte KPN – NU.nl: „schrijft Volkskrant-onderzoeksjournalist Huib Modderkolk in zijn boek Dit wil je écht niet weten.” „Volgens een bron van de AIVD was dit ‘de aantoonbaarste casus van spionage door Huawei op dat moment’.”
„KPN laat in een reactie aan NU.nl weten zich niet te herkennen in de conclusies die op basis van anonieme bronnen zijn getrokken.” 🇳🇱
Oekraïne 🇺🇦
EU locks horns with China’s envoy on Ukraine Lǐ Huī 李辉 , as schisms on war remain – SCMP: ‘In a series of meetings on Monday and Tuesday, EU representatives were treated to a “full dose of Moscow’s talking points” from Li Hui, Beijing’s special envoy to Eurasia, according to several people familiar with the talks.’
‘Li was seen mainly to have echoed the Kremlin’s points of view, telling EU officials that no discussion on Ukraine’s territorial integrity would take place until the violence stops — which, he said, could only happen when the EU stops sending weapons to Ukraine. He told the EU to stop sanctioning Chinese companies, because they may be needed for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction.’
‘According to the sources, Li told EU officials that the Russian economy was thriving and that Putin was riding high in opinion polls.’ 🇪🇺🇺🇦
Ukraine: EEAS Senior Officials meet Chinese Special Envoy Lǐ Huī 李辉 – EEAS 🇪🇺🇺🇦
Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Lǐ Huī 李辉 Holds Talks with Officials of the European External Action Service – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China 🇪🇺🇺🇦
Lǐ Huī 李辉 the Chinese government’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, made his second visit to Ukraine within a year – Bloomberg 🇺🇦
Deputy Minister Władysław Bartoszewski met the Special Envoy of the Chinese Government for Eurasian Affairs – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Poland: ‘The Polish side called on China not to provide any political, economic and military support to Russia, as the aggressor.’ 🇵🇱🇺🇦
China-Russia ties set to deepen as Ukraine war heads into third year – The Straits Times 🇷🇺
China and Russia set new paradigm for major-country relations, says foreign minister – Xinhua 🇷🇺
Japan says it is gravely concerned about closer military ties between China and Russia – Reuters 🇷🇺
Moscow is preparing to spend billions to upgrade its vast eastern railroads to speed up Russia’s burgeoning trade with China – Bloomberg 🇷🇺
Chinese trade rebounds on electronics and exports to Russia – FT 🇷🇺
Taiwan deliberating plans with Estonian body to help rebuild Ukraine – Taipei Times: ‘The delegation is working hard to find the best possibilities to open a Taiwanese representative office in Tallinn, [visiting legislator Kristo Enn Vaga] said.’ 🇪🇪🇺🇦
overige
China to allow visa-free entry to citizens from 6 more European countries – POLITICO Europe: ‘Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg’ 🇨🇭🇮🇪🇭🇺🇦🇹🇧🇪🇱🇺
Chinese police officers may soon be patrolling the streets of Hungary – Telex 🇭🇺
China interference in Lithuania polls ‘can’t be ruled out’, says security chief – Reuters 🇱🇹
Editorial: Importance of Europe’s support – Taipei Times 🇪🇺
ASML
dreigend “vertrek” 🇫🇷
Geheime operatie kabinet onder codenaam ‘Beethoven’ om dreigend vertrek ASML – De Telgraaf: „Volgens een bron zou Frankrijk een mogelijke bestemming kunnen zijn voor ASML. Dat land rolt de rode loper uit voor topbedrijven uit het buitenland, onder meer met speciale taalprogramma’s voor 30.000 Indiase studenten. En terwijl Frankrijk publiek geld steekt in de productie van chips, staat in Den Haag het Nationaal Groeifonds, dat innovaties moet aanjagen, op de helling vanwege vraagtekens bij PVV, VVD, NSC en BBB.”
„De harde boodschap van ASML is in Den Haag inmiddels aangekomen, waar tot op het hoogste niveau wordt gewerkt om het bedrijf hier te houden. Onderdeel van ’operatie Beethoven’ is een persoonlijke bemoeienis van premier Mark Rutte. Hij spreekt woensdag zelf met ASML-topman Wennink, waarbij ook minister Micky Adriaansens (Economische Zaken) aanschuift. Het vestigingsklimaat is het onderwerp van de ontmoeting. Later op de dag ontvangt Rutte de Franse premier Attal voor een diner. De ambtsgenoten zullen het onder meer hebben over concurrentievermogen.” 🇳🇱
ASML-baas over mogelijke uitbreiding in buitenland: „Overal rollen ze de rode loper voor ons uit” – De Telegraaf 🇳🇱
Frans étatisme en kritiek op anti-migratiepartijen in De Telegraaf?!
