De Chinese Wouden, woensdag 26 maart: EU-China, wereldhandelsoorlog, Japan
De bijeenkomst tussen de Chinese, Japanse en Zuid-Koreaanse ministers van buitenlandse zaken is nog maar net afgelopen, met o.a. het plan om eindelijk weer een top van leiders bijeen te roepen. Nu komt naar buiten dat de Chinese kustwacht een recordaanwezigheid heeft neergezet in de wateren rond de door Japan gecontroleerde Senkaku-eilanden. Deze betwiste eilanden – door Taiwan geclaimd als de Diaoyutai-eilanden en door China als onderdeel van Taiwan onder de naam Diaoyu-eilanden – blijven een pijn- én signaalpunt.
De timing zo kort na de top valt op. Op die bijeenkomst herhaalde minister Wang Yi de waarschuwingen aan Japan van zijn recente persconferentie. Een commentaar van staatspersbureau Xinhua riep Japan op tot meer positieve actie. Dit staat in contrast met vriendelijkere behandeling van een Zuid-Korea, dat momenteel in politieke onrust verkeert en weer een meer positieve houding aan zou kunnen t.o.v. Peking.
Er was veel aandacht in de internationale pers voor een artikel in de South China Morning Post over een Chinese onderzeekabelknipper. China zou een nieuw wapen onthuld hebben. Ik wil daar nog even op terugkomen. In realiteit ging het om een uitvinding van een onderzoekscentrum. Relevant en hun lab is weliswaar verbonden aan de staat en ik zou me ook zorgen maken als ik Taiwan of Japan was, maar dat wil niet zeggen dat de fabriek al bezig is voor de Chinese vloot (of dat Peking niet nu al bezig is met kabels beschadigen rond Taiwan d.m.v. ouderwets saaie ankers).
De Hongkongse krant SCMP, eigendom van Alibaba Group, blijft nog altijd onmisbaar voor EU-China en Chinese politiek, maar is op bepaalde vlakken niet of steeds minder betrouwbaar. Naast groeiend meebuigen met Peking op voorspelbare onderwerpen als Taiwan (denk: vooral China-vriendelijke invalshoek) of de Oost- en Zuid-Chinese Zee (denk: herhalen van werk van Chinese beïnvloedingsclub SCSPI) betreft dat ook de onverantwoorde gewoonte om allerlei wetenschappelijke en technologische aankondigingen met luid gejuich onkritisch door te zetten als het laatste wonderwapen van China.
In ieder geval bericht staatspersbureau Xinhua over een nieuw rapport waarin de Chinese Academie voor Informatie- en Communicatietechnologie enthousiast schrijft over de Chinese dominante is constructie en ‘bescherming’ van onderzeese kabels. Xinhua kwam ook met een eigen commentaar om deze boodschap nog eens te herhalen en zich uit te spreken tegen de ‘leugens’ van spionagegevaar.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Wie in het buitenland webshopt, doet dat voor het eerst het vaakst in China – NRC: „Tegelijkertijd plaatst haar organisatie een stevige kanttekening bij de cijfers: op het totale webwinkelplaatje blijft het Chinese aandeel bescheiden. […] Ten Ham: ‘Het gaat om de snelheid van de groei, het tempo waarmee de markt betreden wordt door Chinese partijen.’”
„Toezichthouders en de douane klagen dat die toestroom voor hen niet bij te houden is.” 🇳🇱
„Denk twee keer na voor je uit China koopt”, zei minister en toch doen we dat massaal – AD 🇳🇱
Justitie verdenkt Huawei 华为-lobbyisten van betaling van steekpenningen aan Europarlementariërs – Follow the Money: „betalen voor het ondertekenen van een brief waarin ze waarschuwden dat Huawei en andere Chinese leveranciers uitsluiten van 5G-netwerken neerkomt op ‘technologisch racisme’.”
