Sharp China with Bill Bishop

Politico’s Rendering of a Xi ‘Purge’; Finance with Chinese Characteristics; Moody’s Works from Home; Secretary Raimondo Warns Chip Companies

Dec 8, 2023

Bill Bishop, author of Sinocism, joins Andrew to discuss the rumors surrounding China's disappearing cabinet members, the finance sector in China, Moody's precautions for its local employees, and Secretary Raimondo's warnings about chip companies.

01:07:29

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Episode guests

Bill Bishop

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Quick takeaways

Growing political tension in China raises concerns about global economic impact and regional peace.

Moody's downgrade of China's credit outlook and ideological control by the Communist Party may impact investor confidence.

US Secretary of Commerce warns of escalating measures to protect chip technology and urges prioritization of national security over short-term financial gains.

Deep dives

China's political purge and its implications

A recent article discusses a Stalin-like purge happening in China's political system, highlighting its potential impact on the global economy and regional peace. The article provides examples of high-level officials, such as Xin Gong and Li Keqiang, being implicated in Western intelligence agency compromises and sudden deaths. While some skepticism exists regarding the article's claims, it brings attention to the growing atmosphere of paranoia and political tension in China.

Introduction

4min

The Uncertainty and Speculation of Chinese Politics

22min

Party Control and Financial Restructuring

26min

Gina Raimondo's Strong Statements on Security and Commerce

4min

Intelligence Agencies, BIS Budget, Nividia's Actions

2min

Regulating US Companies' Sale of Chips to China

7min

Challenges in Hiring for Government and the Importance of Government Relationships in Semiconductor Firms

3min

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Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin by parsing the claims contained in a controversial piece from Politico, including thoughts on the spectrum of rumors surrounding this year’s disappearing cabinet members, the smaller-than-ever circle of true insiders in Xi’s China, and certain details of present-day CPC politics and that are beyond dispute. From there: Several stories in and around the finance sector, where there have been more warnings against relaying bad news, there is still no third plenum announcement, the Central Financial Work Commission has provided new guidance, and Moody’s is taking precautions for its local employees. At the end: Checking in with Secretary Gina Raimondo, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, the House of Representatives, and Huawei's role in the PRC chip constellation.

To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm

Finance with Chinese characteristics; Politico on recent elite rumors; Wang-Blinken chat; Nuclear power; Vaping; Moody's — Sinocism

Unswervingly Follow the Path of Financial Development with Chinese Characteristics — Translation by Sinocism

China’s Xi goes full Stalin with purge — Politico EU

China military official warns of ‘erroneous ideological trends’ spreading in PLA — South China Morning Post

Media groups raise concerns following report of ‘missing’ Hong Kong journalist in China — CNN

Matter of minutes: Why Cheng Lei did not see her family for three years — Sydney Morning Herald

China Investment Bank Bans Displays of Wealth — Bloomberg

China’s Xi Seen Delaying Key Economic Plenum, Defying Norms — Bloomberg

Xi Jinping Is Asserting Tighter Control of Finance in China — New York Times

Moody’s advised staff to work from home ahead of China outlook cut — Financial Times

Moody’s Faces Growing Backlash Over Its Negative Outlook on China — Wall Street Journal

RNDF 2023 Fireside Chat – The Honorable Gina M. Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce — Reagan Foundation YouTube

China Secretly Transforms Huawei Into Most Powerful Chip War Weapon — Bloomberg

House Speaker Johnson Drops China Investment Curbs From Defense Bill — Bloomberg

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Sharp China with Bill Bishop

Politico’s Rendering of a Xi ‘Purge’; Finance with Chinese Characteristics; Moody’s Works from Home; Secretary Raimondo Warns Chip Companies

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

China's political purge and its implications

Restrictions on negative financial comments and ideological control

US Secretary of Commerce emphasizes the need to protect chip technology

China's focus on party control and rejection of Western financial theory

Delay of the third plenum and implications for economic stability

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts