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

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with thoughts on the readout from the Central Economic Work Conference, including the emphasis on "progress" alongside stability, high-quality development and high-level security, PRC attempts at brand management,  and where infrastructure investment might be going. From there: More water cannons, more controversy, and the same concerns as problems persist between the Chinese Coast Guard and the Philippines in the South China Sea. At the end: Frustrations with the hawk-dove spectrum, Henry Kissinger's complicated legacy, and questions about flights to China, academic engagement, and good Chinese TV dramas.

Related readings:

Central Economic Work Conference; Xi in Vietnam; Short video crackdown -- Sinocism

Central Economic Work Conference; Progress vs stability; PRC-Philippines standoffs; Fentanyl -- Sinocism

CEWC 2024 readout -- Translation by Sinocism

Rise in Chinese steel output drives sharp rally in iron ore -- FT

U.S. Support for the Philippines in the South China Sea -- State Department 

Philippine festive flotilla turns back after Chinese interception -- The Guardian 

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

What It Feels Like To Be the Target of China’s Water Cannons - NYT

China uses water cannons anew vs Filipino ships in West Philippine Sea -- YouTube:

What Henry Kissinger wrought -- Vox 

What the Henry Kissinger Obituaries Got Wrong - POLITICO - James Mann

Ambassador Xie Feng met with former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger -- MoFA

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Show notes:

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin by parsing the claims contained in a controversial piece from Politico, including thoughts on the spectrum of rumors surrounding this year’s disappearing cabinet members, the smaller-than-ever circle of true insiders in Xi’s China, and certain details of present-day CPC politics and that are beyond dispute. From there: Several stories in and around the finance sector, where there have been more warnings against relaying bad news, there is still no third plenum announcement, the Central Financial Work Commission has provided new guidance, and Moody’s is taking precautions for its local employees. At the end: Checking in with Secretary Gina Raimondo, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, the House of Representatives, and Huawei's role in the PRC chip constellation.  

To subscribe to Sinocism and gain access to all podcast episodes as well as every issue of Sinocism from Bill Bishop, click here.

To subscribe to Stratechery Plus and receive daily writing from Ben Thompson and daily podcasts from Andrew Sharp, click here.

Related readings:

Finance with Chinese characteristics; Politico on recent elite rumors; Wang-Blinken chat; Nuclear power; Vaping; Moody's 

Unswervingly Follow the Path of Financial Development with Chinese Characteristics -- Translation by Sinocism.com

China’s Xi goes full Stalin with purge -- Politico EU 

China military official warns of ‘erroneous ideological trends’ spreading in PLA -- SCMP 

Media groups raise concerns following report of ‘missing’ Hong Kong journalist in China -- CNN 

Matter of minutes: Why Cheng Lei did not see her family for three years -- Sydney Morning Herald 

China Investment Bank Bans Displays of Wealth -- Bloomberg 

China’s Xi Seen Delaying Key Economic Plenum, Defying Norms -- Bloomberg 

Xi Jinping Is Asserting Tighter Control of Finance in China -- N.Y. Times 

Moody’s advised staff to work from home ahead of China outlook cut -- FT 

Moody’s Faces Growing Backlash Over Its Negative Outlook on China -- WSJ 

RNDF 2023 Fireside Chat – The Honorable Gina M. Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce -- YouTube 

China Secretly Transforms Huawei Into Most Powerful Chip War Weapon -- Blooomberg News 

House Speaker Johnson Drops China Investment Curbs From Defense Bill -- 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.

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

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with a new generation of foreign influencers said to be assisting in Xi's campaign to “tell China's story well” and an update on Wolf Warrior diplomacy as 2023 draws to a close. Then: Q&A with the Sinocism chat, including a request for tangible signs of fentanyl progress, regional governments vying for debt relief, Li Qiang at the Central Financial Commission, and a look at why and how PRC citizens are moving investments outside China. At the end: One listener's theory on why Xi may retain power for years to come, the outbreaks straining hospitals around China, and a renowned Chef's egg fried rice ignites a controversy

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Related readings:

Politburo meeting; No date for Third Plenum; More Party in foreign affairs work; Support for private enterprises; Myanmar-PRC border; 蛋炒饭 -- Sinocism

Xi in Shanghai; Politburo studies foreign legal work; Xi and Putin's gas; ICBC corruption -- Sinocism 

Singing from the CCP’s songsheet -- Australian Strategic Policy Institute 

Friendly foreign influencers win growing following in China -- Financial Times 

Sidney Rittenberg, Idealistic American Aide to Mao Who Evolved to Counsel Capitalists, Dies at 98 -- N.Y. Times 

Zhao Lijian: China reassigns combative ‘Wolf Warrior’ diplomat -- BBC 

China Premier Li Qiang Named Head of Powerful Financial Body -- Bloomberg 

Gold Bars and Tokyo Apartments: How Money Is Flowing Out of China. -- N.Y. Times 

Everything You Need to Know About China’s Child Pneumonia Outbreak -- Bloomberg 

China's Next Epidemic Is Already Here - Foreign Policy

Famous Chef Accused of Mocking Mao, Again -- China Digital Times 

Chef Wang teaches you: Homestyle egg fried rice. Several key steps, let's learn together! -- Chef Wang 