„Volgens het arrestatiebevel zouden de geldtransfers die bedoeld waren om de omkoping te verhullen ‘zijn goedgekeurd door de Chinese leidinggevenden van Huawei, met name Abraham Liu,’ die destijds vicevoorzitter van het bedrijf voor de Europese regio was en de belangrijkste vertegenwoordiger voor de EU.” 🇪🇺
Chinesischer Konzern unter Bestechungsverdacht: Huaweis geheimes Polit-Netzwerk – Der Spiegel: „Der Haftbefehl zitiert aus einem Gespräch mit einem weiteren Huawei-Lobbyisten aus Polen. Darin soll O. behauptet haben, der chinesische Konzern überschreite Grenzen und zahle für Gesetzesänderungen.“ 🇪🇺
Why banning Huawei 华为 people from the EU institutions is harder than it seems – Euractiv 🇪🇺
opleving EU-China 🇪🇺
Trump-battered Europe eyes China with launch of diplomatic flurry to Beijing – SCMP: ‘suggesting that after months of being used as Trump’s political punching bag, capitals in Europe’s south are shopping for alternatives.’ ‘But in Brussels, a different view of how to tackle China appears to be winning out.’
‘Efforts to convince Chinese officials that they have an “open goal” in repairing ties with Europe have fallen on deaf ears, as have fresh efforts to engage them on Russia.’ 🇪🇺
French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot to visit China – Xinhua 🇫🇷
China seeks stronger ties with Europe, Wáng Yì 王毅 says in meeting with Portugal’s foreign minister – Reuters: ‘“China regards Europe as an important pole in a multipolar world, and supports Europe in maintaining its strategic autonomy [van de VS…],” Wang said.’ 🇵🇹
China’s top legislator Zhào Lèjì 赵乐际 holds talks with Italy’s Senate president – Xinhua: ‘key to the healthy and steady development of China-Italy relations is the commitment of both sides to mutual respect’ 🇮🇹
Opinion: China’s economy with promising prospects: pursuing progress while ensuring stability – Ambassador Cai Run for Euractiv (Supported by Mission of China to the EU) 🇪🇺
Oekraïne 🇺🇦
Foreign ministry denies China considering participation in Ukraine peacekeeping mission – Kyiv Independent: ‘spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing that the claims were completely untrue.’ 🇺🇦
Brenger van de claim Die Welt is natuurlijk wel onderdeel van Axel Springer…
Putin gets a soft power win from China's Russian grocery craze – Bloomberg: ‘The buzz around Brand Russia on high streets from Shenzhen to Urumqi is giving new visibility to a relationship that now generates $245 billion of bilateral trade per year — a haul that exceeds China’s business with Germany and Brazil.’ 🇷🇺
overige
Labour accused of turning ‘blind eye to slavery’ over solar panels made in China – The Guardian: ‘ordering Labour MPs to remove legal protections to stop money being spent by state-owned Great British Energy on solar panels manufactured by forced labour in China.’ 🇬🇧
Wereldhandelsoorlog 📉💥
EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič travels to US and China in last-ditch effort to avert trade war – Euractiv 🇪🇺
Italian and Chinese shareholders in Pirelli clash over governance – Reuters: ‘with the Chinese investor potentially a hurdle for the Italian tyremaker’s plans to do more business in the United States.’ 🇮🇹
The White House has narrowed April 2 tariffs – WSJ 🇺🇸
Proposed China ship fee sparks clash with lawmakers; US businesses say they hurt already – SCMP 🇺🇸
China’s private refiners are facing yet another setback as the Trump administration imposes a 25% tariff any buyer of Venezuelan oil and gas – Bloomberg 🇺🇸
Some Chinese steel mills have begun cutting production, according to a report, as a supply glut and low profitability weigh on the industry – Bloomberg 🇺🇸
Chinese robot makers set sights on US amid Trump’s onshoring push – Nikkei Asia 🇺🇸
China’s vice premier Hé Lìfēng 何立峰 meets Blackstone chairman Stephen Schwarzman in Beijing – Reuters 🇺🇸
