(Preview) Parsing the Third Plenum Communique; Xi and the Rumor Mill; Trump on Taiwan; Biden and the Chip Status Quo

Sharp China with Bill Bishop

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Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism

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On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with an overview of the third plenum and its significance before turning to Thursday's communique in the wake of the plenum. Topics include: Official news on Qin Gang and Li Shangfu twelve months after they each disappeared, the wide-range of goals throughout the communique, questions as we wait for implementation, and the party's stated goal of completing its reform tasks by 2029. From there: The rumors swirling around Xi Jinping and his health this week, and follow-up to the controversy surrounding edible oils. At the end: Reactions to President Trump's comments on Taiwan and America as an insurance company, and two stories on the state of the Biden chip policy.

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Third Plenum communique; Disappointing or too early to tell?; Qin Gang may have a soft landing — Sinocism

Trump on Taiwan; PRC suspends arms control talks with US; More chip controls?; WSJ fires Selina Cheng; AI — Sinocism

Full text: Communique of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China — China Daily

China plenum vows reforms, accepts Qin Gang resignation — Nikkei Asia

Fact Check: Months-old photos of China’s Xi Jinping shared in July 2024 — Reuters

Intense Online Censorship Seeks to Dampen Scandal Over Unwashed Fuel Tankers Transporting Cooking Oil — China Digital Times

App that tracked fuel tankers in China used to transport cooking oil is disabled — The Guardian

The Donald Trump Interview Transcript — Bloomberg

US Floats Tougher Trade Rules to Rein In China Chip Industry — Bloomberg

Google, Microsoft Help Chinese Firms Skirt Ban on Nvidia Chips — The Information

As China boosts ties with Russia, Belarus, Europe ponders possible rising threat — SCMP

PRC DC Embassy on the political situation in Washington DC — Sinocism