Sharp China Podcast

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with news of more raids on Western corporate intelligence firms, investors losing access to Wind Information Co., a reported uptick in foreigners facing exit bans, and the continuing conflict between business-friendly rhetoric and what Xi's security services are doing on the ground. Then: Capital flight to Singapore, various theories to explain the timing of Xi's call to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and head-scratching jargon from the Chinese readout. At the end: The dynamics between India, Pakistan and China, the US strategy with India, and a question about decoupling yields discussion of Apple, Tesla and the burgeoning EV industry in China. 

We love feedback and questions for future episodes. To email the show: [email protected]. You can also submit questions and feedback in the Sinocism chat.

As per our custom, this first Sharp China episode of the month is outside the paywall and free for everyone.

Links:

China Locks Information on the Country Inside a Black Box -- Wall St. Journal

China’s ‘men in black’ step up scrutiny of foreign corporate sleuths -- FT

U.S. Chamber Statement on Concerns Over PRC Investment Climate -- U.S. Chamber of Commerce

China's exit bans multiply as political control tightens under Xi -- Reuters

New Report: Trapped - China’s Expanding Use of Exit Bans -- Safeguard Defenders

Xi calls Zelensky -- Sinocism

Xi-Zelensky call; Bain's Shanghai troubles; Counter-espionage law; Li Ganjie heads Organization Department; Employment measures -- Sinocism

Speak Plainly, Mr. Chairman -- China Media Project

America’s Bad Bet on India -- Foreign Affairs

Sinocism Podcast: Tania Branigan on her book Red Memory: The Afterlives of China's Cultural Revolution -- Sinocism

An excerpt from Tania Branigan's Red Memory: The Afterlives of China's Cultural Revolution -- Sinocism

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On today's show Andrew and Bill reunite for their first podcast in nearly a month, beginning with takeaways from Brazilian President Lula da Silva's visit to Beijing, the rumored call from Xi to Zelensky that still hasn't happened, and reactions to French President Emmanuel Macron's comments on Europe and Taiwan. From there: The raid on US due diligence…

On today’s show guest host Ben Thompson (Stratechery) and Bill begin with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and discuss China's reaction and the mood on the ground in Taiwan as it approaches a Presidential Election. Later: a discussion on Warren Buffett's comments about TSMC and China's proposed rules for AI.

As per our custom, this first episode of the month is outside the paywall and free for everyone.

Taiwan's president warns 'democracy is under threat' in joint remarks with McCarthy — CNN

European leaders in Beijing; Tsai in California; Xinhua attacks US financial hegemony; Saudi-Iran Beijing meeting — Sinocism

China to inspect ships in Taiwan Strait, Taiwan says won't cooperate — Reuters

PLA exercises around Taiwan; Macron and the PRC; Did Tedros "slander China"?; AI Bubble — Sinocism

China military ‘ready to fight’ after drills near Taiwan — Associated Press

Xi inspects Guangdong; Lula to China; Draft AI rules; Macron; Sandstorms; Substack Notes open to all — Sinocism

2024 election a choice between 'democracy and autocracy': DPP nominee Lai — Focus Taiwan

China slaps security reviews on AI products as Alibaba unveils ChatGPT challenger — Financial Times

Buffett says geopolitics a factor in Berkshire sale of TSMC stake — Reuters

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

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin withXi Jinping’s visit to Moscow and a week of news about deepening ties between China and Russia. Topics include: The recent inversion of the Russia-China relationship, concerns about what a Xi-Putin union means for the rest of the world, and more signs that a much broader project is underway as Xi seek to reshape …

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On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with the news that Saudi Arabia and Iran have reestablished diplomatic relations in a deal that was mediated by China, and announced in Beijing last week. Then: A report that Xi could visit Russia as early as next week, a second report that he will be making his first call to Zelenskyy since the Russian invasion beg…

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

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with the first few days of the Two Sessions and what to make of the messages sent by Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Then: Reactions to a few recent columns expressing concern at the bipartisan consensus in DC, a new plan for Chinese data, and the draft budget provides more signs that self-sufficiency is a…

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with reactions to the PRC’s 12-point plan for a peaceful settlement of the Russian war in Ukraine, including why feigning neutrality fell flat with the international community, continued warnings from U.S. officials regarding weapons assistance, and a visit to Beijing from Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. From there: the Central Party Committee and State Council release new guidelines for legal education, examining the Chinese legal system under Xi, and thoughts on the implications of a Congressional investigation into the origins of Covid-19. At the end: Updates on Bao Fan, the crackdown on corruption in the financial sector, PRC currency ambitions, the shift to conducting life via mobile apps, and a word about gray hair.

We love feedback and questions for future episodes. To email the show: [email protected]. You can also submit questions and feedback in the Sinocism chat:

PRC-Ukraine; Xi and propaganda into the Two Meetings; Legal education guideline; Li Keqiang farewell tour -- Sinocism

PRC-Russia-Ukraine; US-PRC; Financial sector personnel and corruption -- Sinocism

China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis -- MoFA

President Xi Jinping Had a Virtual Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin -- MoFA

As China Calls for Peace, U.S. Believes Beijing Is Considering Artillery and Drone Deliveries to Moscow -- Wall St. Journal

Putin ally Lukashenko meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing -- CNN

China releases key guideline on legal education, stresses firm stand to oppose Western erroneous views -- Global Times

Xi’s Law-and-Order Strategy -- Foreign Affairs

Lab Leak Most Likely Origin of Covid-19 Pandemic, Energy Department Now Says -- Wall St. Journal

The State of Dynamic Zero-COVID and Reactions to That ProPublica Report -- Sharp China:

Australia rides out Chinese sanctions as exports boom -- Financial Times

House committee on China starts two-year drive to ‘decouple’ -- Washington Post

Star Banker in China Who Vanished Is Said to Be Aiding Government Inquiry -- New York Times

Missing Banker Bao Fan Is Cooperating in China Probe, His Firm Says -- Bloomberg

With Streaks of Gray Hair, Xi Jinping of China Breaks With Tradition -- N.Y. Times

The Knockout EP01: Gao Qiqiang is Sent to the Police for Fighting | 狂飙 | iQIYI -- YouTube

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

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with reaction to the meeting between Wang Yi and Anthony Blinken in Munich last weekend, including competing readouts that signal continued tension between the U.S. and China, other statements weekend that underscore Chinese frustrations, and what to look for from both sides in the months to come. Then: Joe Biden is…

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On today's show Bill and Andrew begin with the continuing reactions to the balloon controversy, including rumors of a Blinken-Wang Yi meeting in Munich, last weekend’s new foreign object sightings, China’s story of a flying object outside Qingdao, and reports that U.S. officials believe that the initial balloon did, in fact, fly off course. Then: Survey…

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

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with a few reactions to Joe Biden’s comments about China in Tuesday’s State of the Union address. From there: several days of outsized reaction around Washington, mounting calls for even stronger American responses to China’s ambitions, and stress-testing the theory that last week’s balloon mess was initiated by rog…