Kabinet werkt aan plan om vertrek ASML uit Nederland te voorkomen – NOS: „Bronnen in Den Haag bevestigen dat verschillende departementen samen nadenken over de positie van ASML.”
„Er zijn geen vergevorderde plannen om uit Nederland te vertrekken, maar ASML heeft wel verontrustende signalen afgegeven.”
Kabinet wil uitbreiding ASML in buitenland voorkomen – NRC: „Waar ASML wél al eerder op zinspeelde: eventuele uitbreiding van het bedrijf buiten Nederland.”
Nederlandse en Amerikaanse voorstellen 🇳🇱🇺🇸
The US government is pressing allies including the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea and Japan to further tighten restrictions on China’s access to semiconductor technology – Bloomberg: ‘For example, the US is urging the Netherlands to stop ASML Holding NV from servicing and repairing sensitive chipmaking equipment that Chinese clients purchased before limits on sales of those devices were put into place this year, said the people.’ ‘Tokyo and The Hague have responded coolly to Washington’s latest push’
‘The US also wants to draw more countries into its export-control blockade. The Biden administration is trying to bring Germany and South Korea into an agreement that already includes Japan and the Netherlands, since all four countries are home to key firms in the semiconductor supply chain, according to the people.’
‘Dutch officials also hope that Germany will join the export control group’
Washington pushes allies to tighten China chipmaking restrictions – FT
The Netherlands proposed reinforcing coordination among EU nations to better implement export controls as part of a plan to limit sales of sensitive technologies to China – Bloomberg: ‘The Hague called for closer cooperation from the earliest stages of any new restrictions, including the possibility of establishing co-sponsored national control lists, according to a draft document seen by Bloomberg News.’
‘The proposal, to be submitted to the Dutch parliament on Thursday, aims to improve the implementation of the Dual-Use Regulation, a key instrument aimed at boosting the EU’s economic security.’
Twee Zittingen 两会
China’s Communist Party to get deeper control over State Council led by Premier Lǐ Qiáng 李强 as ties are ‘redefined’ – SCMP: ‘The amendment to the Organic Law of the State Council is expected to pass on Monday, the last day of the National People’s Congress’
China provincial officials pledge loyalty to Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 at annual congress – Nikkei Asia
China’s parliament is being used to highlight Xí Jìnpíng 习近平’s power – The Economist
Why China’s confidence crisis goes unfixed – The Economist’s Chaguan: ‘the public remembers previous prime ministers fondly for their candour’ ‘Nothing about China’s current prime minister, Li Qiang, suggests that he would’
Verdere versteviging van de positie van Xi Jinping en zijn Partij ten koste van de staat.
China needs a new road map to reinvigorate its economy, and bold reforms are key – The Straits Times
China’s 5% GDP growth target demands ‘hard work’, leaders insist while flagging hopes and risks – SCMP
China’s ‘two sessions’ 2024: long-awaited reform for 300 million migrants could open wellspring of demand – SCMP
We zijn in een periode van structurele omvorming – verwacht geen serieuze stimulus om te verzachten wat Xi blijkbaar nodig vindt.
China’s ‘two sessions’: Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 tells scientists to fight the tech battle well – SCMP
Chinese President Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 called on the military to coordinate its maritime strategy with economic development – Bloomberg
Xi Focus: Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 stresses armed forces deepening reform to comprehensively enhance strategic capabilities in emerging areas – Xinhua
China’s ambassadors urge top advisory body to engage more with foreign media – The Straits Times
Gratis rondreis China voor journalisten uit ontwikkelingslanden: „Ik ben onder de indruk” – RTL Nieuws
Taiwan 🇹🇼
Government Work Report on the Taiwan question signals fighting secessionism [sic] become top priority – The Global Times
Chinese President Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 called for the mobilisation of ‘patriots’ in Taiwan and abroad to fend off pro-independence efforts on the island – Bloomberg: ‘met on Wednesday with the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang’
Taiwan’s MAC to study China’s ‘peace’ omission – Taipei Times
Bill Bishop: ‘This year’s work report did not include language about “peaceful reunification” in the section about Taiwan. Instead it said “be firm in advancing the cause of China’s reunification”. Given the tweaks to the language in the readout of the Taiwan Work Conference to “It is crucial to resolutely combat "Taiwan independence" separatism 要坚决打击“台独”分裂” from “It is crucial to resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist activities 要坚决反对“台独”分裂活动”, are we seeing hints of a more impatient and assertive policy towards Taiwan in the works?’
