Sharp China with Bill Bishop

(Preview) Official Secrets and a Royal Mess in the UK; Trillion Dollar Rumors in the Trade War; 300,000 Sim Cards in New York and New Jersey

6 snips
Oct 8, 2025
A UK spy scandal unfolds as charges against two men are dropped, raising eyebrows about government reluctance to label China as an enemy. Political fallout ensues, casting doubt on Prime Minister Starmer's leadership. Meanwhile, the EU suggests tariff hikes against Chinese steel, and discussions about a trillion-dollar resolution to the US-China trade war spark skepticism. In a surprising twist, a 'China-linked plot' surfaces concerning communication disruptions in New York City, while the NBA reconnects with fans in Macao.
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ANECDOTE

Alleged Leak From Parliament To Beijing

  • Bill describes the two accused men: one based in China and one who worked in UK Parliament for the China Research Group.
  • He recounts allegations that reports were passed to a Ministry of State Security handler and possibly reached top CCP officials.
INSIGHT

Political Choice Undid The Prosecution

  • Prosecutors dropped charges after Labour ministers refused to call China an "enemy" in court.
  • That political decision removed the legal basis to convict under the Official Secrets Act and collapsed the case.
INSIGHT

High Legal Bar Meets Political Intervention

  • The Official Secrets Act requires proving assistance to an "enemy," making its evidentiary bar very high.
  • Bill notes that political intervention ahead of trial suggests a scandalous decision to pull a case with apparent strong evidence.
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