De Chinese Wouden, woensdag 5 juni: politieke partij, 4 juni, handel
Vandaag hebben we artikelen van RTL Nieuws en SCMP die mij citeren. Het was nogal druk met werk de afgelopen dagen, dus ik houd me bij het commentaar daarin.
Europese verkiezingen 🇪🇺🗳️
Nieuwe partij NL Plan steunt op organisaties verbonden aan Chinese Communistische Partij – RTL Nieuws: „NL Plan ontving duizenden euro’s aan financiële steun van organisaties die zich inzetten voor de politieke doelen van Peking en het onderdrukken van dissidente geluiden. Dat blijkt uit documenten die te vinden zijn in Chineestalige media en uitlatingen van topmensen binnen de partij en het Chinese netwerk.”
„,De Chinese nationale en lokale overheden creëren een kluwen aan organisaties in het buitenland. En die hebben als doel om te zorgen dat er geen ruimte is voor andere geluiden. Tegelijk dient die kluwen ook als dekmantel voor professionele operaties”, legt Sense Hofstede, China-onderzoeker bij Instituut Clingendael, uit. ,Zulke organisaties sponsoren een Nederlandse partij omdat het past in het beleid van China om te stimuleren dat Pekingsgezinde figuren in buitenlandse politiek actief zijn.’” 🇳🇱
Nederlandse nieuwkomer bij de Europese verkiezingen heeft banden met de lange arm van China – Follow The Money: „De kans dat NL Plan een zetel in het Europees Parlement zal bemachtigen is verwaarloosbaar klein. Toch roept de verkiezingsdeelname van deze partij belangrijke vragen op, zeggen experts. Hoe kan de overzeese Chinese diaspora zelfstandig aan vrije verkiezingen deelnemen, zonder te worden blootgesteld aan de politieke inmenging van de CCP?”
„Het United Times-artikel onthult ‘de belangrijkste beleidslijnen van NL Plan’ voor deze verkiezingen: ‘Ten eerste verzet de Nederlandse partij NL Plan zich tegen de EU, de VS en andere westerse landen vanwege het onderdrukken van China.’ De publicatie stelt dat NL Plan ‘de enige politieke partij is die zich tegen een dergelijke visie verzet en eerlijk over China spreekt’.”
„Een van de donoren van NL Plan is de Nederlandse tak van de China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification (CCPPNR)”
„Een andere donateur van NL Plan is de Landelijke Federatie van Chinese Organisaties Nederland (LFCON), de grootste Chinees-Nederlandse vereniging.” 🇳🇱
‘De lange arm van #China moet uit onze democratie blijven! De berichten over nauwe banden tussen de partij NL Plan en de Chinese Communistische Partij zijn dan ook zeer zorgelijk. Daarom kritische vragen met collega’s @bentebecker, @SilvioErkens, @jpaternotte en @MpanzuBamenga👇’ – Ruben Brekelmans, Twitter 🇳🇱
‘China houdt van democratie. Tenminste: buiten China. Met geld en steun mengt het zich in steeds meer landen in politiek. En niet verrassend heeft de lijsttrekker absurd veel volgers op TikTok. We hebben snel een Wet Politieke Partijen nodig die dit soort inmenging belemmert!’ – Jan Paternotte, Twitter 🇳🇱
China’s best friends in European Parliament fighting for political lives back home in Ireland – SCMP: ‘In a recent poll […] Wallace was running at 3 per cent of the vote in his district, with Daly fairing slightly better on 6 per cent.’ 🇮🇪
Nederland en Europa 🇳🇱🇪🇺
Peking niet blij met route van Nederlands marineschip door Straat van Taiwan – NOS 🇳🇱
Chinese security firm Nuctech 同方威视 challenges EU raids over alleged subsidies – Reuters: ‘taking the European Commission to court over raids at its Dutch and Polish offices’ 🇪🇺🇳🇱🇵🇱
Watching China in Europe—June 2024 – Noah Barkin: ‘Beijing is certainly betting that, when push comes to shove, it will be able to mine the deposits of strategic naiveté that are still present in some European capitals. It is worth underlining here that since Scholz went to Beijing in mid-April and Xi visited Emmanuel Macron in Paris in early May, the Chinese side has given the Europeans absolutely nothing on the issues they care about most: China’s support for Russia’s war machine and the threat of cheap, subsidized Chinese technologies flooding into the European market.’