Chinese commerce minister Wáng Wéntāo 王文涛 meets president of Boeing Global Brendan Nelson – Xinhua 🇺🇸
Canada files WTO trade action against Chinese agriculture and fishery duties – AFP 🇨🇦
Japan to put 95.2% anti-dumping duty on China graphite electrodes from Saturday – Reuters 🇯🇵
US tariffs looming, India looks at easing non-trade barriers and relaxing Chinese FDI – The Indian Express 🇮🇳
China unveils guidelines on furthering trade policy compliance with WTO rules – Xinhua
Techoorlog 💽💥
Gemeente Eindhoven is de nieuwe huurbaas van Brainport, waar studenten en bestuurders samen een boterham eten – NRC: „Daarmee moet BIC de grote broer worden van de bekendere High Tech Campus (HTC).” „de HTC in handen viel van het Singaporese staatsfonds GIC. De angst was dat Singapore strategische technologische informatie zou doorspelen aan China.” 🇳🇱
Hoezo zou Singapore informatie doorspelen naar China?! Je kunt best een gesprek voeren over de wenselijkheid van de verkoop van zoiets of het politieke systeem van de koper, maar Singapore is een eigen land en heeft zelf wetten aangenomen als reactie op eigen zorgen over China.
MEPs urge the Commission to propose a Chips Act 2.0 – Euractiv 🇪🇺
Malaysian government to crack down on Nvidia chip flows under US pressure – FT: ‘formed a task force with digital minister Gobind Singh Deo to tighten regulations around Malaysia’s burgeoning data centres industry, which relies on chips from industry leader Nvidia.’
‘Nvidia’s Singapore office accounts for nearly a quarter of its global sales, raising suspicions in Washington that some of the chips are leaking into China.’ 🇲🇾🇸🇬🇺🇸
China’s SiCarrier 新凯来技术 emerges as challenger to ASML and other chip tool titans – Nikkei Asia: ‘Shenzhen SiCarrier Technologies, backed by the Shenzhen government, has been developing equipment in chip fabrication and has set machines from companies such as ASML, Applied Materials and Lam Research as its benchmark, sources briefed on the matter said. […] SiCarrier has been working closely with Huawei’s growing team of specialists in chip production and chip equipment making, multiple sources with knowledge of the matter said.’
Japan back-end chip companies form alliance to upgrade supply chain – Nikkei Asia 🇯🇵
Exclusive: Some US allies and major tech companies, including Nvidia, are urging Trump to loosen AI chip curbs before May 15 compliance deadline – Bloomberg: ‘One option not currently being considered at the staff level, two people said, is a wholesale repeal.’ 🇺🇸
Unaffected by EU’s tariffs on EVs, China’s hybrid-vehicle exports surge to bloc – SCMP: ‘if PHEV exports continue to climb, analysts say, hybrids could similarly find themselves in the tariff crosshairs.’ 🇪🇺
In China, BMW bemoans EU tariffs and seeks compromise with policy changes – SCMP: ‘Green, meanwhile, laments the “challenging” business environment for automakers in China, where profitability levels have come into question.’ 🇩🇪🇪🇺
In vijf minuten de batterij vol: nog nooit kwam opladen zo dicht bij tanken. Kan BYD 比亚迪 het echt? – NRC
BYD 比亚迪 launches a ‘Model 3 killer’ EV in China for half the price of Tesla’s top-selling car – SCMP
China Focus: Report highlights China’s role in international communication submarine cable construction and protection – Xinhua
Xinhua Commentary: China constructs and protects submarine cable system in inclusive internet quest – Xinhua
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
Xinhua Headlines: Calls for closer cooperation resonate at Bo'ao Forum for Asia amid global uncertainties – Xinhua: ‘As a key pillar of Asia’s development, China is pivotal to rebalancing globalization, inclusive growth and regional economic integration, said Zhang Jun, secretary general of the Boao Forum for Asia.’
