Domino Theory

The liquidation of Evergrande by a Hong Kong court accelerates China's real estate and economic crisis to a new speed, but how does it really affect Chinese individuals and banks? And will the effects impact political stability? But why is no one in the White House seeking to exploit this reality, and would officials in a second Biden term broach a bailout of China and the country's best and brightest make plans to leave? Mark Simon reports from Taipei in a discussion with Christian Whiton in the USA. 

Hong Kong outsources torture, Taiwan’s looming election, China’s economy sputters In the trial of Jimmy Lai, is Hong Kong outsourcing witness torture to mainland China? Why are Chinese fleeing to the U.S. border—a fifth column or to reach a land of opportunity? Despite likely victory, why is Taiwan’s DPP sputtering? Why China’s economy is still stagnant and why Beijing packs little punch globally despite top billing.

Taiwan’s ruling DPP party is poor on economics and lacks vision. Taiwan’s economy is stagnant. Its financial system is third rate. The last US bank (Citi) just departed. Can the ruling party salvage the situation? Meanwhile the U.S. presidential election and China’s economic malaise keep getting more interesting and U.S.  businesses embarrassed themselves fawning over Xi Jinping in San Francisco. 

What Hong Kong’s hysterical and deranged response to a media freedom discussion in Geneva tells us. Can Xi and the CCP escape the demographic and real estate doom loop? Filipino fisherman beat China at sea. Is Jakarta’s carbon exchange for real or just for fun? 

Congressional hawks try to sweeten unpopular Ukraine aid with funds for Taiwan, but Taiwan’s history of self-funding is an asset it should preserve. DeSantis over Trump. The semiconductor industry has friends in high (soft-on-China) places. Hunter might not be smoking crack the right way. China’s economic problems mount. Disney’s new management just as woke as the old. 

Chicom Committee Chairman Gallagher politely asks what led to Biden admin’s unrequited romancing of China. Who in the administration is calling shots? DeSantis gains momentum on distracted Trump. Parting with Yellen vs. Hunter. How much can you blow on five days in hot Singapore?

Taiwan gets more U.S. attention, but not necessarily the right kind. Elon Musk goes deeper into China. Will he have to sell Tesla to keep SpaceX and Twitter? China’s reopening is overhyped as the economy exhibits major stress. Bud Lite goes woke and broke. 

Ron DeSantis has the unconventional idea that our foreign policy should actually have priorities. Chinese CCP boss Xi Jinping goes to Russia amid weakness at home. Taiwanese Vice President William Lai takes a step closer to winning election, but how will he treat business and Beijing?  

Why can’t Britain embrace greatness and why is Ukraine getting weapons Taiwan bought from the USA? What demographic decline tells us about China and Japan and what the opposite tells us about Indonesia and the Philippines. Should advanced countries make having kids free?

Taiwan and Japan reopen to most travel, but will business pick up? Does Taiwan prioritize children sufficiently, and do Taiwanese think Americans will really help them in a war? Is Hong Kong going to phony up financial analysis in the name of national security? Christian is just back from Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Taipei.