Friends,
No commentary this week and the issue is condensed as I’m in Northern Wisconsin with my son for the Cardinals-Packers game.
By the time you get this, hopefully we are tailgating.
Lambeau Field on Saturday, October 12, 2024
One interesting piece of trivia: The Green Bay Packers have the most wins in NFL history (802… hopefully 803 by Sunday afternoon) and the Arizona Cardinals have the most losses in NFL history.
Thanks for reading!
Matt
MUST READ
1. Russia, Iran, China expected to use AI to try to influence US election, report says
Ted Hesson, Reuters, October 2, 2024
The U.S. sees a growing threat of Russia, Iran and China attempting to influence the Nov. 5 elections, including by using artificial intelligence to disseminate fake or divisive information, according to an annual U.S. threat assessment released on Wednesday.
Russian "influence actors" have amplified stories about migrants entering the U.S. in an attempt to stoke discord, according to the Department of Homeland Security report, and have used generative AI to create fake websites that appeared to be authentic U.S.-based media outlets.
2. China expels ex-justice minister from Communist Party
Yukio Tajima, Nikkei Asia, October 8, 2024
China's top anti-corruption agency said Monday that former Justice Minister Tang Yijun has been stripped of his Communist Party membership over allegations that include receiving illicit income and abuse of power.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection opened an investigation into Tang in April on suspicion of "serious disciplinary violations."
COMMENT – Another minister removed.
3. World Bank Warns China’s Slowdown May Deepen, Pressure East Asia
Jasmine Ng, Bloomberg, October 7, 2024
The World Bank predicts China’s growth will slow to 4.3% by 2025, down from 4.8% in 2024, despite short-term boosts from recent stimulus measures. This slowdown will affect East Asia and the Pacific, with regional growth expected to decline.
4. Arctic Allies to Form Security Group to Counter Russia, China
Laura Dhillon Kane, Bloomberg, October 2, 2024
Canada is collaborating with Nordic countries to form a new Arctic security coalition, excluding Russia, to focus on defense, intelligence, and cyber threats. Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly emphasized the need for such talks due to growing concerns over Russia and China's interest in the Arctic.
5. China Detains Employees at Apple iPhone Factory Run by Foxconn
Joyu Wang, Wall Street Journal, October 10, 2024
Taiwan says investor confidence may be damaged after four Taiwanese are held.
Four Taiwanese employees at Chinese facilities that make products for Apple have been detained by local authorities, Taiwanese officials said, the latest example of corporate detentions that have hurt business confidence.
The employees worked at a complex run by Taiwan’s Foxconn Technology Group in Zhengzhou, China, said Taiwanese agencies responsible for managing relations with China. One of the agencies said the employees were accused of an offense akin to breach of trust, although the exact nature of the allegations couldn’t be determined.
The Zhengzhou facility plays a central role in Apple’s iPhone supply chain and has sometimes been called iPhone City.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, which handles policy toward Beijing, quoted Foxconn as saying that the company didn’t suffer any financial loss connected to the actions of the employees. Foxconn didn’t reply to a request for comment.
The council described the allegations as bizarre and said improper detention could severely damage investor confidence in China. It urged Chinese authorities to conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the matter.
The council in June upgraded its alert level for travel to China to the second-highest level, saying Taiwanese people should avoid nonessential trips. It said Beijing’s tightened national-security laws have led to Taiwanese citizens being illegally detained or interrogated.
The move came after China announced new rules targeting individuals it labels as “Taiwan independence die-hards,” threatening them with the death penalty. Taiwanese officials said such measures put many Taiwanese working in China at risk.
Taiwan’s semiofficial Straits Exchange Foundation said it has met with Foxconn and the families of the detainees and is helping them. The foundation handles business issues with China.
COMMENT - It seems like the CCP is deliberately sabotaging the business ties between the PRC and Taiwan.
Authoritarianism
6. Hong Kong plans to install thousands of surveillance cameras. Critics say it’s more proof the city is moving closer to China
Jessie Yeung, CNN, October 5, 2024
7. China tells schoolteachers to hand in their passports
Ryan McMorrow, Nian Liu, Sun Yu, and Gloria Li, Financial Times, October 6, 2024
8. ‘Impossible’ for Communist China to become our motherland as we’re older, Taiwan’s president argues
Nectar Gan, CNN, October 7, 2024
9. The Beijing-Moscow Axis Is Much Stronger This Time Around
Jo Inge Bekkevold, Foreign Policy, October 8, 2024
10. Former Taiwan leader Tsai to visit Czech Republic, other European destinations, drawing China's ire
Associated Press, October 8, 2024
11. Nightmares of a Chinese Invasion Inspire Taboo-Breaking Entertainment in Taiwan
Joyu Wang, New York Times, October 4, 2024
12. So, Are You Pregnant Yet? China’s In-Your-Face Push for More Babies.
Vivian Wang, New York Times, October 8, 2024
13. North Korea and China mark their 75th anniversary of ties as outsiders question their relationship
Hyung-jin Kim, Associated Press, October 5, 2024
Environmental Harms
14. Indian companies move in as US cuts China out of its solar industry
Amanda Chu and Chris Kay, Financial Times, October 5, 2024
Foreign Interference and Coercion
15. How the People’s Republic of China Seeks to Reshape the Global Information Environment
U.S Department of State, September 2023
16. China could wage economic war on Taiwan to force surrender, report says
Didi Tang, Associated Press, October 4, 2024
17. China is using an “anaconda strategy” to squeeze Taiwan
The Economist, October 3, 2024
18. RCMP accused of handling Chinese police stations "differently than other types of organized crime"
Sam Cooper, The Bureau, October 3, 2024
19. India bails out Maldives after president softens tilt towards China
John Reed, Arjun Neil Alim, and Joseph Cotterill, Financial Times, October 7, 2024
20. Russia, China and Iran Intend to Stoke False Election Claims, Officials Warn
Julian E. Barnes and Stephen Lee Myers, New York Times, October 7, 2024
Human Rights and Religious Persecution
Human Rights Watch, October 11, 2024
Chinese authorities should immediately release the man who unfurled banners critical of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the draconian “Zero-Covid” policy on Beijing’s Sitong Bridge two years ago, Human Rights Watch said today.