Australia fast-tracks defence spending to counter China pressure – Nikkei Asia 🇦🇺
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
China Coast Guard ships stay in Japanese territorial waters off Senkaku/Diaoyutai Islands for record time; break previous record of roughly 80 hours –The Yomiuri Shimbun: ‘The two vessels were equipped with naval guns.’ 🇯🇵
Chinese activity near Senkaku/Diaoyutai Islands ‘escalating’, Japan’s foreign minister says – Kyodo News 🇯🇵
Chinese coast guard expels Japanese vessels for unlawfully entering waters of Diaoyu Dao – Xinhua 🇯🇵
Xinhua Commentary: More joint efforts needed to sustain positive momentum in China-Japan ties – Xinhua: ‘Respecting […] commitments, including those on historical issues and Taiwan, will help prevent political differences from overshadowing cooperation.’ 🇯🇵
China moves to improve ties with South Korea, starting with tourism and K-pop – SCMP 🇰🇷
Chinese government issues regulations to boost implementation of anti-sanctions law – SCMP: ‘Any foreign country seen to be adopting discriminatory restrictive measures against Chinese organisations and citizens, interfering in China’s internal affairs, or endangering its sovereignty may be subject to countermeasures.’
China unveils regulation on implementing anti-foreign sanctions law – Xinhua: ‘Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree to unveil the regulation on implementing the anti-foreign sanctions law, comprising 22 articles, set to take effect on Monday.’
De ‘anti-sanctieswet’ is dus in de Orwelliaanse praktijk de grondslag voor Chinese sancties, die braaf ‘tegenmaatregelen’ heten.
Exclusive: Secretive Chinese network tries to lure fired US federal workers, research shows – Reuters: ‘Reuters reported earlier this month that some U.S. government workers with top security clearances were not given standard exit briefings which, in part, cover what to do if approached by foreign adversaries.’ 🇺🇸
China’s foreign ministry urges US to stop using global supply chain to carry out malicious cyber activities – Xinhua: ‘according to the [Chinese] report, the U.S. government has taken advantage of its monopoly in telecommunication technology and in the upstream of the industrial and supply chains’ 🇺🇸
Chinese foreign ministry denies claims of former Philippine president Duterte seeking asylum – Xinhua: ‘Guo emphasized that certain claims from so-called “informed sources” are either fabricated or driven by ulterior motives.’ 🇵🇭
Dat kan ook betekenen dat Duterte ervan weerhouden is een aanvraag in te dienen.
Philippines’ defence and security cooperation should not target or harm any third party, foreign ministry spokesperson says – Xinhua 🇵🇭
Zelfde logica als Russische klachten over Oost-Europa.
China and Thailand to hold joint maritime exercise – Xinhua: ‘near Zhanjiang, in south China’s Guangdong Province’ 🇹🇭
Thai officials secretly planned to deport Uyghurs while making repeated public denials – AP: ‘China sent a formal request to repatriate the Uyghurs on Jan. 8, according to records of a parliamentary inquiry’ 🇹🇭
Laos signs US$1.45 billion clean energy deal with Chinese power firm – Reuters 🇱🇦
Singapore DPM Heng Swee Keat 王瑞杰 kicks off China visit, meets Party diplomat Liú Jiànchāo 刘建超 in Beijing – The Straits Times 🇸🇬
India and China discuss cross-border cooperation and Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage – Hindustan Times: ‘at a meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on border affairs in Beijing on Tuesday.’ 🇮🇳
Nigeria courts Chinese investment as interest booms in oil, gas, and bigger opportunities – SCMP 🇳🇬
China economie
China’s finance minister Lán Fó'ān 蓝佛安 vows more proactive fiscal policy at China Development Forum – Xinhua
China’s government appears in no rush to implement its budget, as Beijing preserves spending power to counter any damage inflicted by higher US tariffs – Bloomberg
