De Chinese Wouden, woensdag 11 september: China en Rusland
Grote beschuldigingen van de VS aan China. De militaire samenwerking tussen Rusland en China zou verder gaan dan eerder publiek bekend was. Het resultaat zou Rusland gevaarlijker maken in Europa en China in Azië. Daarom zou Washington ook graag zien dat Europa zijn zorgen tegen China duidelijker uitspreekt.
Ondertussen kwam Mario Draghi met een ander rapport over de grootste zorgen die nu in Brussel leven over Europa: hoe relevant zijn de landen van de Europese Unie nog over enkele jaren?
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
ASML needs licence to service some equipment in China, Dutch government says – Reuters: ‘The clarification follows confusion over whether the Dutch government is planning additional servicing restrictions on ASML, […], which the ministry indicated is not the case.’ 🇳🇱
Nu snap ik het nog niet.
‘Een delegatie volksvertegenwoordigers uit Taiwan is op bezoek in Nederland. Zij spraken vandaag met leden van de commissie Buitenlandse Zaken.’ – BuZa Tweede Kamer, Twitter 🇳🇱
Opinie: Westen moet op China alerter reageren dan het bij Rusland deed – Sjoerd Sjoerdsma in het FD: „De signalen van zwakte pompen lucht in de wielen van Xi’s zelfvertrouwen en ongenaakbaarheid. Als hij constateert dat wij het toch niet serieus menen, past hij dezelfde les toe als zijn Russische bondgenoot: ik kan gewoon mijn gang gaan.” 🇳🇱
US accuses China of giving ‘very substantial’ help to Russia’s war machine – POLITICO Europe: ‘“These are not dual-use capabilities,” Campbell said, referring to the latest materials China is giving Russia. “These are basically being applied directly to the Russian war machine.”’
‘In exchange for Beijing’s help, Russia has started giving China submarine, missile and other sensitive technologies.’ 🇷🇺
US says Russia helping China develop military technologies – FT: ‘submarine, aeronautic and missile technologies in exchange for Beijing’s support for Moscow’s war against Ukraine.’ 🇷🇺
US urges Europe to raise disquiet over China-Russia defence ties – Reuters 🇷🇺🇺🇸
China says to hold military drills with Russia this month – AFP: ‘Naval and air forces will take part in the North-Joint 2024 exercises in the skies and around the Sea of Japan and Sea of Okhotsk, off Russia’s coast’
‘The two sides will send naval fleets to “relevant sea areas of the Pacific Ocean” for a joint maritime patrol, and China will also participate in Russia’s “Ocean-2024“ strategic exercise, it added.’ 🇷🇺
Russia begins massive naval drills together with China – AP 🇷🇺
Army chief: German warship route via Taiwan would not be provocation – dpa: ‘The inspector general of the Bundeswehr, Carsten Breuer, said during a visit to Seoul that “I don’t think we risk provoking China, but rather the other way around. It is precisely this international law that is being called into question by the perception and the issues that China is introducing.”’ 🇩🇪
China’s new ambassador to Germany Deng Hongbo pledges to seek common ground – SCMP 🇩🇪
China’s Xi and visiting Spain’s Sanchez seek to ease EU-China trade disputes – Reuters: ‘Prior to meeting Xi, Sanchez told business events Spain would work for a negotiated consensus to the EV dispute within the World Trade Organization and that a “trade war would benefit no one,” a government source said.’ 🇪🇸
Xi meets Spanish prime minister – Xinhua 🇪🇸
China’s Envision Energy plans to develop a US$1 billion green hydrogen industrial park in Spain to help the European nation reach its greenhouse gas reduction goals – Bloomberg 🇪🇸
China’s Xi seeks ‘friendly’ cooperation with Norway on green energy – Reuters: ‘Regarding the Ukraine crisis, Xi told Stoere that he hoped all parties would work to create “favourable” conditions for a political resolution through dialogue, CCTV reported.’ 🇳🇴
Chinese premier holds talks with Norwegian prime minister – Xinhua 🇳🇴
Pro-Russian hackers launch DDoS attack over President Lai comments, according to cybersecurity firm – Taipei Times: ‘Only the Hsinchu Local Tax Bureau site appeared to be down earlier in the day, but was back up by the afternoon.’ 🇷🇺
New representative Langerbeck touts Taiwan plans at German office – Taipei Times 🇩🇪
Handel 🚗🇪🇺
China trade officials visit Brussels seeking deal to nix European Union’s EV tariffs – SCMP: ‘The group met with senior European Union counterparts on Monday, according to several sources, and was led by vice-commerce minister Li Fei, one source said.’ 🇪🇺
The European Union is set to make small downward tweak to the additional tariff rates proposed for electric vehicles that Tesla Inc. and other carmakers import from China, sources say – Bloomberg 🇪🇺
China proposes negotiations with EU to resolve EV tariff dispute – Reuters 🇪🇺
Problemen bij Northvolt laten crisis zien in batterijsector – NRC 🇪🇺
Als Europa niet meer innoveert, volgt een „langzame doodsstrijd”, zegt Mario Draghi – NRC: „Europa raakt snel achterop bij de Verenigde Staten en lijdt onder de concurrentie van China. De achterstand is inmiddels zo nijpend dat het vergrijzende Europa belangrijke uitdagingen zoals de energietransitie en een zelfstandige collectieve verdediging op termijn niet aankan.” 🇪🇺
EU moet heilige huisjes afbreken, zegt Draghi. Hoe nu verder? – FD 🇪🇺
The future of European competitiveness: A competitiveness strategy for Europe – Mario Draghi for the European Commission 🇪🇺
De onmiddellijk negatieve reacties van de Nederlandse en Duitse ministers Heinen en Lindner laten zien dat de landelijke politiek in die landen de schaal mist om te serieus na te denken op het niveau van Europa in de wereld. Zoals hieronder Breaking Beijing schrijft over het Amerikaanse defensiebeleid, vraag ik me hier af of de EU-lidstaten wel écht doorhebben in wat voor wereld we nu leven.