‘According to officials involved in the planning for the G7 summit in Italy in mid-June, Berlin is increasingly isolated within the grouping. They say that Scholz’s envoys have pushed back against the concept of Chinese overcapacities, suggested that a reduction (rather than an increase) of EV tariffs is key to restoring fair competition with China, and turned a blind eye to China’s support for Russia.’ 🇪🇺🇩🇪
Why the EU and Japan are uniting against Chinese competition – FT: ‘Brussels and Tokyo plan to align their clean energy policies to prevent cheap Chinese suppliers from further undercutting their manufacturers’ 🇪🇺
China’s MSS accuses MI6 of recruiting Chinese state workers – BBC News 🇬🇧
Oorlog in Oekraïne 🇺🇦
Russia-China gas pipeline deal stalls over Beijing’s price demands – FT: ‘The people familiar with the matter said China had asked to pay close to Russia’s heavily subsidised domestic prices and would only commit to buying a small fraction of the pipeline’s planned annual capacity of 50bn cubic metres of gas.’
‘A deal on the pipeline was one of three main requests Putin made to Xi when they met, according to the people familiar with the matter, along with more Chinese bank activity in Russia and for China to snub a peace conference being organised by Ukraine this month.’
‘China announced on Friday it would skip Ukraine’s summit in Geneva. Two of the people said Beijing and Moscow were discussing ringfencing one or more banks that would finance trade in components for Russia’s defence industry — […]. An agreement on the pipeline, however, remains distant, while the proposed co-operation with Chinese banks remains at a far smaller scale than Russia had requested, the people added.’ 🇷🇺
Tougher China criticism by Volodymyr Zelensky over Ukraine complicates troubled Sino-EU ties – SCMP: ‘“Until now, Kyiv has always been very careful not to alienate China. Ukraine wanted China present at the peace conference. Aggressively alienating China would also have hurt its image in the Global South,” said Sense Hofstede of the Clingendael Institute, a Dutch think tank. “However, Zelensky now seems to be losing some patience.”’ 🇺🇦
Jonathan Holslag begrijpt uithaal van Zelensky aan het adres van China: „Het zijn de Chinezen die de Russen overeind houden” – De Morgen 🇺🇦
Ukraine peace summit: China denies pressuring others not to attend – SCMP 🇺🇦🇨🇭
4 juni
China onder hoogspanning vanwege verboden herdenking Tiananmenprotest – de Volkskrant
China: Statement by the Spokesperson on the 35th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square events – EU EEAS 🇪🇺
China and Hong Kong reportedly detain dissidents ahead of Tiananmen Square anniversary – The Guardian
China: Closing off memory of Tiananmen massacre – HRW
Opinion: China’s crackdown on Tiananmen memorials shows its obsession with security — and growing paranoia – Louisa Lim for The Guardian
8th arrest for ‘sedition’ linked to Tiananmen crackdown anniversary posts under Hong Kong’s new security law – HKFP
In Pictures: Tiananmen crackdown commemorations foiled by large Hong Kong police deployment – HKFP
Taiwan marks Tiananmen Massacre – Taipei Times: ‘The lineage of youth activism in Taiwan ran from the Wild Lily and Wild Strawberry student movements to the Sunflower and Qingniao (bluebird) movements, Lai said, referring to the latest protests against controversial legislative reforms.’
