Sharp China Podcast

This episode of Sharp China is outside the paywall.

Show Notes:

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with follow-up thoughts on the purges at the top of the PLA, including reactions to a New York Times piece on Xi’s “paranoia,” answers that have yet to materialize, He Weidong suicide rumors, and various theories on what any of this might signal. From there: Keir Starmer’s trip to Beijing, caution before drawing too many conclusions from the recent steps from Canada and the U.K., and a flurry of stories about Xi's ambitions for the RMB as a global reserve currency. At the end: Parsing the readouts from a surprise Trump-Xi call Wednesday, why Taiwan arms sales may have been at issue, the U.S. gets serious about critical minerals, Panama deals a blow to China, and Nvidia’s H200 adventures head to the State Department.

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:

Uruguay President in China; Document No. 1; Development of future industries; Building a financial power; Fighting deflation; Zhang Youxia; 2026 GDP -- Sinocism

Xi meets Starmer; Services consumption work plan; Soccer corruption; Nvidia and China -- Sinocism

Ruptures in China’s Leadership Could Be Due to Paranoia and Power Plays -- NYT

China’s Xi, Now Alone Atop His Military, Is the Sole Voice in Tackling Taiwan -- WSJ

The Unsettling Implications of Xi’s Military Purge -- Foreign Affairs

Xi the Destroyer -- Foreign Affairs

The Scorpion and the Frogs -- Sharp Text

LIVE with Bill Bishop: The world order is shifting — and China is moving fast to shape it. -- Sinocism

Been spendin’ most their lives livin’ in the free trade paradise -- China Articles

Follow the Path of Financial Development with Chinese Characteristics and Build a Strong Financial Nation -- Quishi

Xi speaks with Putin and then Trump; Us convenes critical minerals meeting; H200 sales in limbo; Document No.1 explained - Sinocism

Trump, Xi Hold Call as China Warns on Taiwan Arms Sales -- Bloomberg

Taiwan launches firepower hub with US as Beijing steps up military pressure -- SCMP

Trump to Launch $12 Billion Critical Mineral Stockpile to Blunt Reliance on China -- Bloomberg

China Loses a Foothold in Panama -- WSJ

China Warns Panama of ‘Heavy Price’ on Court Ruling on Ports -- Bloomberg

Nvidia AI chip sales to China stalled by US security review -- FT

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 react to the news that the rumors were true, and CMC members Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli are under investigation for corruption. Topics include: The timing of the announcement from the Defense Ministry, why this weekend’s news inspired such a volume of reactions around the world, a history of Xi’s crackdowns on the PLA, questions about rumors of a coup against Xi, reports that Zhang Youxia was working with the U.S., the PLA corruption heyday and its implications for what might come next, and various ways to think about the implications for Taiwan. At the end: The first batch of H-200s is approved for purchase, and the TikTok sale is approved as users lash out with censorship claims.

Related Readings:

PLA purges intensify: Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli under investigation -- Sinocism

Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli case; National Conference on Science and Technology; Slow bull market; UK PM to China; US NDS -- Sinocism

Xi Jinping’s purge of top general sends China’s military into uncharted waters -- FT

Gutian Congress -- Wikipedia

China’s Top General Accused of Giving Nuclear Secrets to U.S. -- WSJ

Xi Seeks ‘Total Control’ of Military With Purge, Perdue Says -- Bloomberg

The demise of Zhang Youxia hits different -- Drew Thompson

The Zhang Youxia case - Sinocism Live with Bill Bishop and Drew Thompson

China Approves Purchases of Nvidia’s H200 Chip, Easing Tension With U.S. -- WSJ

China, US sign off on TikTok US spinoff -- Semafor

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 reactions to a new “strategic partnership” between China and Canada, including thoughts on fissures in the West that are a win for China, Prime Minister Carney’s “new world order” comments, U.S. rhetoric that created the conditions for a thaw and why this direction could be a decision Canadians come …

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 instability in Iran, including thoughts on Trump's Truth Social post threatening 25% tariffs on Iran trade partners, why that threat is unlikely to materialize as additional US tariffs on Chinese goods, and the PRC's concerns about oil access, investments, and regional stability as the situation continues to evolve in Tehran. From there: Chinese refiners eye Canadian crude oil, Prime Minister Mark Carney visits Beijing and seeks Canadian export markets beyond the US, and a China Daily editorial celebrates the opportunity and urges the Canadians to the root causes of previous setbacks in bilateral relations. At the end: The "Are You Dead?" app dominates Apple's App Store in China, new regulations and new reporting on the H200 saga, the US updates its Chinese drone policy, and the CCDI highlights another possible area of US-China convergence.