Chinese government explores services subsidy to boost weak domestic demand – FT: ‘could be launched in the second half of this year if consumption continues to lag behind expectations’
China releases five Mintz employees from detention after 2 years – FT: ‘The releases on Tuesday come as Xi is courting foreign business leaders to attract investment’
For China’s private sector, Beijing’s long-sought decree seen as key to getting paid by local governments – SCMP: ‘Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree that regulates and guarantees payments owned to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)’
Defaulted Chinese developer Kaisa Group 佳兆业 won a Hong Kong court’s approval for its offshore restructuring, sources say, clearing the way for it to proceed with its debt plan – Bloomberg
A key creditor of defaulted Chinese builder Sunac China 融创中国 told a Hong Kong court that the company hasn’t offered any terms for a new offshore restructuring, despite saying that it intended to pursue such a plan – Bloomberg
China’s ‘red circle’ law firms snap up partners from US rivals – FT: ‘More than a dozen US law firms such as Latham & Watkins, Sidley Austin and Weil, Gotshal & Manges have closed offices in Beijing or Shanghai in recent months’
Economic Watch: Foreign brands benefit from China’s consumption stimulus – Xinhua: ‘Prominent foreign brand, Tesla, has benefited from such programs in the sale of its revised Model Y.’
China binnenland
Senior Chinese general Hé Wèidōng 何卫东 disappears in latest high-level political purge – The Washington Times: ‘One of the Chinese military’s two most senior leaders has disappeared from public view. U.S. intelligence agencies think he is the latest victim of a political purge in the upper ranks of the People’s Liberation Army, according to defense officials. […] disappeared from public view more than 10 days ago. His disappearance has been the subject of rumors for a week. Two officials confirmed that President Xi Jinping is purging Gen. He.’
🚨 Niet Post maar Times, een Trumpistische krant. Vergeet je korrels zout niet, maar gerucht gaat al langer rond. 🚨
Chinese government to maintain high pressure on corruption fugitives – Xinhua: ‘A campaign codenamed “Sky Net 2025” was launched on Monday to hunt down fugitives, recover illegal proceeds and combat cross-border corruption’
Chinese vice premier Dīng Xuēxiáng 丁薛祥 calls for solid progress in building Hainan Free Trade Port – Xinhua
Chinese vice premier Zhāng Guóqīng 张国清 calls for healthy development of platform economy – Xinhua: ‘He urged resolute efforts to tackle rat-race competition marked by low quality and low prices, and to foster a healthy ecosystem for the platform economy.’
China’s justice system in 2024 grows more opaque – Safeguard Defenders
Meeting on handling proposals from annual political advisory session held in Beijing – Xinhua
Chinese officials admit to toxic river leak after rare media reports – AFP
Hong Kong
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
Jailed publisher Fucha 富察 (Li Yanhe 李延賀)’s family silent due to CCP intimidation, source says – Tapei Times: ‘warned by Chinese officials not to make details about Li’s case public’ 🇨🇳
Ex-KMT official Huang Ching-hsien 黃清賢 to be probed over remarks in China – Taipei Times: ‘for allegedly claiming to represent Taiwanese when attending a symposium in China earlier this month that observed the 20th anniversary of the implementation of China’s “Anti-Secession” Law at which he said that the law is “the best medicine for unification,”’ 🇨🇳
Huang is ook degene die geholpen zou hebben bij de communicatie met Peking rond pogingen om Terry Gou (Foxconn) en Ko Wen-je (TPP) als presidents-/vicepresidentskandidaat te lanceren als Chinavriendelijke vervanging van Hou Yu-ih (KMT).