The authorities have not released information about the protester’s identity, though many in China believe that his name is Peng Lifa (彭立发, also known as Peng Zaizhou [彭载舟]), age 50. There are also unverified reports that some of his family members may have been put under house arrest.
“The Chinese government may have taken away the ‘Bridge Man,’ but his arrest ignited widespread support for a free and democratic China,” said Maya Wang, associate China director at Human Rights Watch. “Two years since Peng Lifa was taken into police custody and forcibly disappeared, his message continues to resonate.”
22. For Companies in China, Pulling Out of Xinjiang Poses ‘Messy Dilemma’
Keith Bradsher and Ana Swanson, New York Times, October 4, 2024
23. DHS Places First Steel and Aspartame PRC-Based Companies on the UFLPA Entity List
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, October 2, 2024
24. China-connected spamouflage networks spread antisemitic disinformation
Wenhao Ma, Substack, October 5, 2024
Industrial Policies and Economic Espionage
25. China's National Day break offers little relief for Hong Kong retailers
Stella Yifan Xie and Peggy Ye, Nikkei Asia, October 7, 2024
26. China's latest policy support stops short of long-awaited stimulus splash
Wataru Suzuki and Stella Yifan Xie, Nikkei Asia, October 8, 2024
27. China gives $28 billion to local governments as it vows to meet economic targets
Juliana Liu, CNN, October 8, 2024
28. China’s Stock Boom May Turn to Bust as in 2015, Nomura Warns
Jacob Gu, Bloomberg, October 3, 2024
29. Here’s How Bad China’s Economy Really Is. Can It Be Fixed?
Bloomberg, October 3, 2024
30. The China Cliff for Foreign Carmakers
Aaron Mc Nicholas, The Wire China, September 29, 2024
31. US tells China hi-tech trade limits are ‘not negotiable’ in meeting of commerce chiefs
Robert Delaney, South China Morning Post, October 9, 2024
32. China’s Stock Market Fever Breaks as Authorities Disappoint
Rebecca Feng, Wall Street Journal, October 8, 2024
33. China’s Ghost Cities Are a Problem for Europe’s Luxury Brands, Too
Carol Ryan, Wall Street Journal, October 8, 2024
34. Decision Time for GM in China: Stay, Scale Back or Go
Christopher Otts, Wall Street Journal, October 8, 2024
35. China is oversupplying lithium to eliminate rivals, US official says
Sergio Goncalves, Reuters, October 8, 2024
36. Chinese Semiconductor Stocks Extend Rally on China’s Stimulus Measures
Sherry Qin, Wall Street Journal, October 7, 2024
37. China’s travel industry faces reality check of ‘worst ever’ season
Luna Sun, South China Morning Post, October 6, 2024
Cyber & Information Technology
38. Chinese Chip Stocks Gain $13 Billion on Talk of Beijing Stimulus
Yuan Gao, Bloomberg, October 6, 2024
39. Chinese start-up Numemory claims memory chip breakthrough amid US tech sanctions
Xinmei Shen, South China Morning Post, October 2, 2024
Military and Security Threats
40. A Pakistani separatist group claims bombing that killed 2 Chinese near Karachi airport
Adil Jawad and Munir Ahmed, Associated Press, October 7, 2024
41. The 30-year-old internet backdoor law that came back to bite
Zack Whittaker, Techcrunch, October 7, 2024
42. China’s Coast Guard claims to have entered the Arctic Ocean for the first time as it ramps up security ties with Russia
Simone McCarthy, CNN, October 3, 2024
43. 5 Chinese nationals charged with covering up midnight visit to Michigan military site
Ed White, WKBN, October 2, 2024
44. Chinese Laser Anti-Drone System Spotted in Iran
Joseph Trevithick, The Warzone, October 7, 2024
45. U.S. Wiretap Systems Targeted in China-Linked Hack
Sarah Krouse, Dustin Volz, Aruna Viswanatha, and Robert McMillan, Wall Street Journal, October 5, 2024
46. China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier puts jets through paces after skirting Japanese atoll
Enoch Wong, South China Morning Post, October 4, 2024
One Belt, One Road Strategy
47. Inside Beijing’s app collecting information from Belt and Road companies
Daria Impiombato, Bethany Allen, and Nathan Attrill, ASPI, September 27, 2024
Opinion Pieces
48. Defining Success: Does the United States Need an “End State” for Its China Policy?
Jude Blanchette and Lily McElwee, CSIS, October 7, 2024
49. Taiwan Needs to Start Taking Defense Seriously
Anthony J. Constantini, Real Clear World, October 8, 2024
50. China, Clean Technologies, and National Security
Joshua Busby, Morgan Bazilian, and Emily Holland, War on the Rocks, October 2, 2024
51. An Alliance to Counter China’s Aggression
Rahm Emanuel, Wall Street Journal, October 8, 2024
52. If Stimulus Could Save China, It Wouldn’t Need It
Joseph C. Sternberg, Wall Street Journal, October 3, 2024
53. China’s stock rally for the ages shows power of crowds
Katie Martin, Financial Times, October 4, 2024