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Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism

On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with the latest incident at Second Thomas Shoal, where the Chinese Coast Guard blocked an attempted resupply of the Sierra Madre in a standoff that caused damage to Philippine Naval vessels and several injuries to members of the Navy. Topics include: Another escalation in a devolving relationship, whether the U.S. will intervene, why China has ignored Vietnam’s buildup elsewhere in the Spratly Islands, and more. Then: Reports that Beijing has no preference between Biden or Trump in the upcoming U.S. election, the significance of the CMC Political Work Conference after a year of speculation about corruption throughout the PRC military, a report that Xi told EU leadership the U.S. wants China to invade Taiwan, reactions to a disturbing account of a Pentagon-backed propaganda campaign in the Philippines, and an email about Mount Everest.

To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm

@SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube

@Stratechery Channel — YouTube

Second Thomas Shoal; PLA rectification and political training; Tax; Moutai; Stock market; Ecuador — Sinocism

CMC Political Work Conference; Xi inspects Qinghai; Video from Second Thomas Shoal incident; Policy support for hard tech and venture capital — Sinocism

Video of Philippine Navy Confrontation with the Chinese Coast Guard on June 17, 2024 — X: @gmanews

US’ support for the Philippines is just psychological comfort — Global Times

Philippines secretly reinforces ship at centre of South China Sea dispute — Financial Times

Philippines secretly reinforces ship at centre of South China Sea dispute — Financial Times

China Has No Favorite in Biden-Trump Race, US Intelligence Finds — Bloomberg

Xi stresses PLA's political loyalty at crucial meeting held in old revolutionary base — Xinhua

How the Red Sun Rose — Columbia University Press

The Return of Peace Through Strength — Foreign Affairs

Xi Jinping claimed US wants China to attack Taiwan — Financial Times

Pentagon ran secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China during pandemic — Reuters

Myth of Mallory preserved in Everest's ice and snow — The Guardian