Sharp China Podcast

This episode of Sharp China is outside the paywall.

Show Notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill with Wang Yi's visit to South Korea this week, including the fortunate timing for the PRC in the wake of President Trump's decision to scale back joint US-ROK exercises, PRC concerns around North Korea, and dynamics on the peninsula that are shifting in ways that aren't entirely clear. Then: Zhu Rongji's legacy, a week of nostalgia for the Zhu/Jiang era, and the uncertain future of the Linden Centre after a poignant Financial Times piece two weeks ago. At the end: Catching up on US-China news from the break, including thoughts and questions ahead of Xi's visit to D.C., a draft plan to make American AI partners choose between the US and China, China's continued reliance on Nvidia hardware, the White House highlights transshipment concerns, the DOW asks higher education for more info on foreign research, and an emailer who asks about the New York Times' reporting on PRC programs to surveil foreigners.

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Related Readings:

* Funeral for Zhu Rongji; Xi meets Ecuadorian President Noboa; Jiang Zemin; Housing provident fund; Consumption; What does China want? -- Sinocism

* “Beidaihe Break” is over; Jiang Zemin’s 100th; RIP Zhu Rongji; US-China; July economic data; New Qiushi -- Sinocism

* Chinese FM Wang Yi to visit Seoul as Lee floats multiparty talks on ending Korean War -- The Korea Herald

* Wang Yi visits South Korea, pledges role in peninsula peace push -- Chosun Biz

* Why China Worries About North Korea -- Foreign Affairs

* Zhu Rongji, Chinese Premier Who Overhauled Economy, Dies -- Bloomberg

* Why China Is Wistful for the 1990s -- Bloomberg

* An American farewell to China -- FT

* US to tell partners they must pick sides in AI race with China -- Reuters

* China eases limits on Nvidia H200 chips as AI race escalates -- FT

* China’s top AI is still trained on Nvidia chips. What is delaying a switch to local tech? -- SCMP

* The Great Transshipment Scam -- White House

* It Was a Great Scam While It Lasted -- NYT

* Department of War Orders Research Security Audits at 30 Academic Institutions -- DOW on X

* How China Keeps Tabs on Foreigners -- NYT

* Sharp Eyes: Mass surveillance of foreigners in China - Part 1 -- NetAskari

* The File: A Personal History -- Timothy Garton

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Show Notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with reactions to CXMT's IPO success this week, including responses from legislators in Washington and the stakes of Apple's continued lobbying fight to relax restrictions on US companies working with PRC memory firms. Then: The FCC announces rules restricting the import of new, foreign-made robots and power inverters in a move to curb security risks and fuel onshoring. From there: Surveying the ongoing debate over the future of open weights models, including disadvantages facing US-led open source AI efforts, MOFCOM's statement on distillation and Silicon Valley's support for Chinese open weights AI, and the risks of building atop PRC AI infrastructure. At the end: Expectations for the July Politburo meeting, news out of Iran that may threaten constructive strategic stability in advance of Xi's visit to D.C., a bad few weeks for Mercedes, and more clashes between the PRC and the Philippines.

Related Readings:

CXMT IPO; Taxing offshore assets; Fang Xinghai; US-China; AI; Lula supports China-Mercosur deal -- Sinocism

Xi meets Slovak president; “Excess capacity” or “Overcapacity”?; CXMT IPO; Overseas Chinese affairs conference; Li Qiang in Tangshan; Chips and AI -- Sinocism

Chip Maker Soars 466% on Debut to Become No. 1 in China Stock Market -- WSJ

US lawmakers seek national security probe of Chinese chip giant CXMT after blockbuster IPO: ‘Ticking time bomb’ -- NY Post

Trump Caught Between Apple and Micron in Fight Over Chinese Chips -- WSJ

China’s CXMT Is Set to Challenge DRAM Incumbents -- Semi Analysis

Trump administration bans new Chinese humanoid robots, to protect US AI buildout -- Reuters

Cover Story: China’s AI-Driven Robotics Boom Faces IPO Reality Check -- Caixin

Post by Peter Harrell -- X

Spokesperson Responds to US Claims It Plans to Investigate and Sanction Chinese AI Companies -- Xinhua (Sinocism translation)

