Sharp China: A Missile Test and New PLA Generals; The CITIC Plane Crash; America's Taiwan Interests; Guo Wengui Jailed and Ezra Jin Released

Andrew and Bill discuss Monday's SLBM test from the PLA Navy and two new PLA generals promoted. They also discuss the CITIC plane crash and a major security breach in Beijing. There are questions about the release of pastor Ezra Jin and context for the U.S. sentencing of disgraced tycoon Guo Wengui. The Washington Wizards get a letter from Rep. John Moolenaar.

Peking duck dispute heightens EU-China trade tensions

Unlimited access to FT.com is available for four weeks for $1, then $75 per month for the next 75 per cent of unlimited access. You can cancel anytime during the trial period. . "You can get unlimited access to quality FT journalism on any device.

Visible power
Visible power

Doublethink Lab is a nonprofit organization that works to render authoritarian power visible. The event discussed strategies to deter Beijing’s authoritarian expansion and influence operations. The 2026 China in the World Summit will take place on July 6 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Interview: Dr Sun Yixian on his new database tracking Chinese climate ‘leadership’

The number of global climate initiatives launched or run by China has been growing since 2009. Dr Sun Yixian, study co-author and professor of sustainability governance at the University of Bath, compiled a database tracking all global environmental initiatives established from the 1980s onwards that were either created by China or co-created with other governments. They range from research cooperation and south-south climate funding to high-level policy signalling, such as joint statements on climate change.

Muse Image, Grok 4.5, Alex Karp on CNBC

Stratechery Plus offers full access to the Stratechery newsletter, podcast, and other content. It costs $15 per month or $150 per year. It's free for students. It auto-renews monthly/annually, but can be cancelled at any time.

China’s media gloat at Britain’s chaotic democracy

Sir Keir Starmer resigned as British Prime Minister last month. China's state-run media suggested that liberal democracies are unstable. People's Daily asked Cui Hongjian, a Chinese diplomat-turned-professor, if there is a problem with this type of government.

Taiwan International Ocean Forum held in Taipei

The 2026 Taiwan International Ocean Forum was held July 8-9 in Taipei City. It was organized by the Ocean Affairs Council and featured keynote speeches and in-depth dialogues on issues including Indo-Pacific leadership and regional security, the role of coast guard agencies in countering gray-zone activities, sustainable development and emerging technologies for ocean governance.

China’s capital markets take on Xi Jinping’s tech ambitions

Li Qiang, China's premier, mentioned Unitree, a robotics firm, and its explosion in its valuation from 10m yuan to 42bn yuan ($6bn) in a decade. C Hina's leaders rarely namecheck individual companies. It is rare for them to talk up a group's valuation.

China may struggle to fund Xi Jinping’s tech ambitions

Li Qiang, China's premier, mentioned Unitree, a robotics firm, and its explosion in its valuation from 10m yuan to 42bn yuan ($6bn) in a decade. C Hina's leaders rarely namecheck individual companies. It is rare for them to talk up a group's valuation.

How Europe’s rush for Chinese air conditioners exposes the gap in Brussels’ trade policy

A heatwave is driving demand for Chinese air conditioners in Europe, just as Brussels seeks to narrow its record trade deficit with China through new restrictions. Observers say there is a contradiction between public demand and political rhetoric. EU leaders met last month to address concerns over “China Shock 2.0” – anxieties about China’s dominance in electric vehicles, batteries and solar power.

Sharp China: A Missile Test and New PLA Generals; The CITIC Plane Crash; America's Taiwan Interests; Guo Wengui Jailed and Ezra Jin Released
Sharp China: A Missile Test and New PLA Generals; The CITIC Plane Crash; America's Taiwan Interests; Guo Wengui Jailed and Ezra Jin Released

Andrew and Bill discuss Monday's SLBM test from the PLA Navy and two new PLA generals promoted. They also discuss the CITIC plane crash and a major security breach in Beijing. There are questions about the release of pastor Ezra Jin and context for the U.S. sentencing of disgraced tycoon Guo Wengui. The Washington Wizards get a letter from Rep. John Moolenaar.