Taiwan Coast Guard counters China Coast Guard claims of ‘law enforcement’ near Kinmen – Focus Taiwan: ‘The Chinese ships entered restricted waters in four different places, prompting the deployment of four Taiwanese patrol boats, according to the CGA.’ 🇨🇳
Fujian coast guard conducts routine patrol of waters near Kinmen – Xinhua: ‘Since March, a Fujian coast guard fleet has been deployed to conduct continuous law enforcement patrols in the waters near Kinmen, enhancing maritime management.’ 🇨🇳
Ex-army captain charged with corruption sent back from Philippines to Taiwan – Focus Taiwan 🇵🇭
Former Thai political leader Pita Limjaroenrat (Move Forward) made visit to Taiwan – Focus Taiwan: ‘was in Taiwan last week for the Yushan Forum but it was not reported because of Pita’s desire to maintain a low profile at the event.’ 🇹🇭
Chunghwa Telecom 中華電信 joins consortium to build trans-Pacific undersea cable – Focus Taiwan: ‘it would help build the new cable, the “ETA system,” which will span around 12,500 kilometers and connect Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and the United States.’
China’s armed forces are more ready than ever to cut Taiwan off from the world and squeeze it into submission – WSJ: ‘“I think there’s general agreement both in the United States and Taiwan that if China wanted, it could quarantine or blockade Taiwan today,” said Bonny Lin, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.’
‘Most military experts agree that China’s armed forces aren’t ready for an amphibious invasion across the 110-mile-wide Taiwan Strait.’ 🇨🇳
Japanese think tank suspects delay in 2027 attack readiness plan concerning Taiwan; China’s Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 orders military to make up delay in 5-year plan – The Yomiuri Shimbun 🇨🇳
Stairway To Taiwan: The Chinese amphibious bridging system – Naval News: ‘Past activities and the present development illustrate how the PLA is actively pursuing innovative solutions enabling a flexible capability in support of a large scale amphibious operation squarely aimed at a Taiwanese contingency.’ 🇨🇳
Taiwanese shipbuilder unveils domestically produced unmanned surface vehicle ‘Endeavour Manta’ – Focus Taiwan
Taiwan’s Endeavor Manta drone boat breaks cover – The War Zone
Taiwan binnenland en economie
Finance committee passes KMT and TPP’s cash distribution proposal – Taipei Times: ‘mandate the distribution of cash payments to the public if tax revenues exceed budget projections by a set threshold.’
‘Based on the KMT proposals, even when tax revenues exceed the budget forecast but still fall short of expenditure, the government could be legally bound to borrow money to distribute as cash handouts, Juan said.’
Tegelijkertijd ramt de KMT grove bezuinigen door het parlement omdat er te weinig geld zou zijn.
Control Yuan submits petition to Constitutional Court over 2025 budget – Focus Taiwan: ‘the Control Yuan said that the Legislative Yuan’s “substantial” 96 percent cut to its operational expenses left the country’s highest supervisory body just NT$10 million [€280k] for the year.’
Hualien prosecutors question 11 people in recall probe – Taipei Times: ‘in relation to accusations that the [KMT-run] county government illegally sent representatives to people’s homes’
KMT referendum bills make progress through legislature’s vote – Focus Taiwan: ‘the referendum questions have questionable significance, as the government led by the DPP does not formally support abolishing the death penalty nor does it support imposing martial law.’
Pro-military annexation Chinese spouse Liu Zhenya 劉振亞 protests Taiwan deportation outside ministry – Focus Taiwan
Chinese spouse Liu Zhenya 劉振亞 leaves Taiwan hours before scheduled deportation – Focus Taiwan
Taiwanese legislature revokes press pass of [Beijing-friendly] New Party’s deputy secretary-general – Taipei Times: ‘after he insulted lawmakers while live streaming a legislative meeting on Friday last week.’
900 to participate in military-free Tainan civil defence drill – Focus Taiwan: ‘fire departments in nearby Kaohsiung and Chiayi and alternative service conscripts will also join.’
Taiwanese universities drop 86 degree programmes – Taipei Times: ‘educators attributing the closures to the nation’s low birthrate as well as shifting trends.’
Unemployment rises slightly from 3.30% to 3.34% – Taipei Times