China Articles - August 14, 2022
Friends,
It has been over two weeks since the U.S. Speaker of the House visited Taiwan and the Chinese Communist Party amplified its threats and coercion of the island nation.
For me, one of the most interesting developments has been the willingness of the PRC’s neighbors to stand-up and challenge Beijing during this period of heightened tensions.
Example #1 – Last week, the Indian Army announced that it would host the U.S. Army for a joint training exercise 62 miles from the Sino-Indian border in October. This exercise has been in the planning stages for years, but the fact that Delhi pressed ahead sends a clear message about where things stand in the Sino-Indian relationship.
Example #2 – The Indian Government made a public show of supporting the 14th Dalai Lama by flying him aboard an Indian Air Force helicopter to a remote monastery and then publicizing their support. Prime Minister Modi also called the Dali Lama on his birthday. Both of these actions are a direct challenge to what the CCP considers a ‘core interest’ on par with Taiwan.
A photo released by the Indian Government of the 14th Dalai Lama with elements of the Indian Air Force who flew him to a remote monastery.
Example #3 – The South Korean Government last week announced that the deployment of THAAD missile defense systems was ‘non-negotiable’ after years of PRC threats and coercion.
Example #4 – As Speaker Pelosi’ visit took place, Japan participated for the first time in a joint U.S. – Indonesian military exercise, along with Singapore and Australia. The planning for the exercise certainly proceeded the controversy around the Speaker’s visit, but the context of it was left out of common media assessments of the crisis.
Far from intimidating its neighbors with its show of force against Taiwan and the United States, the Chinese Communist Party is cementing collective security frameworks around itself. Its ill-considered decision to launch missiles into Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone just as the Japanese Government finalizes its new defense budget is likely to lead to even further capability aligned against it as Japanese public opinion hardens against Beijing.
For an organization that prides itself as strategically savvy and the master of ‘divide and conquer’ tactics, the Party seems to be addicted to self-defeating actions that construct the ‘containment’ that they loathe.
Thanks for reading!
Matt
MUST READ
1. Democratic deterrence: Why Europeans should challenge China’s narrative on Taiwan
Janka Oertel, European Council on Foreign Relations, August 4, 2022
Visits by lawmakers to Taiwan represent an important new form of democratic deterrence as the Chinese Communist Party seeks to isolate and coerce the people of Taiwan.
2. Chinese envoy to France Lu Shaye doubles down on Taiwan ‘re-education’ aims
Finbarr Bermingham, South China Morning Post, August 8, 2022
In an interview with French broadcaster LCI that focused on the fallout from US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s controversial visit to Taiwan, Chinese envoy Lu Shaye said re-education would be required because the government in Taipei had “indoctrinated and intoxicated” the population with anti-Chinese education.
“Why do I say ‘re-educate’? Because the authorities of Taiwan have made an education of ‘desinicisation’ on its population, which is effectively indoctrinated and intoxicated. It must be re-educated to eliminate separatist thought and secessionist theory,” Lu said.
COMMENT: For those who think that a ‘One Country, Two Systems’ model is still an option for Taiwan, I recommend reading this closely along with the Party’s newly released white paper: “The Taiwan Question and Reunification in the New Era” (#7).
3. China’s New Vassal
Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, August 10, 2022
Russia’s autonomy is becoming increasingly narrow as Putin has made Moscow dependent on the interests of the Chinese Communist Party. Without the Party’s material and diplomatic support, Putin’s regime is in serious danger.
4. The Coming War Over Taiwan
Hal Brands and Michael Beckley, Wall Street Journal, August 4, 2022
With its global power at a peak and domestic problems mounting, China is likelier than ever to attempt to use its burgeoning military power to transform the existing order while it still has the ability.
5. After China’s Military Spectacle, Options Narrow for Winning Over Taiwan
Chris Buckley, Amy Chang Chien and John Liu, New York Times, August 7, 2022
The PRC’s threats and coercion are only narrowing the Party’s hopes of winning the hearts and minds of the Taiwanese people.
Authoritarianism
6. Beijing cuts military and Taiwan autonomy pledges from reunification paper
Mimi Lau, South China Morning Post, August 11, 2022
New white paper states Beijing will not renounce the use of force if it deems necessary and promises that ‘any matter is up for negotiation’ under the one-China principle.