Mark Zuckerberg says US should not ban Chinese AI -- FT

Chinese AI Startup Moonshot Seeks More Nvidia Blackwell Chips for Next Model -- The Information

Taiwan Says It Worked With US to Bust High-End Chip Smuggling -- Bloomberg

The Hidden Cost of China’s Free A.I. -- NYT

Iran to get Chinese shoulder-launched missile systems in weeks, sources say -- Reuters

China in touch with Yemen’s Houthis to allow ships to sail through Red Sea, sources say -- Reuters

Mercedes risks US sales ban under Senate China bill -- FT

China coast guard uses water cannons on 2 Philippine vessels as top diplomats meet in Manila -- AP

Philippines accuses Chinese coast guard of injuring Filipino sailor in disputed shoal -- AP

Secretary of State Marco Rubio Remarks to the Press -- State Department

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Show Notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill focus on the arrival of Moonshot's Kimi K3 model and the "DeepSeek 2.0 concerns" among investors and policymakers. Topics include: The incoherent U.S. approach to the open source AI ecosystem, levers the U.S. side could pull to thwart Chinese progress, and why the Trump Administration might be reluctant to take those steps. Then: Xi's keynote address at the World AI Conference, China's coherent messaging to the world, questions about infrastructure in the Global South, and the needle the U.S. could thread with open source policy. At the end: Trump's claims of "an unprecedented election security nightmare" at the hands of the PRC, the Connected Vehicle Security Act heads to mark-up this week, Neville Roy Singham is under investigation, and Rep. John Moolenaar urges the NBA to look closer at Brooklyn Nets owner—and Alibaba Chairman—Joe Tsai.

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

On today’s show, Andrew and Bill begin by parsing the economic data released by the PRC this week, including slower-than-expected growth, the Party’s response to the status quo, export-powered growth that is widening trade imbalances, and the questions all of this will raise for foreign policymakers. From there: The Party's findings on Ma Xingrui, questions that remain unanswered, and cadre risk aversion for the next 18 months. Then: PRC messaging around openness in AI, an ongoing U.S. debate over open-source AI models, three chip bills that may end up in the NDAA, and the continued adventures in China policy on Capitol Hill. At the end: Reflections on the 10th anniversary of The Hague ruling on the PRC’s territorial claims in the South China Sea, as well as the state of play today.

This episode of Sharp China is outside the paywall.

Show Notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with Monday's SLBM test from the PLA Navy, including questions surrounding its timing and location, regional angst, and a reminder that the PLA continues to enhance its nuclear triad capabilities. Then: Two new PLA generals are promoted while rectification continues and five CMC seats remain vacant, and reactions to last week's shocking CITIC plane crash and a major security breach in Beijing. From there: An emailer asks about America's interests in maintaining the Taiwan status quo, Beijing considers limiting access to advanced AI models, the knives are out for Jeffrey Kessler at BIS, and the White House preps for Xi's visit in September. At the end Questions about the release of pastor Ezra Jin, context for the U.S. sentencing of disgraced tycoon Guo Wengui, and the Washington Wizards get a letter from Rep. John Moolenaar.

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

Related Readings:

Floods and Xi’s instructions; PRC to limit access to top AI models?; PBoC policy support for Hong Kong; Tax burden on private firms -- Sinocism

Two new PLA generals; Submarine-launched missile test; Ezra Jin released; “Routine” patrols of waters east of Taiwan -- Sinocism

China’s SLBM Test Underscores the Importance of a Ballistic Missile Launch Notification Agreement -- CSIS

China conducts rare submarine-launched ballistic missile test, angering Pacific neighbors -- CNN

China test fires missile into Pacific, alarming regional powers -- Reuters

A small plane hit Beijing’s tallest tower. Much remains unclear. -- Reuters

Beijing is looking at curbing overseas access to China’s top AI models, sources say -- Reuters

‘A massive screw-up’: China hardliners take aim at Commerce Department official -- Politico

Trump speeds up helipad project ahead of Xi visit, adding $875K, records show -- WaPo

China Raises Pressure on Taiwan With Expanded Coast Guard Patrols -- NYT

China releases Christian pastor after appeal from Donald Trump -- FT

Chinese tycoon sentenced to 30 years in US jail -- BBC

Select Committee: Owner of Capitals, Wizards Should Cut Ties with Chinese Military Company Alibaba -- China Select Committee

Erling Haaland + a 195-year-old Chinese herbal tea? Yes, really.-- YouTube

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.

