De Chinese Wouden, woensdag 5 april: opinieoffensief Chinese ambassadeur voor reis Von der Leyen en Macron
Vandaag is Qingming in China, dus er komt geen persconferentie van het ministerie van buitenlandse zaken. Reacties op de gebeurtenissen in Californië zullen dus in delen komen.
De commissievergadering over China in de Tweede Kamer is weer uitgesteld.
Veel ruimte wordt ingenomen vandaag door alle stukken die Chinees ambassadeur bij de EU Fu Cong de wereld in heeft gestuurd. Of het veel zal veranderen voor het bezoek van Von der Leyen en Macron is de vraag; Fu blijft maar weer steeds dezelfde structurele argumenten herhalen zonder in te gaan op de zorgen die leven in Brussel. Interessanter is hoe de samenwerking tussen Macron en Von der Leyen gaat verlopen; volgens de berichtgeving zitten ze er beiden verschillend in.
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Vatican says China has unilaterally appointed bishop to Shanghai – Reuters: ‘in an apparent violation of a bilateral pact between the two states.’ 🇻🇦
EU’s foreign policy chief lashes out at China for support of Russia in Ukraine war – AP 🇪🇺
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell remarks to the press – US Department of State: ‘There is a clear expectation from a permanent member of the Security Council to stand up in defense of international rules-based order. And China has a moral duty to contribute to a fair peace. They cannot be siding with the aggressor. They cannot be militarily supporting the aggression.’ 🇪🇺🇺🇦
Brief regering: Uitvoering van de motie van de leden Sjoerdsma en Van der Staaij over het versterken van de banden met Taiwan (Kamerstuk 36200-V-33) en de motie van het lid Van Haga over het uitspreken van steun voor Taiwan en […] (Kamerstuk 36200-V-52) – Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal: „Ook zonder formele diplomatieke betrekkingen zijn er regelmatige contacten op ambtelijk niveau met Taiwan, zowel in Den Haag als in Taipei.” 🇳🇱
Bezoek Von der Leyen 🇪🇺🇨🇳
Xi Jinping is pulling out all the stops for French President Emmanuel Macron as China’s leader tries to create some distance between Europe and the US in their approaches toward Beijing – Bloomberg: ‘French officials say they have sensed a special warmth from Chinese counterparts ahead of the trip and they say preparations have been smoother and friendlier than previous visits by Macron.’
‘China’s treatment of Macron stands in contrast to that of von der Leyen’
In Beijing trip, European leaders’ unity on China will be put to the test – SCMP: ‘Élysée sources do not expect Macron to give Xi a tough grilling during six to seven hours of talks in various locations.’
💡 ‘Von der Leyen’s cabinet consulted closely with officials from Australia, India and Japan in writing the speech. The US was not thought to have been directly involved.’
Von der Leyen speaks with Zelenskyy ahead of China visit – POLITICO Europe
Ursula von der Leyen calls on China to use its influence with Russia to rein in war – FT
Watching China in Europe—April 2023 – GMFUS’s Noah Barkin: ‘Von der Leyen and her team have understood that only by developing a European approach to economic security can the EU hope to sit down with close allies such as the United States and Japan and have a conversation at eye level. If European capitals keep their heads lodged firmly in the sand, by contrast, they will be forced to react on the fly to policy developments in Washington. If that is the path they choose, they shouldn’t go running to Brussels for help when the going gets tough.’
‘French officials close to Macron have indicated in recent weeks that he is considering offering Xi a deal along the lines of this: France will resist US pressure to decouple from China if Beijing invests diplomatic capital in bringing about peace in Ukraine.’
Ambassadeur Fu Cong drie keer in de externe staatsmedia
Why China-EU relationship matters – Ambassador Fù Cōng 傅聪 via CGTN:
‘As a major power, China’s influence is getting stronger.’
‘The intensity of China-EU exchanges also reflects the desire of European countries to profit from the Chinese market.’
‘it is encouraging that an increasing number of people are showing interest in resuscitating the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) between China and the EU’
[En nu de vaste Chinese retorische stap: meeste mensen zien de waarheid, maar een kleine minderheid…]
’Some politicians from the EU side, however, have been politicizing China-related issues including the CAI, trying to prevent any compromise from being achieved and undermine the momentum of the resuscitation of the agreement. This is not in the interest of the European side.’
‘It seems to me the speechwriter for President von der Leyen failed to have a good understanding of China and its policies.’ ‘If we really want to de-risk the China-Europe economic ties, it is important that we treat each other on an equal basis and reduce the possible political interference in trade and economic interactions.’
Transcript of Ambassador Fù Cōng 傅聪’s Interview with CGTN – Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union: ‘At the same time, I must also emphasize, just like our relationship with Russia, our relationship with the EU is also multifaceted. So it should not be dominated by this single issue.’
‘This morning I saw a video clip that actually showed that in the Austrian parliament, many people walked out calling for peace. I don’t want to go too deep into that episode, but the message I want to say is that even in Europe, the call for peace is on the rise, not only among the politicians but also among the ordinary people.’
Fu prijst hiermee de extreemrechtse en linkse Oostenrijkse parlementariërs die de toespraak van president Zelensky boycotten.
In the crucible of change – Fù Cōng 傅聪 for China Daily: ‘It is the correct strategic choice and the common expectation of the international community for the two sides to uphold a correct understanding of each other, deepen open cooperation and jointly respond to challenges.’
Overige reacties
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning’s Regular Press Conference on April 4, 2023 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China:
Reuters: President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen said in an interview that China should play a constructive role in bringing peace to Ukraine and called on China to rein in Russia’s moves in Ukraine. What’s China’s comment?
