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Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism

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.

To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm

@SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube

@Stratechery Channel — YouTube

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