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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 Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building and further signs that one year after from a summer of rumors and one year out from the 21st Party Congress, Xi’s power remains entrenched as ever. Then: MOFCOM and the Ministry of Finance announced restrictions on several dozen US firms, the global memory chip shortage is an opportunity for CXMT and YMTC, what to make of the U.S. government's scrutiny of ASML, and Elon Musk's alarmism at the West’s China vulnerabilities. At the end: Takeaways from the EU Council meeting on China, Germany's push for PRC currency revaluation, structural forces that yield EU inertia, and emails on Chinese soccer, space warfare, and the JIm Cramer of weather.

Related Readings:

Li Qiang inspects Dalian; Response to US expansion of China military companies list; Contaminated diapers; No “Plaza Accord” to help the EU; Invest in China -- Sinocism

Introduction to the Main Entries in Volumes One and Two of the Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Party Building -- Sinocism Translation

Xi Jinping’s Thought on Party Building and the Four Major Changes in CCP Governance -- China Thought Express

China Tightens Rare-Earth Grip on U.S. Firms, Threatening Trade Clash -- NYT

Why the Memory Crunch Is Almost Impossible to Solve -- WSJ

Loosening Export Controls on China’s Memory Chip Makers -- Jimmy Goodrich

Memory Chips and China, Microsoft and Chinese Models -- Stratechery

US senators increase pressure on Apple over possible Chinese chipmaker deal -- FT (2022)

US Tells ASML It’s Concerned China May Have Top Chip Tool -- Bloomberg

Netherlands to join US-led Pax Silica AI initiative despite ASML dispute -- Reuters

Germany backs EU’s tough China line with call for ‘Plaza Accord’ talks on yuan -- SCMP

The world does not need a new ‘Plaza Accord’: Global Times editorial -- Global Times

Europe’s Final Warning -- Sharp Text

Germany is wavering on China (again) -- Watching China in Europe

Why China is so bad at football -- The Economist

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Show Notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with takeaways from Xi's visit to North Korea this week, including the conspicuous silence on North Korea's nuclearization, Kim Jong Un's assistance to Russia's war in Ukraine, Beijing as Kim's top priority, U.S.-Japan dialogue on regional nuclear threats, and an email about the PRC as a communist countr…

This episode of Sharp China is outside the paywall.

Show Notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with Xi Jinping's call to seize the commanding heights of science, technology, and industry across six industries of the future, as well as the State Council's move to release a 34-article law that will implicate domestic firms, foreign businesses and potentially foreign governments, as well as PRC financial institutions and individual investors. From there: Reactions to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's remarks at the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue, why an absence of Taiwan mentions in his main speech is not necessarily seen in Beijing as a shift in policy, and questions regarding U.S. partnerships elsewhere in the region. At the end: The looming trade tensions between Europe and China, the expulsion of New York Times journalist Vivian Wang, the 37th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacres, and Steph Curry's new endorsement deal with Li-Ning.

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:

New regulations on outbound investment; Qiushi on future industries; Chip export control dysfunction; Shangri-La Dialogue; EU-China -- Sinocism

Agricultural and rural modernization; Socialist political economy; UK-PRC; PRC media in Africa -- Sinocism

China Tightens Rules on Outbound Investment in Fight for Global Tech Edge -- WSJ

State Council Regulations on Outbound Investment -- Sinocism Translation

China Expands Outbound Investment Rules to Cover Individuals -- Bloomberg

Pete Hegseth says US-China ties are ‘better than in years’ -- FT

Hegseth’s Message to Asian Partners: Do More to Get More -- NYT

Japan’s defence minister Koizumi rejects China accusations of ‘new militarism’ -- FT

Brussels fires starting gun on tougher China trade policy, as Beijing vows retaliation -- SCMP

