Sharp China: Trump, Takaichi and a Game of Telephone; Japan Jawboning Continues; An Internet Governance Study Session; China Making Trade 'Impossible'
Deep Dives
Explore related topics with these Wikipedia articles, rewritten for enjoyable reading:
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Ryukyu independence movement
14 min read
The article mentions 'contested history surrounding Okinawa' in the context of PRC-Japan tensions. Understanding the complex history of the Ryukyu Kingdom, its annexation by Japan, and China's historical claims provides essential context for why Beijing sometimes questions Japanese sovereignty over Okinawa as a diplomatic pressure tactic.
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.
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Related Readings:
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
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
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