Carmakers adjust electrification plans as EV demand slows – Reuters
China’s August EV take-up rises to 53.9% as more owners pick batteries over petrol engines – SCMP
China’s auto sales dip 5% in August, down for 3rd straight month – Nikkei Asia
Cover Story: Chinese solar giants’ shine fades amid growing product glut – Caixin Global: ‘embarked on rapid expansion in recent years to grab nearly 95% of global production capacity.’
China dominates global supply of solar panels and wind turbines – Nikkei Asia
How China and a tariffs row cast a shadow over booming US solar power – The Guardian 🇺🇸
As cheap Chinese imports flood Southeast Asia, industries struggle to stay afloat – SCMP: ‘Across Southeast Asia, a tidal wave of cheap Chinese imports is swamping local industries, leaving devastation and joblessness in its wake.’
‘Yet Thongyu warns that critical sectors of the Thai economy — logistics, in particular — have already slipped into Chinese hands, with what’s being called “zero dollar transport”. This term describes a circular economy in which Chinese front companies pay Chinese suppliers — often using untaxed, potentially illicit funds — to move goods in Chinese-owned trucks.’
‘Chinese exporters are aggressively targeting Southeast Asia, driven by waning domestic demand and rising trade barriers in US and European markets, Malaysian economics professor Yeah said.’
Indonesia aims to woo Chinese investment in solar, EV, and battery production – Caixin Global 🇮🇩
Een groot deel van de elite van de regio heeft grote verwachtingen van de banden met China, sommigen worden er zelf ook rijk van. Maar als de eigen bevolking er onder gaat lijden – net op een moment dat er groeiende welvaart in het vooruitzicht is – dan kan dat tot grote spanningen leiden. De eerste slachtoffers zouden waarschijnlijk de lokale etnisch Chinese minderheden zijn die in het verleden vaker een makkelijk doelwit waren voor volksmenners.
Tech War 💽🇺🇸
Huawei 华为 racks up 3 mln pre-orders for tri-fold phone before Apple’s iPhone 16 reveal – Reuters
Tech war: China’s chip industry becomes key breeding ground for unicorns, report says – SCMP
Taiwan to step up cooperation with Czechia on semiconductors, senior official says – Focus Taiwan: ‘At a time when Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is building a wafer fab in Dresden, Germany, a Germany-Czechia-Poland silicon triangle is forming, Kung said’ 🇨🇿
TSMC 台積電’s August sales hit 2nd monthly high – Focus Taiwan
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
China to train 3,000 more overseas police officers as it seeks to cement role as global security provider – AFP: ‘The annual Lianyungang conference is seen as part of the Global Security Initiative (GSI) proposed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in 2022’
Ik moet denken aan een artikel in Foreign Affairs een tijd terug, wat uitlegde dat de VS zich verkopen als een ‘external security provider’ zijn die landen helpt tegen militaire dreigingen terwijl China zich aantrekkelijk maakt aan bepaalde landen als een ‘internal security provider’ die kan helpen tegen binnenlandse, politieke dreigingen.
China’s Y-20 MRT aircraft makes waves at Egypt air show; Beijing eyes big defence deals in MENA region – The Eurasian Times 🇪🇬
US and Britain stress unity towards China as new strategic dialogue opens in London – SCMP 🇺🇸🇬🇧
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
Top US and Chinese military brass hold first call to stabilise ties – Reuters: ‘held theatre-level commander talks for the first time on Tuesday’ 🇺🇸
Head of US think tank Analysis of Global Security Gal Luft to be extradited from Cyprus on China agent charges – Reuters 🇺🇸🇨🇾
US House votes to bar new DJI 大疆创新 drones as ‘China week’ gets underway – Reuters 🇺🇸
US bill to restrict business with China’s WuXi AppTec 药明康德 and BGI 华大集团 passes House – Reuters 🇺🇸
US Congress passes Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act as warning to CCP – Focus Taiwan 🇺🇸
The Potemkin Village of NatSec Policy –
China en de VS zouden de vernietigende drug fentanyl aanpakken, maar wantrouwen staat ze in de weg – Trouw 🇺🇸
China’s People’s Daily says ties with Philippines at a crossroads over South China Sea – Reuters 🇵🇭
坚决维护《南海各方行为宣言》的严肃性(钟声) – 《人民日报》(2024年09月09日 第15版):“当前,中菲关系站在十字路口,面临何去何从的选择。冲突对抗没有出路,对话协商才是正道。菲方应认真思考中菲关系未来之路,同中方相向而行,推动双边关系早日重回正轨。” 🇵🇭
Dit commentaar in het Volksdagblad onder de gezaghebbende pennaam ‘Zhong Sheng’ valt op door de nadruk die het legt op de acties van de Filipijnen zelf. Slechts in de voorlaatste paragraaf komt de gebruikelijker veroordeling van de ‘buitenregionale macht’ (lees: de VS) waarvan Manila zich een proxy zou hebben gemaakt.