Watching China in Europe - June 2026 -- Noah Barkin

After China Orders a Times Reporter to Leave the Country, the U.S. Reciprocates -- NYT

Tiananmen Tonight Trailer -- Tiananmen Tonight

Vandals break into Tiananmen crackdown museum in US, founder says -- Hong Kong Free Press

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 the news that Beijing moved to further ease hukou restrictions, including why this is a welcome change for millions of Chinese citizens, as well as a look at questions and challenges as the reforms are implemented. Then: A report that Chinese AI talent has been restricted from leaving China, while Beijing continues its efforts to control capital outflow and offshore investments. From there: Indications that the US has indeed paused its second tranche of arms sales to Taiwan, and more details on a US-China board of investment. Then: PRC-Japan updates, including reports of Takaichi recriminations from Xi in his meeting with Trump, heavy rare earth shipments restricted for the past four months, the cards Japan has yet to play, and Mao's strategic stalemate as a stage of protracted war, not an endgame. At the end: An American journalist for Xinhua and other state outlets is arrested and accused of acting as an unregistered agent of the CCP.

Related Readings:

Wang Yi at the UN; American Xinhua “journalist” arrested; Keeping AI talent at home; Recalculating carbon intensity; Another WMP blowup -- Sinocism

Xi meets Pakistan PM and Serbian President; Coal mine explosion; Delinking basic public services from hukou; Crackdown on overseas trading; AI -- Sinocism

China removes hukou hurdle for migrant workers in social insurance shake-up -- SCMP

China Expands Travel Curbs to Top AI Talent at Private Firms -- Bloomberg

DeepSeek, a National Treasure in China, is Now Being Closely Guarded -- The Information (2025)

China Traders Hit Exit After Offshore Trading Curbs -- Bloomberg

Iran war, China thaw complicate U.S. support for Taiwan -- WaPo

US warns Japan of severe delays in Tomahawk deliveries due to Iran war -- FT

Pentagon official’s Beijing visit in doubt over $14bn US arms package for Taiwan -- FT

Xi Jinping railed against Japan’s ‘remilitarisation’ at Donald Trump summit -- FT

China squeezes Japan over rare earths in repeat of 2010 showdown -- Reuters

Affidavit in Support of Criminal Complaint -- DOJ

“I would make the world’s worst spy ever” -- Too Simple, Sometimes Naive

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

Show Notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill parse the messaging from both sides of last week's US-China summit in Beijing. Topics include: What the PRC means by "a constructive relationship of strategic stability," why the US side adopted the framing as well, a relative absence of tangible deliverables, and why "a calculated stalling tactic from both sides designed to manage risk" may be a more accurate rendering of the status quo. From there: Trump's various comments on Taiwan spark concern and questions, plus notes on Rubio, Ratner, an indictment of Chinese shipping magnates, and an Iran ceasefire Xi calls "imperative." At the end: Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing, questions for the EU, and more bad news for Nvidia in China.

Related Readings:

US-China summit outcomes; Constructive relationship of strategic stability; Taiwan; Putin to Beijing; Li and Ding on AI -- Sinocism

Putin arrives in Beijing; US indicts PRC container firms and executives; Developing Party members; Tracking foreigners -- Sinocism

Two Readouts, One Deal -- Sinocism Chart

CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Raul Castro’s grandson in Havana, US and Cuban officials say -- AP

Rubio, Once a China Hawk, Strikes Softer Tone to Align With Trump -- NYT

U.S. probing whether Chinese companies cut production of shipping containers before COVID pandemic -- CBS News

Xi Warns Against Resuming Iran Attacks After Meeting Putin in Beijing -- Bloomberg

Chaos erupts behind the scenes of Trump’s China trip — including trampled White House aide -- New York Post

Joint Statement of the PRC and the Russian Federation on Further Strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Coordination and Deepening Good-Neighborly and Friendly Cooperation

Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on Advocating Global Multipolarity and a New Type of International Relations

Xi Jinping told Donald Trump that Putin might ‘regret’ invasion of Ukraine -- FT

China banned Nvidia’s gaming chip during Jensen Huang’s visit -- FT