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Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with the latest confrontation between the PRC and the Philippines in the South China Sea, clarity as to PRC maritime tactics that look increasingly like an undeclared blockade, and questions about when and how the US might get involved. From there: Qin Gang and Li Shangfu are formally removed from the State Council, the MSS discloses details of another citizen accused of spying for the US, and leaders of the Five Eyes go to Silicon Valley and 60 Minutes. At the end: Heightened scrutiny of Foxconn in advance of January’s presidential election in Taiwan, Tim Cook goes to China, Jon Stewart leaves Apple, and the New Yorker’s Evan Osnos examines the sentiments in China after Xi Jinping's first decade in power.

To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm

Li Shangfu and Qin Gang; 1T RMB in new debt; Xi visits PBoC and SAFE; Neighborhood diplomacy; AI chip controls — Sinocism

Second Thomas Shoal approaching a crisis?; Wang Yi to visit the US; Spy games intensify; Real estate, debt and stock market support; Malaise — Sinocism

U.S. Support for our Philippine Allies in the Face of Repeated PRC Harassment in the South China Sea — U.S. Department of State

Speak its name: Blockade — SeaLight

Counter-Coercion Series: Second Thomas Shoal Incident — Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative

China stealing technology secrets -- from AI to computing and biology, "Five Eyes" intelligence leaders warn — CBS News

“Five Eyes” intelligence leaders warn of China’s global espionage campaign — 60 Minutes YouTube

Five-Eyes Spies Are Bringing Their China Warnings in From the Cold — Bloomberg Opinion

Killing C.I.A. Informants, China Crippled U.S. Spying Operations — New York Times

China launches investigation into iPhone maker Foxconn, says state media — Financial Times

How China Built ‘iPhone City’ With Billions in Perks for Apple’s Partner — New York Times

Jon Stewart’s Show on Apple Is Ending — New York Times

China's Age of Malaise — The New Yorker

CCTV show on the arrest of another alleged American spy — CCTV YouTube

Monday Mindset: Your Purpose is NOT for you