Handelsstrijd 🇪🇺🇨🇳
Chinese carmakers brace for EU tariffs on electric vehicles from July 4 – SCMP: ‘The European Commission is expected to levy provisional duties on made-in-China electric vehicles from July 4, EU officials told Chinese carmakers on Monday.’ 🇪🇺
How EU-China trade negotiations could play out – Euractiv: ‘the option of negotiations is increasingly seen as an alternative to hardline tariffs from Europe – where a potential preliminary tariff announcement could serve as an “opening bid” for talks.’
‘analysts interviewed by Euractiv expected the EU to announce findings and preliminary measures on June 10—the day after the EU elections—and then final measures within the next four months.’ 🇪🇺
China accused the EU of working to ‘suppress’ Chinese companies, as the bloc moves closer to imposing tariffs on EVs from the nation – Bloomberg: ‘China accused the European Union of working to “suppress” Chinese companies and said it will take action to safeguard its interests’ 🇪🇺
In EV trade row with EU, China’s commerce minister calls on Spain to help ease ‘anxiety’ – SCMP 🇪🇸🇪🇺
China Sounds Alarm Over Rising EU Trade Protectionism – China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) 🇪🇺
Chinese auto’s rijden stapvoets Nederland binnen, maar trekken hard op naar de top van de Europese markt – Trouw 🇳🇱🇪🇺
China’s underutilised factories fan export dump fears in US and Europe – Nikkei Asia: ‘many industry players have a sense of urgency. At a recent meeting organized by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, Yao Xiaodong, secretary general of a “new energy vehicle” industry alliance in the Yangtze River Delta region, said Chinese EV manufacturers could “either go overseas or go bust.”
China is now home to at least 77 automakers and 129 vehicle brands — too many, experts say, even for the world's largest car market.’
‘Official data shows the capacity utilization rate for auto factories plunged to 64.87% in the first quarter of this year, far below the benchmark of 75%. Private research from Gasgoo, a Shanghai-based automotive industry information service, showed the capacity utilization rate for new energy vehicles in 2023 was only around 47.5%.
Average utilization rates for power batteries and energy storage batteries fell below 60% and 55% respectively in 2023, according to a November communique by CEOs of China’s leading battery manufacturers, including CATL.’
Cheap Chinese high-tech goods have flooded the global economy this year, raising alarms in Washington and Brussels. It is about to get worse. – WSJ: ‘Enormous capacity paired with weak demand and lower margins at home has pushed more Chinese goods into global markets.’
China sets up fund of about CN¥6 billion [€760mn] to spur development of solid-state EV batteries, source says – Caixin Global
Tech War 💽💥
Chinese businesses target Vietnam and Mexico as trade tensions with US rise – FT: ‘During the year to March, at least 41 Chinese manufacturing and logistics projects were announced for Mexico, while at least 39 were scheduled for Vietnam’ 🇻🇳🇲🇽🇺🇸
Treasurer orders Chinese funds to reduce stakes in Australian rare earths miner Northern Minerals – The Sydney Morning Herald 🇦🇺
South Korea and Africa leaders pledge deeper ties and critical mineral development – Reuters: ‘Yoon said South Korea would increase development aid for Africa to $10 billion over the next six years’ ‘He also pledged to offer $14 billion in export financing to promote trade and investment for South Korean companies in Africa.’ 🇰🇷
Intel talks up China chip market ‘opportunity’ amid US tensions – Nikkei Asia
AI expected to drive TSMC 台積電 growth over next few years – Focus Taiwan
AMD and TSMC 台積電 to produce new chips – Taipei Times
Hon Hai 鴻海 and Nvidia to build advanced computing center – Taipei Times
Nvidia to build a Taiwan headquarters, Jensen Huang 黃仁勳 says – Focus Taiwan
Kantelpunt 🌏⏱️
Jakarta MRT expansion shows Japan’s prowess as China steps up rail push – Nikkei Asia 🇯🇵
Japan, US, and South Korea plan joint military exercise; ‘Freedom Edge’ to involve multiple domains this summer – The Yomiuri Shimbun 🇯🇵🇺🇸🇰🇷
Overige
China buitenland en defensie
China Coast Guard seizes Philippine supplies for Second Thomas/Ayungin Shoal – The Inquirer: ‘and allegedly obstructing a medical evacuation of ailing soldiers.’