Mao Ning: China is not a party to the Ukraine crisis, but a firm supporter and active promoter of the peaceful resolution of the crisis. We are ready to communicate and exchange views with the EU side on the political settlement of the crisis. We also hope the EU will show strategic autonomy and political wisdom and take firm steps toward achieving long-term peace and security in Europe.
Bezoek Macron 🇫🇷🇨🇳
Can Xi Jinping outsmart Emmanuel Macron? – The Economist: ‘The speech [by von der Leyen] may have complicated Mr Macron’s plans.’ ‘If Mr Macron fails to extract at least a rhetorical Chinese concession on Ukraine, he may weaken the case for closer economic ties with China.’
Macron hoopt Xi Jinping ertoe te bewegen meer druk op Rusland te zetten – FD
China Watcher: Macron woos Xi — No gain for Spain — Tsai in LA – POLITICO Europe: ‘The duo are set to share five to six hours together, first in Beijing and then in Guangzhou. One highlight will be dinner in Guangzhou on Friday, but the menu and the venue remain “a surprise,” according to Team Macron.’
Chinese envoy Lú Shāyě 卢沙野 calls on France to ditch investment hurdles as Emmanuel Macron heads to Beijing – SCMP: ‘Lu said Beijing’s ties with France and the European Union had encountered obstacles in recent years as a result of US efforts to contain China, misunderstandings resulting from the lack of exchanges during the Covid-19 pandemic and changes to the EU’s China strategy.’ 🇫🇷
Emmanuel Macron wants to charm China—after failing with Putin – POLITICO Europe 🇫🇷
Kritiek op bovenstaand artikel in dit draadje:
Tsai Ing-wen in de Amerikas 🇹🇼🌎
De Taiwanese president gaat de Amerikanen advies geven over China – Trouw
Beijing condemns Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s ‘sneaky transit’ in US and warns of ‘resolute response’ to meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy – SCMP
Remarks by the Spokesperson: China Firmly Opposes Taiwan Region Leader Conducting “Taiwan Independence” Separatist Activities under the Pretext of “Transit” and Undermining China-US Relations – Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles
Tsai Ing-wen 蔡英文 [Cài Yīngwén] lauds shared values with Belize – Taipei Times
‘Not about the highest bidder’: the countries defying China to stick with Taiwan – The Guardian
The false choice of confronting Russia or China – Janan Ganesh for FT: ‘The war in Ukraine is a 14-month exhibition of the advantages of US patronage.’
蔡英文將會麥卡錫 中共動員千人鬧場「走路工」加碼至1人400美元 – 自由時報
Tech War 💽
De merken heten Aiways, Lynk&Co of BYD: Chinese auto’s rukken op in Nederland – NRC
China calls on Japan to correct chip export restrictions – Reuters
G-7 trade chiefs agree to deter economic coercion, eyeing China – Nikkei Asia
Regierung streitet über Huawei-Verbot – Handelsblatt
Watching China in Europe—April 2023 – GMFUS’s Noah Barkin: ‘Among the discussion points, I was told, was a reconfiguration of the international system on export controls away from Wassenaar and toward a plurilateral grouping of like-minded countries. “Some countries are more enthusiastic than others,” one European official told me.’
China hawks want to toughen proposed new UK procurement law – POLITICO Europe
Kantelpunt 🌏
Analysis: China’s intensifying nuclear-armed submarine patrols add complexity for US and allies – Reuters
Opinie: In de relatie met China dient niet winst, maar mensenrechten het kompas te zijn – Amnesty-directeur Dagmar Oudshoorn in de Volkskrant
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
New Chinese ambassador demonstrates drive to deepen North Korea ties – Nikkei Asia
Malaysia says Beijing concerned about its energy projects in South China Sea – Reuters
China issues ‘in-principle’ invite for Australia’s prime minister to visit Beijing, September and October likely – SCMP
China voices concern over Australia’s scrutiny of its firms – Reuters
China at it again, renames several places in Arunachal Pradesh – The Times of India
Amidst chill in ties, Beijing freezes visas for Indian journalists – The Hindu
Mexican president bemoans ‘rude’ US fentanyl pressure in plea to Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 – The Guardian
China economie
China job market sentiment still gloomy post-zero-covid, according to poll – Nikkei Asia
China property recovery will be slow and unevenly distributed amid income insecurity, distrust of debt-laden developers, analysts say – SCMP
In Depth: How China’s export surge left the shipping industry with a hangover – Caixin Global
China binnenland
💡 Xi Jinping’s inner circle is getting ‘even tighter’ with powerful new chief of staff Cài Qí 蔡奇 – SCMP: ‘the core of the office’s power lay in its control of the information presented to the party’s top leadership.’
Eerdere berichtgeving van AP maakte duidelijk dat de informatievoorziening aan de top al te leiden heeft onder de dominantie van Xi…
Xi urges solid implementation of Party education campaign to enhance cohesion, pool strengths – Xinhua
China is deploying more officers for grass-roots policing across the country – SCMP
Hong Kong
Rallies must not harm national security or public safety, Hong Kong’s John Lee says – HKFP
Hong Kong 47: Benny Tai 戴耀廷 [Daai Yiuh-tìhng]’s ‘mutual destruction’ plan would have caused ‘nuclear explosion,’ court hears – HKFP
7 Hongkongers initially accused of rioting to plead guilty to unlawful assembly over 2019 protest – HKFP
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
China ‘steals’ patented pineapple from Taiwan – Taipei Times
Taiwan binnenland en economie
Terry Gou 郭台銘 [Guō Táimíng] stresses technology as key to future in US speech – Focus Taiwan: ‘Gou did not explain why he decided to shorten the trip or take media questions on whether he will run for the 2024 presidential election in Taiwan.’