Get all episodes of Sharp China, Sharp Tech, Stratechery Updates and Interviews, Greatest of All Talk and the Dithering Podcast as part of Stratechery Plus for $15/month or $150/year.

Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's trip to Beijing and Shanghai this week, including reports that the Blinken plans to warn PRC counterparts about their continued commercial support of Russia's defense industry, and additional reports that the U.S. has drafted sanctions that could be levied against Chinese banks facilitating that support. From there: The many flashpoints that have emerged since Xi Jinping and Joe Biden shared their "San Francisco Vision," talking points from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance of Blinken's visit, and interesting language from Speaker of the House Mike Johnson late last week. Then: The House TikTok legislation is about to become law, what TikTok may do next, and questions surrounding the PLA's new Information Support Force. At the end: A recent scandal for Chinese swimming inspires memories from the '90s and commentary from Ambassador Rahm Emanuel.

To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm

@SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube

@Stratechery Channel — YouTube

Xi in Chongqing; MoFA on Blinken visit; Financial sanctions over support for Russia? QE talk again; Another alleged PRC spy in Germany — Sinocism

PLA's new Information Support Force; Blinken to PRC; TikTok; Swimming scandal; UK and Germany espionage arrests — Sinocism

Blinken to warn China over weapons-related exports to Russia — Financial Times

U.S. Takes Aim at Chinese Banks Aiding Russia War Effort — Wall Street Journal

Sanctions, SWIFT, and China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payments System — CSIS

Chinese foreign ministry official on U.S. secretary of state's upcoming visit to China — Xinhua

TikTok fortune of billionaire Republican donor Jeff Yass threatened by Washington — Financial Times

Chinese diplomats are quietly meeting with Hill staffers about TikTok — Politico

China Orders Apple to Remove Popular Messaging Apps — Wall Street Journal

‘Team USA Was Cheated’: Chinese Doping Case Exposes Rift in Swimming — New York Times

Top Chinese Swimmers Tested Positive for Banned Drug, Then Won Olympic Gold — New York Times

Chinese generosity in lead-up to cleared doping tests reflects its growing influence on WADA — AP

Post by Ambassador Rahm Emanuel — X: USAmbJapan