Mao Zedong’s son died over a bowl of egg-fried rice and the CCP continues to cover it up -- State of Play in China 

Chef Wang’s Youtube channel, now English subtitles available in the settings

Chef Wang has one of the best outdoor kitchens in the world:

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

Show notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill look back at a week of news from San Francisco. Topics include: A "tactical stabilization" in the US-China relationship, world leaders comparing cars, concessions from the US and a PRC commitment on fentanyl, whether China would prefer Biden or Trump in 2024, and what else was achieved on both sides of the Bide…

Show notes:

After one year of Sharp Tech and Sharp China, a summit with Ben Thompson, Bill Bishop and Andrew Sharp to discuss podcasting, the chip ban, the US-China relationship and beyond. To read the full transcript, click here.

We recorded this podcast the afternoon of the Xi-Biden meeting on November 15. Andrew and I will record a separate podcast early next week in which we will discuss that meeting.

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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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 Xi Jinping’s trip to San Francisco and a likely meeting with President Biden next week. Topics include: A planned dinner with business leaders, why the PRC hasn’t yet confirmed the trip, modest goals for both sides, more ambitious concessions China and the US may seek. From there: Janet Yellen’s column in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal offers one calculation for foreign capital flight, and why changes at the as yet unscheduled Third Plenum may not allay investor anxiety. At the end: The detention of Zhang Hongli, a.k.a. Lee Zhang, in what appears to be another corruption investigation, warming relations between the PRC and Australia, and the pandas in Washington D.C. prepare for a long flight. 

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Related readings:

PRC-Australia back on the "right path"; He Lifeng to DC; Investor detentions and foreign funds outflows; Vanke; Hydropower -- Sinocism 

More state capital for key areas; Prepping for Xi in San Francisco; More real estate support likely; PLA; Huawei AI chips; BRI -- Sinocism 

US Defense Chief Lloyd Austin Asks to Meet With China’s Still-Unnamed Counterpart -- Bloomberg

There’s a way for the U.S. to compete with China — and to work with China -- Washington Post 

Foreign Firms Pull Billions in Earnings Out of China -- WSJ 

Wang Xiangwei's Thought of the Day on China -- Substack: 

China Opens Corruption Probe Into Ex-ICBC Banker Zhang Hongli -- Bloomberg 

Inside a Brazen Scheme to Woo China: Gifts, Golf and a $4,254 Wine -- N.Y. Times 

Private schools rethink China future after flunking growth test -- Reuters 

Australian and Chinese leaders talk pandas and wine as ties improve despite disagreements -- AP

Here’s How the Pandas Are Getting From the National Zoo to China -- Washingtonian 

The hidden power of China’s pandas — and why the U.S. is losing them all -- Washington Post 

Surprise panda goodbye -- Axios

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 episode of Sharp China is free for everyone.

Show notes:

On today’s show Bill and Andrew begin with the passing of Li Keqiang, the grief that swept China over the weekend, and the various party protocols that were set in motion to control the mourning process this week. From there: Another Politburo meeting comes and goes with no news about a third plenum to devise new economic policy, the modest progress and persistent structural challenges animating the US-China relationship in 2023, and the MSS turns its eyes to meteorology. At the end: Extended thoughts on Gavin Newsom’s trip to China, a look at the strategic advantages China brings to the global market for a select group of commodities, the Foreign Ministry complains about Rahm Emanuel’s approach to diplomacy, and Yao Ming makes an appearance for the NBA’s opening week. 

To subscribe to Sinocism and gain access to all podcast episodes as well as every issue of Sinocism from Bill Bishop, click here.

To subscribe to Stratechery Plus and receive daily writing from Ben Thompson and daily podcasts from Andrew Sharp, click here.

Related readings:

Li Keqiang; Financial Work Conference; Xi on women; US-China; Xiangshan Forum -- Sinocism 

Xi meets California Governor Newsom; Biden warns on Second Thomas Shoal; Aricle 23 coming to Hong Kong; Xi Thought on Culture -- Sinocism 

Central Financial Work Conference; Biden and Xi to meet; Li Keqiang -- Sinocism 

‘Other leaders are corrupt’: Li Keqiang mourning poses challenge for Beijing -- FT 

Post by Wenhao on X -- @ThisIsWenhao

U.S. President Joe Biden Meets with Wang Yi - MoFA

Readout of President Joe Biden’s Meeting with People’s Republic of China Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister Wang Yi -- The White House 

If China is forced to resolve the Taiwan question through the use of force, it will be a legitimate and just war: Lieutenant General -- Global Times

Beijing’s top spy agency cracks down on illegal foreign weather stations amid push to stop data leaving China -- South China Morning Post 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom plows into child while playing basketball in China -- KTLA:

China’s Xi Welcomes Gavin Newsom in Beijing With Eye on U.S. Visit -- WSJ 

Geopollutical Warfare --

Post by Rahm Emanuel on X -- @USAmbJapan 

Post by Rahm Emanuel on X -- @USAmbJapan 

Exclusive: US military bulk buys Japanese seafood to counter China ban -- Reuters 

NBA 'first class' in China despite past conflicts, Yao Ming says -- ESPN

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 latest confrontation between the PRC and the Philippines in the South China Sea, clarity as to PRC maritime tactics that look increasingly like an undeclared blockade, and questions about when and how the US might get involved. From there: Qin Gang and Li Shangfu are formally removed from the State Council, the MSS discloses details of another citizen accused of spying for the US, and leaders of the Five Eyes go to Silicon Valley and 60 Minutes. At the end: Heightened scrutiny of Foxconn in advance of January’s presidential election in Taiwan, Tim Cook goes to China, Jon Stewart leaves Apple, and the New Yorker’s Evan Osnos examines the sentiments in China after Xi Jinping's first decade in power. 

Related readings:

Li Shangfu and Qin Gang; 1T RMB in new debt; Xi visits PBoC and SAFE; Neighborhood diplomacy; AI chip controls

Second Thomas Shoal approaching a crisis?; Wang Yi to visit the US; Spy games intensify; Real estate, debt and stock market support; Malaise -- Sinocism 

U.S. Support for our Philippine Allies in the Face of Repeated PRC Harassment in the South China Sea  -- U.S. Dept. of State 

Speak its name: Blockade -- Sealight 

2017 - Counter-Coercion Series: Second Thomas Shoal Incident -- Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative 

CCTV show on the arrest of another alleged American spy:

China stealing technology secrets -- from AI to computing and biology, "Five Eyes" intelligence leaders warn -- 60 Minutes

Five-Eyes Spies Are Bringing Their China Warnings in From the Cold - Bloomberg Opinion

2017 - Killing C.I.A. Informants, China Crippled U.S. Spying Operations -- N.Y. Times 

China launches investigation into iPhone maker Foxconn, says state media -- FT

2016 - How China Built ‘iPhone City’ With Billions in Perks for Apple’s Partner -- N.Y. Times 

Jon Stewart’s Show on Apple Is Ending -- N.Y. Times 

China's Age of Malaise -- The New Yorker 

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 long-awaited updates to the Biden Administration’s export controls on chips. Topics include: Bad news for Nvidia and good news for PRC semi companies, initial responses from PRC leadership, and follow-up thoughts on the strategic calculus of the U.S. From there: Impromptu TikTok discussion in light of the export controls underscoring the importance of strategic considerations. Then: Xi welcomes Vladimir Putin back to Beijing, the state of the Russia-China partnership, and why Xi and Putin may see opportunity as war erupts in the Middle East. At the end: Brief thoughts on the Belt and Road Initiative, and Bill shares an abridged version of the Sinocism origin story to celebrate the site's six-year anniversary as a paid newsletter.

Click here for instructions to add the podcast to your preferred player.

Related readings:

Commerce Department moves to cut key supply lines to China’s AI industry -- Washington Post 

U.S. curbs export of more AI chips, including Nvidia H800, to China -- CNBC 

Stratechery - China Chips and Moore’s Law

Xinhua Commentary: Belt and Road cooperation to hasten demise of "neocolonialism"

Will Xi Jinping’s Gamble on Vladimir Putin Pay Off? -- Bloomberg 

How the Israel-Hamas War Is Tilting the Global Power Balance in Favor of Russia, China -- Wall Street Journal 

Rush by west to back Israel erodes developing countries’ support for Ukraine -- FT 

China Got a Big Contract. Nepal Got Debt and a Pricey Airport. -- N.Y. Times 

This episode of Sharp China is free for everyone.

Show notes:

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with a meeting between Xi Jinping and a congressional delegation led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the latest indication that Xi and the PRC are working toward a trip to APEC in November and a likely meeting with President Biden. From there: Reports of updates to the semiconductor export controls in advance of a Xi visit, Senator Schumer asks Xi and Wang Yi for a swift condemnation of Hamas terror attacks, and whether PRC messaging in the Middle East will deviate from the playbook we saw Russia and Ukraine. Then: The introduction of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, an analyst's look at the evolution of semiconductor export controls, and why Nvidia reportedly sought to have the aforementioned analyst "sidelined" as policymakers continue to calibrate new restrictions for U.S. exports. At the end: Tim Cook's takes on manufacturing expertise in China, a competing theory as to how that expertise was honed, and Kyrie Irving becomes a global ambassador for ANTA apparel.

To subscribe to Sinocism and gain access to all podcast episodes as well as every issue of Sinocism from Bill Bishop, click here.

To subscribe to Stratechery Plus and receive daily writing from Ben Thompson and daily podcasts from Andrew Sharp, click here.

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