Sinocism
independent
Peking duck dispute heightens EU-China trade tensions
Peking duck dispute heightens EU-China trade tensions

Unlimited access to FT.com is available for four weeks for $1, then $75 per month for the next 75 per cent of unlimited access. You can cancel anytime during the trial period. . "You can get unlimited access to quality FT journalism on any device.

Chinese economy
economics
Visible power
Visible power

Doublethink Lab is a nonprofit organization that works to render authoritarian power visible. The event discussed strategies to deter Beijing’s authoritarian expansion and influence operations. The 2026 China in the World Summit will take place on July 6 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Taiwan Today -
geopolitics
Interview: Dr Sun Yixian on his new database tracking Chinese climate ‘leadership’
Interview: Dr Sun Yixian on his new database tracking Chinese climate ‘leadership’

The number of global climate initiatives launched or run by China has been growing since 2009. Dr Sun Yixian, study co-author and professor of sustainability governance at the University of Bath, compiled a database tracking all global environmental initiatives established from the 1980s onwards that were either created by China or co-created with other governments. They range from research cooperation and south-south climate funding to high-level policy signalling, such as joint statements on climate change.

Carbon Brief
environment
Muse Image, Grok 4.5, Alex Karp on CNBC
Muse Image, Grok 4.5, Alex Karp on CNBC

Stratechery Plus offers full access to the Stratechery newsletter, podcast, and other content. It costs $15 per month or $150 per year. It's free for students. It auto-renews monthly/annually, but can be cancelled at any time.

Stratechery by Ben Thompson
technology
China’s media gloat at Britain’s chaotic democracy
China’s media gloat at Britain’s chaotic democracy

Sir Keir Starmer resigned as British Prime Minister last month. China's state-run media suggested that liberal democracies are unstable. People's Daily asked Cui Hongjian, a Chinese diplomat-turned-professor, if there is a problem with this type of government.

The Economist
corporate
Taiwan International Ocean Forum held in Taipei
Taiwan International Ocean Forum held in Taipei

The 2026 Taiwan International Ocean Forum was held July 8-9 in Taipei City. It was organized by the Ocean Affairs Council and featured keynote speeches and in-depth dialogues on issues including Indo-Pacific leadership and regional security, the role of coast guard agencies in countering gray-zone activities, sustainable development and emerging technologies for ocean governance.

Taiwan Today -
geopolitics
China’s capital markets take on Xi Jinping’s tech ambitions
China’s capital markets take on Xi Jinping’s tech ambitions

Li Qiang, China's premier, mentioned Unitree, a robotics firm, and its explosion in its valuation from 10m yuan to 42bn yuan ($6bn) in a decade. C Hina's leaders rarely namecheck individual companies. It is rare for them to talk up a group's valuation.

The Economist
corporate
China may struggle to fund Xi Jinping’s tech ambitions
China may struggle to fund Xi Jinping’s tech ambitions

Li Qiang, China's premier, mentioned Unitree, a robotics firm, and its explosion in its valuation from 10m yuan to 42bn yuan ($6bn) in a decade. C Hina's leaders rarely namecheck individual companies. It is rare for them to talk up a group's valuation.

The Economist
corporate
How Europe’s rush for Chinese air conditioners exposes the gap in Brussels’ trade policy
How Europe’s rush for Chinese air conditioners exposes the gap in Brussels’ trade policy

A heatwave is driving demand for Chinese air conditioners in Europe, just as Brussels seeks to narrow its record trade deficit with China through new restrictions. Observers say there is a contradiction between public demand and political rhetoric. EU leaders met last month to address concerns over “China Shock 2.0” – anxieties about China’s dominance in electric vehicles, batteries and solar power.

News - South China Morning Post
geopolitics
Toast Message