Sharp China Podcast

This episode of Sharp China is outside the paywall.

Show Notes:

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with instant Wednesday evening reactions to the reports that Nvidia’s board is set to oust Jensen Huang, as well as new reporting from Axios concerning the Trump administration, Elon Musk, and Howard Lutnick’s failure to execute enhanced chip controls and entity listings that President Trump personally authorized.

From there: in an episode recorded earlier Wednesday, Bill and Andrew spend the entire hour discussing the fallout from Jensen Huang’s confirmation of an affair with Megaspeed executive Alice Huang, who was allegedly cooperating with the Ministry of State Security. First: Questions about why this became public over the past two weeks, the precise role of Alice Huang, corrupt processes under Trump, and the maelstrom for Nvidia in Washington. Then: Questions about Huang’s continued viability as Nvidia CEO, the company’s dwindling circle of friends among lawmakers in D.C., and questions about the Busan truce ahead of another Trump-Xi meeting at APEC in Shenzhen next week. At the end: The Party’s appetite for American chips, Megaspeed murkiness as a microcosm of controversial Nvidia behavior, the potentially intensified chip and SME restrictions that may emerge in the current environment, the probability of a break in US-China relations, and final thoughts on Jensen Huang’s fate as CEO in the weeks to come.

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Related Readings:

Nvidia is Preparing to Oust CEO Jensen Huang -- WSJ

Jensen Huang Said to Have Had Relationship With Nvidia Executive Who Reports to Him -- NYT

Scoop: Lutnick stalled Trump’s Nvidia–China chip curbs after Oval talks -- Axios

Prepping for APEC; Nvidia’s China mess; October trade data -- Sinocism

Nvidia’s mess; US-China prep for APEC; Stabilizing the stock market -- Sinocism

Rubio Warned Officials About Nvidia Chief’s Entanglement With Chinese Spy -- NYT

US believes Nvidia’s Huang had romantic relationship with alleged Chinese spy -- FT

Statement From NVIDIA Board of Directors -- NVIDIA

Despite Denial, Trump Was Told on Trip to China About Spying on Nvidia Leader -- NYT

Nvidia Counsel Called Commerce Official About Alice Huang -- Bloomberg

Commerce Dept. Chip Inquiry Was Halted After Nvidia Intervention -- NYT

Scoop: Lutnick stalled Trump’s Nvidia–China chip curbs after Oval talks -- Axios

Jensen Huang’s crisis becomes Nvidia’s Washington problem -- Politico

US commerce department delays Megaspeed’s inclusion on trade blacklist -- FT

Charles Gasparino: “He’s going to resign” -- Fox Business

NVIDIA (NVDA): The China Problem -- Culper Research

US warns China it must ‘immediately’ meet terms of Busan trade deal -- FT

Nvidia’s Biggest Southeast Asian Partner Dogged by China Chip Smuggling Questions -- Bloomberg

Nvidia spy allegations likely to spur laws to tighten China’s access to AI chips -- Reuters

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sinocism.com/subscribe

This episode of Sharp China is outside the paywall.

Show Notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin by reviewing the readouts from last week's Fifth Plenum, including signs that corruption crackdowns will continue, additional targets may include retired cadres, and an area of convergence with the US on policing "corrupt acts carried out through the internet, virtual currencies ... and the like." From there: The US-China outlook in the wake of Tuesday's midterms, including questions about the future of the Democratic Party's approach to China, turnover at the China Select Committee, unknowns surrounding President Trump's response, heightened scrutiny forthcoming for Nvidia, and Jensen Huang's ongoing Megaspeed mess. At the end: Distillation intrigue, a Putin-Trump-Xi summit in Shenzhen, new outbound investment regulations from the Treasury Department, the Washington Post reports on a new Pentagon espionage initiative, an emailer wonders about cyber warfare, and the Mbappé mess remains unresolved.

You can listen to the podcast in the app:

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And if you enjoy this podcast please share it far and wide:

Related Readings:

Cai Qi on the Plenum Resolution; Stock market bounce; US election; Nvidia’s China-related sales - Sinocism

Fifth Plenum outcomes; Stock market rescue; Middle East diplomacy; “Look East” and “learn from the CPC”; Mbappé mess continues -- Sinocism

Central Bank to Conduct Third Swap Facility Operation -- Caixin

The Fight for the Future of Democratic Foreign Policy -- Foreign Affairs

How Nvidia Uses Its Soft Power to Influence Customers and Shape Policy -- The Information