7. Full Text: The Taiwan Question and China's Reunification in the New Era
Xinhua, August 10, 2022 – ORIGINAL IN CHINESE, ENGLISH TRANSLATION
8. In Turbulent Times, Xi Builds a Security Fortress for China, and Himself
Chris Buckley and Steven Lee Myers, New York Times, August 6, 2022
9. Why China’s Confidence Could Turn Out to Be a Weakness
Li Yuan, New York Times, August 9, 2022
10. Xi Jinping grasps ‘knife’ of internal security to complete grip on power
Tom Mitchell, Financial Times, August 9, 2022
11. Tibetan cities locked down over first Covid outbreak in two years
William Langley, Financial Times, August 9, 2022
12. North Korea sends letter to China slamming Pelosi's Taiwan trip
Korea News, August 10, 2022
Environmental Harms
13. 'The Sacrifice Zone': Myanmar bears cost of green energy
Dake Kang, Victoria Milko and Lori Hinnant, Associated Press, August 9, 2022
14. What does the US-China row mean for climate change?
Oliver Milman, The Guardian, August 5, 2022
15. China: A Threat to the Environment and Human Rights in Latin America
Julieta Pelcastre, Dialogo Americas, August 8, 2022
Foreign Interference and Coercion
16. Shipments to Pegatron's China factory disrupted after exec met Pelosi
Lauly Li and Cheng Ting-Fang, Nikkei Asia, August 5, 2022
17. Snickers Maker Apologizes to China for Referring to Taiwan as Its Own Country
Shen Lu and Ginger Adams Otis, Wall Street Journal, August 5, 2022
18. The Congo Standoff
Garrett O'Brien, The Wire China, August 07, 2022
19. China says military exercises around Taiwan complete
Kathrin Hille, Financial Times, August 10, 2022
20. Chinese Police Could Crush Solomon Islands Opposition
Emanuel Stoakes, Foreign Policy, August 10, 2022
21. U.S. Promotes Democracy in Africa as Rival Nations Expand Influence
Edward Wong and Lynsey Chutel, New York Times, August 8, 2022
22. Solomon Islands PM’s election delay push a ‘power grab’ linked to China pact, opposition leader alleges
Kate Lyons, The Guardian, August 10, 2022
23. Chinese Military Drills Aim to Awe, Both Abroad and at Home
Vivian Wang, New York Times, August 6, 2022
24. KMT vice chairman’s China trip draws fire even from inside own party
Taiwan News, Matthew Strong, August 8, 2022
Human Rights and Religious Persecution
25. World trade in torture tools flourishes under lack of scrutiny
Elizabeth Beatie, Nikkei Asia, August 10, 2022
26. China labour watchdogs face tough tradeoffs to keep access alive
Nithin Coca, Aljazeera, Aug 10, 2022
27. Freed From Prison in China, Taiwan Activist Urges Resistance to Beijing’s Threats
Amy Qin and Amy Chang Chien, New York Times, August 8, 2022
28. Hong Kong Extends National Security Arrests to Civil Servants
Hayley Wong, Bloomberg, August 10, 2022
Industrial Policies and Economic Espionage
29. Bridgewater pushes back against Chinese 'All Weather' copycats
Samuel Shen, Carolina Mandl and Rachael Levy, Reuters, August 9, 2022
Billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio's huge popularity in China has not only drawn local investors flocking to his funds but also spawned home-grown challengers using his "All Weather" strategy and brand to try to beat him at his own game.