Singapore-China relations a ‘bright spot’ in volatile world, says foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan in meeting with Wáng Yì 王毅 – The Straits Times 🇸🇬
China and Singapore must boost coordination as ‘stabilising forces’, foreign minister Wáng Yì 王毅 says – SCMP 🇸🇬
Indian foreign minister Jaishankar says ‘not closed to business from China’ – Reuters 🇮🇳
Opinion: India’s diplomacy has a ‘S. Jaishankar problem’ – Wang Daming for The Global Times (deleted) via archive.is 🇮🇳
Saudi Arabia ‘open’ to petroyuan and closer China ties, industry minister says – SCMP 🇸🇦
UN peacekeeping should not interfere with domestic affairs: Chinese envoy – Xinhua: ‘Fu noted that the United Nations has deployed peacekeeping operations in Haiti on several occasions, but none of them has proven effective. “It is clear that Haiti, under the current circumstances, does not have the conditions for the deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation.”’ 🇺🇳🇭🇹
China writes off more interest-free loans to Africa, but is the move just symbolic? – SCMP: ‘observers say the relief addresses only a small fraction of the overall debt burden on those countries.’
Thieves snatched his phone in London—it was in China a month later – BBC News: ‘It is not uncommon for stolen phones to end up in Shenzhen — where if devices can’t be unlocked and used again, they are disassembled for parts.’
China economie
China exports remain robust in August while imports soften – Nikkei Asia
‘Deflation concerns’ remain as China’s consumer inflation misses expectations – SCMP
China’s exports likely slowed further in August as trade tensions mount: Reuters poll – Reuters
China binnenland
Explainer: How to understand China’s draft decision on gradually raising statutory retirement age – Xinhua: ‘Currently, the retirement age in China for men is 60, while it is 55 for women cadres and 50 for women blue-collar workers.’
Noodzakelijk maar erg pijnlijk.
China’s top legislature starts standing committee session – Xinhua
Xinhua Headlines: Xi stresses building China into leading country in education – Xinhua
China’s brand new space port damaged by Super Typhoon Yagi – SCMP
China’s 7-0 soccer humiliation against Japan reflects deep problems – Nikkei Asia
Levenslange schorsingen voor betrokkenen matchfixing in China – ANP
Hong Kong
Exclusive: Executives of Jimmy Lai’s Hong Kong media firm mount legal challenge under OECD rules against accounting firm BDO – Reuters: ‘alleging BDO improperly “acted as a quasi-governmental agency at the behest of the (Hong Kong government), with no judicial oversight” to shut down Lai's media enterprise’
Hong Kong halts further import of non-local construction workers after allegations of exploitation – HKFP
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
Taiwan’s government budgets NT$42.8 billion [€1.2bn] for advanced F-16V EW systems – Focus Taiwan: ‘the package did not appear in previous spending plans submitted by the MND for fiscal years 2022-2024, indicating it was likely funded by covert appropriations.’
Bij alle aankondigingen over de defensiebegrotingen vraag ik mij af of het überhaupt door het parlement komt, waar de KMT en TPP samen een meerderheid hebben.
Taiwanese pilot rescued after parachuting out of Mirage 2000 – Focus Taiwan: ‘after his aircraft apparently lost power over waters off Hsinchu County on Tuesday night’
Oud materieel.
Harbour acceptance test of indigenous sub under 60 per cent complete, Taiwanese navy says – Focus Taiwan: ‘work to test and improve the vessel remains on schedule despite recent setbacks’
De oppositie blijft het onderzeebootproject aanvallen.
President Lai meets Hoover Institution delegation – Taipei Times 🇺🇸
Taiwan binnenland en economie
TPP leader Ko Wen-je 柯文哲 will not appeal detention ruling, lawyers say – Focus Taiwan: ‘TPP lawmaker Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) said at the rally that “The Lai government will not let him go.” There is no evidence that Lai has had any involvement in the anti-corruption case conducted by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office.’
Core Pacific complied with procedures, but its legality up to the courts, mayor says – Taipei Times
KMT expected to continue with efforts to freeze Taiwan’s Constitutional Court – New Bloom: ‘the terms of seven of the fifteen justices are set to end in October.’
Taiwan firms less worried about possible US-China war compared with 2022 – SCMP