Een keer eerder werd in een eerste versie ‘vreedzame hereniging’ ook al ingekort tot ‘hereniging’ om in de uiteindelijk aangenomen versie toch weer terug te keren als ‘vreedzame hereniging’. De naam van de huidige overkoepelde strategie voor Taiwan is ‘vreedzame ontwikkeling’ en die staat er nog gewoon in.
Wel is de focus op de ‘fundamentele belangen het Chinese volk’ i.p.v. ‘het welzijn van de compatriotten aan beide kanten van de Straat’ en het ‘standvastig zijn in het voorstuwen van de grote zaak van nationale hereniging’ een teken dat Peking actiever zal optreden.
Van onmiddellijker praktisch belang voor de uitvoerende organen is de door Bishop aangewezen verschuiving in de tekst van de eerdere Conferentie voor Taiwan Werk van het passievere ‘oppose’ 反对 naar het actievere ‘combat’ 打击.
Wang Yi 王
Chinese foreign minister accuses US of devising tactics to suppress China despite improvement in relations – AP
China pledges to deepen Russia ties and criticises US ‘obsession’ with suppressing Beijing – The Guardian
Chinese foreign minister takes swipes at the US but also makes ‘direct appeal’ for cooperation – SCMP
China’s ‘two sessions’ 2024: foreign supporters of Taiwan independence warned they will ‘get burned for playing with fire and taste a bitter fruit’ – SCMP
‘Disgrace for civilisation’: China repeats call for Gaza ceasefire, peace talks on Middle East and Ukraine – SCMP
‘The next China is still China’: top diplomat pushes back against negative foreign sentiment – SCMP
China and Russia set new paradigm for major-country relations, says foreign minister – Xinhua 🇷🇺
Anyone [lees: Amerika] undermining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula will pay heavy price, says Chinese foreign minister – Xinhua 🇰🇵
China looks forward to jointly creating shining ‘South moment’ in global governance, says foreign minister – Xinhua
Filipijnen 🇵🇭🇨🇳
South China Sea collision not reason to invoke defence treaty with US, says Philippine president – Reuters
Wat zou gelden als een gewapende aanval van China op de Filipijnen is erg belangrijk, vanwege het wederzijdse verdedigingsverdrag tussen de Filipijnen en de Verenigde Staten.
Philippines says China ‘deliberately stirring up trouble’ in South China Sea – Reuters
China urges US to stop using Philippines as a pawn to destabilise South China Sea – Xinhua
ASEAN and Australia call for an end to destabilising actions in the South China Sea – Reuters 🇦🇺
Taipei criticises China’s actions after Filipinos hurt – Taipei Times 🇹🇼
US diplomat criticises China for using coercion and intimidation as it presses maritime claims – AP 🇺🇸
Tech War 💽💥
EU set to allow possible retroactive tariffs for Chinese EVs – Reuters: ‘The European Commission will start customs registration of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) imports on Thursday, meaning they could be hit by tariffs from that point if the EU’s trade investigation later concludes that they are receiving unfair subsidies.’ 🇪🇺
A Chinese directive known as Document 79 expands a drive that is muscling US technology out of the country. Some refer to it as ‘Delete A’—for Delete America. – WSJ: ‘It requires state-owned companies in finance, energy and other sectors to replace foreign software in their IT systems by 2027.’ 🇺🇸
A congressional investigation into China-built cranes deployed at US ports uncovers installed cellular modems able to provide remote access – WSJ: ‘communications equipment that doesn’t appear to support normal operations’ ‘intended for a “mobile diagnostic and monitoring” service the port didn’t enroll in.’ 🇺🇸
TikTok crackdown bill unanimously approved by US House panel – Reuters 🇺🇸
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
Australië trekt samen met landen in Zuidoost-Azië op tegen China – NRC 🇦🇺
Japan and South Korea join France space force drills for first time – Nikkei Asia: ‘along with teams from the European Union and NATO partners’ 🇯🇵🇰🇷
Google opens cyberdefence hub in Tokyo – Nikkei Asia 🇯🇵
Japan, India top diplomats vow closer ties amid China’s rise – Kyodo News 🇯🇵
Weekend 🏖️📚
China’s excess savings are a danger – Martin Wolf for FT: ‘If the savings rate remains where it is and the investment rate duly falls, the “solution” will then be a rise in the current account surplus as savings flow abroad.’