Related Readings:

CCDI; H200s; US-China; Zhong Caiwen; Short newsletter today -- Sinocism

CCDI Plenum opens; Rare earths exports to Japan get rarer; EU-China EV progress; Canadian PM’s visit to China -- Sinocism

Trump Risks Imploding China Trade Truce With Iran Tariff Vow -- Bloomberg

Trump’s Venezuela Oil Grab Pushes Chinese Refiners to Canada -- Bloomberg

Carney visit chance for Canada to repair ties: China Daily editorial -- China Daily

Caught Between Superpowers, Canada Seeks a New Path in Beijing -- NYT

China’s ‘Are You Dead?’ app checks in on growing cohort of people living alone -- FT

China’s Viral Are You Dead? App to Go Global Under New Name -- Yicai Global

US Clears Path for Nvidia to Sell H200s to China Via New Rule -- Bloomberg

Beijing Restricts Nvidia’s H200 Purchase, Banning the Chips From Entering China -- The Information

Exclusive: China’s customs agents told Nvidia’s H200 chips are not permitted, sources say -- Reuters

US government abandons plan to blacklist Chinese-made drones -- SCMP

This episode of Sharp China is outside the paywall.

Show Notes:

On today’s show Andrew and Bill return from the holidays and begin with the PRC’s reaction to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. Topics include: PRC outrage and embarrassment, the propaganda value of the U.S. disregard for international law, oil questions, why most of the Taiwan takes were misplaced, looming tension at the Panama Canal, and Iran as a wildcard. From there: A Ministry of Commerce directive on rare earths for Japan, and questions about how this standoff might end. At the end: A report that PRC companies have been asked pause purchases of the H200 chips, thoughts on the Manus-Meta deal and a review in Beijing, and a recorded recruiting call offers a window into how CCP propaganda works in the modern era.

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:

China’s Venezuela Calculations; Real Estate Market Expectations; December Politburo and Democratic Life Meetings; Museum Scandal; 2026 Propaganda Tasks -- Sinocism

Tightening export controls on dual-use items to Japan and threatening rare earths export licenses; Stock market on a roll; Influencers to help improve “international communication” -- Sinocism

What Trump’s Ousting of Venezuela’s Maduro Means for China -- Bloomberg

US capture of Maduro tests limits of China’s diplomatic push -- Reuters

Trump demands Venezuela kick out China and Russia, partner only with US on oil: Exclusive -- ABC

‘China is not Cuba’s sugar daddy’: ties between communist nations weaken -- FT

The U.S. Venezuela Operation Will Harden China’s Security Calculation -- Carnegie Endowment

Trump’s Enormous C-Length Win over China -- Collapse Intelligence Agency

Chinese refiners expected to replace Venezuelan oil with Iranian crude, traders say -- Reuters

China’s Threat to Block Rare Earths Has Put Japan on High Alert -- NYT

Inside China’s Six-Decade Campaign to Dominate Rare Earths -- NYT

Exclusive: Nvidia sounds out TSMC on new H200 chip order as China demand jumps, sources say -- Reuters

China Tells Tech Companies to Halt Nvidia H200 Chip Orders -- The Information

China reviews Meta’s $2bn purchase of AI start-up Manus -- FT

The Smear Campaign Against Guan Heng: A Transnational Repression Operation From the CCP’s External Propaganda Machine -- Humans Rights in China

Breaking news: Another “#China shock” -- Chinese Embassy to the US

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 takeaways from the Central Economic Work Conference, including the latest push to stimulate domestic demand, why consumption is intertwined with security, speculation surrounding Politburo member Ma Xingrui, and a reminder that many of the economic challenges facing China remain intertwined with poli…

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 the US is greenlighting the sale of Nvidia’s H200 chips to the PRC market. Topics include: Dubious claims in Trump’s Truth Social post announcing the news, searching for arguments in support of this policy change, the 25% of China revenue Nvidia will pay to the U.S. government, and wait…

This episode of Sharp China is outside the paywall.