Nvidia orders data centre clients to reduce China exposure -- FT

How One Country Became the Unlikely Crossroads of the Global A.I. Boom -- NYT

Oracle cancels $7bn Tencent AI deal under Trump pressure -- FT

Nvidia Chief Seen as Target of Chinese Spy Plot -- NYT

AI on the Ballot -- Stratechery

Let China copy American AI -- The Economist

Anthropic says new safeguards sharply reduce AI distillation attacks -- Reuters

US, Russia and China discuss meeting between Trump, Putin and Xi -- FT

China urges US to halt proposed expansion of outbound investment curbs -- Reuters

Pentagon looks to build a deep-cover spy program to confront China -- WaPo

To add the Sharp China feed to your preferred podcast player:

Click on the “listen on” button and you will see a dropdown with several options. Make sure you are logged into your account when you do it so you get the correct private RSS feed for subscribers. If you have not logged in for a while you can enter your email and then we will send you a login link.

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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sinocism.com/subscribe

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Show Notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with five questions on the Fifth Plenum as Xi continues his corruption crackdowns and propaganda campaigns emphasize ideological unity and discipline. Topics include: The logistics of this week's meeting, the challenge of implementing policies throughout the country, the real corruption crisis that Xi inherited 14 years ago, costs of the crackdowns, and the inevitable arrival of a unified version of Xi Jinping Thought. From there: A tour of the hysterics surrounding Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid this week, including the benign comments at issue, questions about why this is happening now, how the Party views Mao, how Chinese citizens view Mao, and why, if this is all part of a strategy, it may be a bad one. At the end: More bad news from the stock market as tech stocks continue to collapse, questions about forthcoming policies, and a bittersweet update on Pop Mart's fortunes in the afterglow of the Labubu craze.

Related Readings:

Fifth Plenum begins; October Politburo meeting; Kim Jong Un visits Dandong; Tough proposed US investment rules; AI; GGI -- Sinocism

Fifth Plenum; Struggle sessions for Mbappé after calling Mao a dictator; Struggles for A-share investors -- Sinocism

Tougher discipline, and Xi’s authority, key at China’s Communist Party’s fifth plenum -- Reuters

Xi Corruption Purges Upend Hunt for China’s Next Top Leaders -- Bloomberg

Mbappé Apologizes for Perceived Mao Insult After China Backlash -- Bloomberg

LALIGA and its President, Javier Tebas, apologise to Chinese fans -- La Liga

CMG Sports and Youth Programming Center Spokesperson: We Do Not Accept Real Madrid’s Position -- CCTV

In China, the AI bubble has already burst -- Reuters

Pop Mart sales fall up to 50% as Labubu fever ebbs -- FT

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit sinocism.com

Show Notes:

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with a raft of proposed export controls from Beijing on AI-related technologies, solar-related technologies, and machinery, as well as continued angst surrounding Japan’s rare earth access. Then: Reactions to strong Q3 GDP numbers in the PRC, continued stock market struggles, questions about GDP targets,…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit sinocism.com

Show Notes:

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with an extended survey of EU-PRC trade dynamics in the wake of an eventful week. Topics include: a deal on hybrid exports that may have averted a trade war, potential loopholes that may complicate the effectiveness of that reform, the tools proposed by France and Germany that may have forced a compromis…

This episode of Sharp China is outside the paywall.

Show Notes:

On today’s show Andrew and Bill talk through Xi Jinping’s trip to Washington last week, including low expectations that were met, lots of pageantry in between, why both sides are incentivized to preserve stability for now, and how Mao Zedong’s writing on “strategic stalemate” may inform Xi’s understanding of the current moment. From there: A Taiwan weapons controversy, panda deliverables, and thoughts on Xi’s plan to recruit 100,000 young Americans to study in the PRC over the next five years. At the end: Shared language on Iran, limited progress on AI, trolling intrigue in the East Room and at the National Archives, new Bloomberg reporting on travel restrictions for AI talent and the continued tax crackdown, and more signals that the central government recognizes the economy is struggling.

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Related Readings:

Incremental policy support; Wang Yi’s message to Japan; Document sensitivities during Xi’s DC visit; Trump on China and AI/SI -- Sinocism

US-China strategic stalemate; Premier Li signals Q4 economic support; More Nvidia chips for China?; PRC-Philippine tensions -- Sinocism

Bessent says US, China trade truce extended by 2 months -- Politico

China and the United States Reach Eight Deliverables and Understandings -- MoFA

US and China agree $60bn low tariff regime for goods from foie gras to camels -- FT

At Summit, Xi Sought to Tilt Trump’s Stance on America’s Place in Asia -- NYT

Donald Trump asked Xi Jinping if China wanted to buy American weapons, US envoy says -- FT

Potential Taiwan tension sparked ‘last minute’ change in Trump-Xi National Archives visit -- NPR

Victor Hugo makes an appearance the State Dinner -- China Articles

China’s first lady Peng Liyuan turns soft power on US audience -- Reuters

China’s Tax Grab Squeezes Rich Elite Harder Than Ever -- Bloomberg

China Broadens Travel Curbs to Encompass Family of Top AI Talent -- Bloomberg

Who’s Ahead in the Global AI Talent Race? -- Carnegie China

To add the Sharp China feed to your preferred podcast player:

Click on the “listen on” button and you will see a dropdown with several options. Make sure you are logged into your account when you do it so you get the correct private RSS feed for subscribers. If you have not logged in for a while you can enter your email and then we will send you a login link.

The “email link” in the pulldown shown above will send you an email that also makes it easy to set it up in your preferred podcast app on your phone.

If you use the Substack app it has a built- in podcast player.

Thanks for listening.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sinocism.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit sinocism.com

Show Notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill discuss Xi Jinping's visit to the United States and what to expect in Washington D.C. this week. First: Reactions to the meeting between Scott Bessent and He Lifeng in New York City Sunday, including outstanding questions about the "hotline" that was mooted for AI, details that remain fuzzy on the board of tra…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit sinocism.com

Show Notes:

On today’s show Andrew and Bill look at several dimensions of the PRC’s approach to AI. First: The various reasons a push for an agreement with U.S. labs to “pace” AI development is unlikely to bear fruit and the history of the CPC’s approach to control over technology. Then: The head of the MSS offers a view into CPC concerns around politic…

This episode of Sharp China is outside the paywall.

Show Notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with a perspective on PRC strategy under Xi, including what the party wants from global institutions, how the PRC differs from the U.S., and political security as a paramount priority. Then: Thoughts on the heartbreaking flood at the Nepal-Tibet border, including the party’s response, censorship and data sharing, and the realities of the geography in question. At the end: A raft of U.S.-China stories: the PRC scuppering a G20 joint communique, Anthropic and AI safety questions, notes before Xi’s visit in three weeks, waiting for better evidence that the PRC is shaping U.S. data center discourse, and TikTok dodges the China Select Committee.

You can listen to the podcast in the app:

Or click here for instructions to add the podcast to your preferred player.

To subscribe to Sinocism, click here.

To subscribe to Stratechery, click here.

And if you enjoy this podcast please share it far and wide:

Related Readings:

Xi at the SCO; China’s global strategy; Li Qiang meets US business leaders; Taxing foreigners; Overseas guidelines for PRC automakers -- Sinocism

The disaster in Nepal and Tibet; Xi at the SCO; Supporting consumption; National Defense Mobilization Law; Signals for PRC-US AI dialogue; New era for real estate -- Sinocism

China’s Global Strategy under Xi Jinping -- Steve Tsang and Olivia Cheung

CLM Insights Interview with Steve Tsang and Olivia Cheung -- CLM

Correspondence: The Challenge of Studying What China Wants -- International Security

Hit by deadly floods, Nepal renews push for Chinese data and early warnings -- Reuters

Punishment and Silence: China Pulls Out the Disaster Playbook in Tibet -- NYT

China-US Spat at G20 Largely Came Down to Dispute Over One Word -- Bloomberg

Exclusive: Why China Regrets That This G20 Meeting Failed to Issue a Communiqué -- Yuyuan Tantian (Sinocism Translation)

Anthropic Has Contracted the “American Disease” -- Yuyuan Tantian (Sinocism Translation)

Trump plans state dinner for Xi even as disputes with China pile up -- MS NOW

The X Safety team conducted an investigation into suspected Chinese inauthentic accounts involved in influence operations -- X Global Affairs

Halt and Catch Ire -- Sharp Text

TikTok Backs Out of House Meeting to Avoid Kids Safety Questions -- Bloomberg

To add the Sharp China feed to your preferred podcast player:

Click on the “listen on” button and you will see a dropdown with several options. Make sure you are logged into your account when you do it so you get the correct private RSS feed for subscribers. If you have not logged in for a while you can enter your email and then we will send you a login link.

The “email link” in the pulldown shown above will send you an email that also makes it easy to set it up in your preferred podcast app on your phone.

If you use the Substack app it has a built- in podcast player.

Thanks for listening.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sinocism.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit sinocism.com

Show Notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with a series of questions on the US and China, including a look at the likely toothless threats implied by Trump's "Economic D-Day" agenda, China's role or lack thereof in a breakdown between the US and Canada, questions about the next four weeks and four months of the relationship, and, unrelated to th…