Sharp China: Pending Taiwan Arms Sales; Jimmy Lai Sentenced; Takaichi Secures a Supermajority; AI Models as Propaganda Vectors

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit sinocism.comShow Notes:On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with the reports that the PRC is threatening to scuttle Trump’s visit to Beijing over a second arms package from the U.S. to Taiwan, including thoughts on next moves from the U.S., how this arms shipment happened, and the PLA’s dangerous aerial maneuvers around Taiwan. From there: Reactions to the news that Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in Hong Kong prison, a State Council white paper on “One Country Two Systems,” and Sanae Takaichi’s party secures a supermajority in Japan three months after the PRC’s pressure campaign over her Taiwan comments. At the end: The propaganda value of AI models, and a word about hockey and the Winter Olympics.Click here for instructions to add the podcast to your preferred player. Or listen to it in the appGet more from Bill Bishop in the Substack appAvailable for iOS and AndroidGet the appRelated Readings:Jimmy Lai sentenced; Xi on Sci-tech self-reliance; Japan elections; US-China; Nanjing Museum case; AI propaganda -- SinocismXi’s Beijing inspection; Li on rare earths; Hong Kong white paper; Taiwan Affairs Work Conference; PBoC report -- SinocismChina warns US arms sales to Taiwan could threaten Trump visit in April -- FTChina steps up dangerous air encounters near Taiwan -- FTChina critic and former media tycoon Jimmy Lai is sentenced to 20 years in a Hong Kong security case -- APExclusive | China rallies neighbours against Japan in rare meeting. Will it work? -- SCMPUK, UN and EU deplore ‘monumental injustice’ of Jimmy Lai’s 20-year jail sentence -- The GuardianJapan’s Leader Wins in a Landslide, Clearing Way for Hard-Line Agenda -- NYTHow Japan’s Leader Rescued Her Party from the Abyss -- NYTTokens of AI Bias -- China Media ProjectChinese artificial intelligence distorts perceptions -- Estonian Foreign Intelligence ServiceActivist father of U.S. Olympian Alysa Liu targeted by Chinese spy ring -- APWho is Alysa Liu, Team USA’s alt-girl figure skater who just won an Olympic gold medal? -- Yahoo! Sports