‘on May 19, when the Philippine Navy performed an airdrop operation to bring the items to the BRP Sierra Madre’
‘The Inquirer source made the allegations hours after Chinese state media claimed that personnel on the Sierra Madre “pointed guns” at the CCG on the same day, May 19.’ 🇵🇭
China says US plays ‘dishonourable role’ supporting the Philippines in South China Sea – Reuters and AFP 🇵🇭
China emerges as one of biggest bilateral lenders to Philippines – FT: ‘but its finance commitments swing wildly with the two countries’ fickle political relationship, a new report said’ 🇵🇭
China’s Xi calls for Middle East peace conference – AFP 🇮🇱🇵🇸
China eyes closer ties with Turkey to take on global ‘power politics’ – SCMP: ‘“The two sides agreed on the need for close strategic communication … to safeguard the common interests of developing countries,” Wang said, according to a Chinese statement.’
‘According to a Chinese statement, Fidan told Han that Turkey adhered to the one-China principle and “will not allow activities in Turkey that undermine China’s territorial integrity”.’
‘Fidan is expected to visit the cities of Urumqi and Kashgar in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region before wrapping up his trip on Wednesday, according to Turkish broadcaster TRT.’ 🇹🇷
China economie
Red tape clogs China’s offshore IPO pipeline even as markets recover – Reuters: ‘Offshore listings are critical fundraising channels for Chinese companies. These deals also account for a bulk of the revenue global investment banks make in Asia.’
China’s manufacturing surges, Caixin PMI shows, but global risks grow – Reuters
Chinese firms offer credit for orders, but payment delays remain an issue: survey – SCMP
Chinese companies are setting up shop anywhere but China — and the US – Business Insider
China binnenland
China’s lunar probe makes first successful takeoff from far side of moon – AFP
China to boost rail links to Xinjiang and Tibet, with eye on supply chains and energy security – SCMP
Hong Kong
British judges paid £40,000 [€47k] to sit on Hong Kong court despite pro-China crackdown – The Independent: ‘While the British judges cannot rule on national security law cases, Lord Hoffmann and Lord Sumption have overseen cases involving convictions of activists critical of Beijing.’
Mainland China launches new crackdown on Macau’s illegal money exchanges – SCMP
Taiwan buitenland en defensie
Taiwan to form military technology innovation unit, new defence minister says – Focus Taiwan: ‘with the aim of boosting the nation’s asymmetrical warfare capabilities in the face of growing military threats from China.’
Taiwan condemns hack attacks on Palau; offers cybersecurity help – Focus Taiwan: ‘reportedly contained confidential files on U.S. radar installations on Palau and crew lists of Japanese Navy ships that had visited Palau’ 🇵🇼
National security officials request military police guard key facilities – Taipei Times: ‘The threat from fifth column units is increasing due to a rise in immigrants, as well as members of organized crime groups being absorbed by the CCP, the sources said.’
Japan names evacuation locations mainly in Kyushu for Okinawa residents in case of Taiwan contingency – The Yomiuri Shimbun 🇯🇵
US arms contractors arrive in Taiwan for defence forum – SCMP 🇺🇸
Interview: President Biden on world leadership, war, and 2024 election – Time: ‘Biden doesn’t rule out sending troops to defend Taiwan if China attacked, saying, “It would depend on the circumstances.”’ 🇺🇸
Taiwan binnenland en economie
DPP proposes axing two government branches, Control Yuan and the Examination Yuan – Taipei Times: ‘“We agree with this effort, and have proposed abolishing the Control Yuan and the Examination Yuan, getting ahead of the KMT on this work,” she said.’
Ex-officer convicted of spying Tu Yung-hsin 杜永心 loses his appeal for pension – Taipei Times