China wants to weaken, not replace, the US in the Middle East – Yun Sun for Foreign Policy
Microsoft’s China business is going strong years after Google fled, but success has meant maintaining Beijing’s great firewall – Bloomberg Businessweek
How China came to dominate the world in solar energy – The New York Times
The mysterious rise of the Chinese ecommerce giant behind Temu – FT
The geopolitical waters are turbulent but don’t count China out yet – Bert Hofman and Frank Pieke in The Straits Times
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
Ex-werknemer Google steelt AI-geheimen voor Chinese bedrijven – FD 🇺🇸
US Army intelligence analyst charged with selling military secrets to China – Reuters 🇺🇸
Beijing has impeded efforts to increase academic exchanges, US State Department officials say – SCMP 🇺🇸
India’s Jaishankar blames China for not observing longstanding written agreements – Hindustan Times 🇮🇳
India frees up thousands of soldiers to strengthen its disputed border with China – Bloomberg 🇮🇳
Vanuatu police, aided by US Coast Guard, say Chinese vessels violated fishing laws – Reuters 🇻🇺
Michael Spavor reaches settlement with Canadian government over detention in China – CBC News 🇨🇦
China economie
China’s central government is ready to load up on debt to help the economy – WSJ: ‘Beijing is taking a bigger role in funding growth after local governments took on too much debt’
Chinese export stijgt harder dan verwacht – FD
Morgan Stanley cuts 9% of China fund unit staff amid market rout, sources say – Reuters
Hong Kong
Hong Kong fast tracks new security law on apparent Beijing prodding – Nikkei Asia
Hong Kong official says city won’t ban popular messaging apps in response to Article 23 consultation suggestions – Bloomberg
Calls grow for release of transgender activist held in Hong Kong – RFA
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
Taiwan to counter ‘first moves’ by Chinese aircraft and vessels, says defence minister – Focus Taiwan: ‘The military’s definition of a “first shot” by People’s Liberation Army (PLA) forces has evolved to a “first move” involving Chinese aircraft or vessels “crossing the boundary,” which will be “countered” by the armed forces, Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) said Thursday.’ 🇨🇳
China steps up grey-zone warfare to exhaust Taiwan, defence ministry report says – Reuters 🇨🇳
Taiwan-China negotiations on fatal Kinmen boat collision collapse – Focus Taiwan: ‘Chinese officials “insisted on making demands that did not comply with (Taiwan’s) legal system,” the [Taiwan Coast guard] said of the case’ ‘The agency has said it does not have video footage of the incident, and only admitted on Feb. 22 — eight days after it occurred — that there had been a collision.’ 🇨🇳
US Congress Foreign Affairs Committee chair Michael McCaul to attend Taiwanese president-elect Lai Ching-te 賴清德’s inauguration in May – Taipei Times 🇺🇸
Some Taiwanese conscripts to be trained by US military personnel, says defence minister – Focus Taiwan: ‘confirmed media reports about the participation last year of troops […] in U.S. training programs.’ 🇺🇸
Taiwan’s Air Force set to conduct rare overnight drills Wednesday – Focus Taiwan
Embassy staff and Taiwanese in Haiti safe, foreign ministry says – Taipei Times 🇭🇹
Taiwan binnenland en economie
DPP city councillors accuse Keelung Mayor George Hsieh 謝國樑 (KMT) of using family business to fund recall appeals against them – Taipei Times
Context: beschuldigingen aan de burgemeester van oneigenlijke zakelijke transacties.
KMT says penalties for contempt of the legislature and giving false testimony needed – Taipei Times
Gender equality amendments to take effect on Women’s Day – Focus Taiwan
Indian migrant workers to be introduced on ‘small scale’, labour minister says – Focus Taiwan