Sharp China: US-China in Vienna and Munich; Hacking and Espionage Allegations; PRC Lobbying in DC; Rep. Gallagher to Depart Congress

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 recent meetings between US officials and PRC counterparts in Munich and Vienna, including complaints from both PRC Director of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong that the U.S. has harassed PRC students trying to enter the U.S., as well as a note about China's designation as a "major drug source country." From there: The MSS takes to WeChat to criticize the CIA, while the FBI Director warns the Munich Security Forum that Chinese malware capabilities have reached an unprecedented scale. From there: A Financial Times op-ed argues that America has done a poor job countering PRC information warfare, and Congressional staffers debate a blacklist policy for lobbying firms doing business with select PRC entities. At the end: Congressman Mike Gallagher announces he won't seek reelection, while Lionel Messi explains himself (again).Related readings:Holiday data OK; Emancipating minds; Kinmen; Party History; Wang Yi in Europe -- Sinocism China protests treatment of its students at Dulles and other U.S. entry points -- NBC News Memorandum on Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2024 -- The White House Spycraft and Statecraft -- Foreign Affairs National security authority accuses CIA of ‘bringing suit against its victims’ in bilingual article, showing anti-spy moves justified, legitimate -- Global Times FBI Director Says China Cyberattacks on U.S. Infrastructure Now at Unprecedented Scale -- WSJ The US needs a better strategic narrative or it will cede influence to China -- FT Lawmakers weigh blacklist for firms lobbying for Chinese military-linked companies -- Politico TikTok hires Biden-connected firm as it finds itself under D.C.’s microscope  -- Politico GOP Rising Star and China Watchdog Mike Gallagher to Quit Congress -- WSJ After fallout in China, Messi insists politics had nothing to do with missing game in Hong Kong -- AP Lionel Messi's official statement about missing the game in Hong Kong -- YouTube John Cena apologises to China for calling Taiwan a country (english subtitles) -- YouTubeTo add the Sharp China feed to your preferred podcast player:Click on the "listen on" button and you will see a dropdown with several options. Make sure you are logged into your account when you do it so you get the correct private RSS feed for subscribers. If you have not logged in for a while you can enter your email and then we will send you a login link.The “email link” in the pulldown shown above will send you an email that also makes it easy to set it up in your preferred podcast app on your phone.If you use the Substack app it has a built- in podcast player.Thanks for listening.