Show Notes:

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with the call between Trump and Xi last week, a subsequent call between Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and the PRC’s ongoing tensions with Japan. Topics include: Conflicting reports surrounding both calls last week, PRC rhetoric that continues to escalate, contested history surrounding Okinawa, and PRC behavior that may be clarifying for the rest of the world. From there: Various points of emphasis at the Politburo study session on strengthening internet governance, DeepSeek’s new AI model, and a recent Crowdstrike investigation that appears to highlight the risks of building on Chinese models. At the end: More bad news in the real estate sector as Vanke’s struggles make international news, waiting for the Central Economic Work Conference later this month, an FT op-ed makes Europe’s trade problems clear while solutions remain elusive, and a note from a NASA employee adds context to a previous discussion on space rescues.

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:

Hong Kong fire; Politburo study session on strengthening Internet governance; Japan-China; Cloud loophole for advanced AI chips; Xu Qinxian -- Sinocism

Who initiated the Trump-Xi call?; PRC-Japan; Loosening loan standards; CrowdStrike questions DeepSeek coding security -- Sinocism

Trump, After Call With China’s Xi, Told Tokyo to Lower the Volume on Taiwan -- WSJ

Japan Denies Report That Trump Asked PM Not to Provoke China -- Bloomberg

China, Evoking World War II, Urges Europe to Take Its Side Against Japan -- N.Y.T.

The PRC’s Diplomatic Offensive Against Japan Over Taiwan -- Global Taiwan

China’s AI is built for control — and it’s going global -- Red Packet

CrowdStrike Research: Security Flaws in DeepSeek-Generated Code Linked to Political Triggers -- Crowdstrike

China Tells Stats Providers to Halt Home Sales Data Publication -- Bloomberg

China Vanke Jolts Bondholders Again With Plan for One-Year Delay -- Bloomberg

Beijing orders China’s banks to lend to debt-burdened state-owned entities -- China Banking News

China is making trade impossible -- FT

China’s growing trade surplus: why exports are surging as imports stall -- European Central Bank

Three Futures -- Watching China in Europe

Weeks from homecoming, Boeing Starliner astronauts want to set the record straight -- CNN

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 week of escalating rhetoric in response to Japanese Prime Minister Sane Takaichi’s comments about a Taiwan contingency. Topics include: Memories of Senkakku Islands tensions in 2012, why protests in the streets are unlikely this time, possibilities to escalate and de-escalate from here, and possible PRC motivations for reacting so forcefully. From there: A new round of disappointing real estate data while Lou Jiwei predicts prolonged contraction, “phantom loans” at banks, and a rescue mission for the Shenzhou 21 crew at Tiangong space station. At the end: A leaked White House memo alleges Alibaba is cooperating with the PLA, Hasan Piker’s viral travels spawn thoughts on Western influencers touring China, and a BBC journalist is reportedly under investigation for espionage in Brussels.

Click here for instructions to add the podcast to your preferred player. Or listen to it in the app:

Related Readings:

PRC-Japan crisis; October government spending drops; Real estate prices continue to decline; Shenzhou 20 crew returns -- Sinocism

Weak October credit data; CSRC head to resign?; No letup in PRC attacks over Japanese PM’s Taiwan comments; New Model of Global Leadership; Nexperia -- Sinocism

Saber-rattling about militarily intervening in the Taiwan Strait situation will only lead Japan down a road of no return -- PLA Daily

How Japan’s new prime minister has brought China’s ‘wolf warriors’ back out -- CNN

Japan senior diplomat visits Beijing to ease spat over Taiwan -- Nikkei Asia

China Secondhand Home Prices Fall in All Major Cities for Second Month -- Caixin

China Sees Worst Credit Growth in a Year as Demand Dries Up -- Bloomberg

China Banks Issue Phantom Loans to Hit Targets in Slow Economy -- Bloomberg

Exclusive: GM wants parts makers to pull supply chains from China -- Reuters

White House memo claims Alibaba is helping Chinese military target US -- FT

Tesla Wants Its American Cars to Be Built Without Any Chinese Parts -- WSJ

US influencer Hasan Piker’s China tour draws fire after viral Tiananmen police encounter -- SCMP

america against china against america -- Jasmine Sun

Sinocism Live: Dispatches from China with Afra Wang and Jasmine Sun

BBC journalist probed by secret services over China spying allegations -- Daily Mail

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

Show Notes:

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with the implementation of this month’s deal between the US and China, including a variety of early indications that both sides intend to follow through with commitments made in South Korea, the PRC’s clarification on its December 2024 export controls, and a report on the PRC implementing a VEU system for…