COMMENT: Oh the irony…
30. Taiwan security officials want Foxconn to drop stake in Chinese chipmaker
Kathrin Hille, Financial Times, August 10, 2022
31. U.S. Accuses China’s Largest Cable Manufacturer of Violating Export Controls
Dylan Tokar, Wall Street Journal, August 9, 2022
32. Meet China’s new tycoons
The Economist, August 5, 2022
33. China wages war on 'corruption' in chip industry after years of fundraising
Shunsuke Tabeta, Nikkei Asia, August 6, 2022
34. China Graft Probes Stem from Anger Over Failed Chip Plans
Bloomberg, August 9, 2022
35. Congress, China and the Plan to Compete
Eliot Chen, The Wire China, August 7, 2022
36. China Targets Israeli Technology in Quest for Global Dominance as U.S. Frets
Didi Kirsten Tatlow, Newsweek, August 10, 2022
Cyber & Information Technology
37. Chinese technology in the ‘Internet of Things’ poses a new threat to the west
Alexi Drew, Financial Times, August 10, 2022
38. Didi fears further retribution from China’s regulators
Sun Yu, Financial Times, August 5, 2022
39. China steps up cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns targeting Taiwan
Hsia Hsiao-hwa and Raymond Chung, American Military News, August 9, 2022
Military and Security Threats
40. U.S. Insists It Will Operate Around Taiwan, Despite China’s Pressure
David E. Sanger, Eric Schmitt and Ben Dooley, New York Times, August 10, 2022
41. China withdraws promise not to send troops to Taiwan if it takes control of island
Yew Lun Tian, Reuters, August 10, 2022
42. US-India military drills to be held near disputed border with China
Liu Zhen, South China Morning Post, August 10, 2022
43. Beijing’s Taiwan Aggression Has Backfired in Tokyo
William Sposato, Foreign Policy, August 10, 2022
44. Submarine drone that can fly developed by China
Michael Evans, Times of London, August 9, 2022
45. Fight or Surrender: Taiwan’s Generational Divide on China’s Threats
Amy Chang Chien, John Liu and Paul Mozur, New York Times, August 5, 2022
46. ‘She is the leader Taiwan needed’: softly spoken president draws China’s rage
Kathrin Hille, Financial Times, August 10, 2022
47. China Steps Up Military, Diplomatic Warnings Over Taiwan
Wenxin Fan, Joyu Wang and James T. Areddy, Wall Street Journal, August 5, 2022
48. China Ends Taiwan Drills
Karen Hao and Joyu Wang, Wall Street Journal, August 10, 2022
49. U.S. Seeks to Reassure Asian Allies as China’s Military Grows Bolder
Edward Wong and Damien Cave, New York Times, August 5, 2022
50. A weaker, more belligerent China?
Amit Bhandari, Indian Council on Foreign Relations, August 4, 2022
51. Tracking the Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis
Center for Strategic and International Studies, August 10, 2022
52. China expands military drills, escalates threats against Taiwan
Christian Shepherd and Amy B Wang, Washington Post, August 7, 2022
One Belt, One Road Strategy
53. Road to nowhere: China’s Belt and Road Initiative at tipping point
Adnan Aamir, Marwaan Macan-Markar, Shaun Turton and Cissy Zhou, Nikkei Asia, August 10, 2022
54. ‘Jewel in the Crown of Corruption’: The Troubles of Kenya’s China-Funded Train
Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, August 7, 2022
55. Bangladesh’s finance minister warns on Belt and Road loans from China
Benjami Parkin, Financial Times, August 9, 2022
Opinion Pieces
56. China, Russia and the West’s Crisis of Disbelief
Andrew A. Michta, Wall Street Journal, August 7, 2022
Decades of post-Cold War globalist dogma has weakened the West’s ability to acknowledge adversity and fight for what it holds dear.
57. The US and China are decoupling, but not as fast as you think
Leo Lewis, Financial Times, August 6, 2022
58. TSMC Chose the US. Now It Must Handle China
Tim Culpan, Bloomberg, August 5, 2022
59. Xi Jinping may attack Taiwan to secure his legacy, warn Admiral Lee Hsi-min and Eric Lee
The Economist, August 3, 2022
60. What G7 statement on Taiwan reveals about ‘rules-based international order’
Xu Xiaobing, South China Morning Post, August 10, 2022
61. Shipping Is Staying Cool About Taiwan
Elisabeth Braw, Foreign Policy, August 10, 2022
62. Why Russia is strongly backing China on Pelosi’s Taiwan visit
Danil Bochkov, South China Morning Post, August 10, 2022
63. The Mets should stand for baseball — not Chinese Communist Party propaganda
Meghan Kruger, Washington Post, August 4, 2022