Xi inspects Guizhou; BlackRock-CK Hutchinson ports deal under attack; TikTok; US ceding the global information battlefield

Is the BlackRock-CK Hutchinson deal in trouble, even if legally there is no way for Beijing or Hong Kong to scuttle it?

Today’s top items:

1. Xi inspects Guizhou - Xi Jinping went on an inspection tour of Guizhou. Among the named officials accompanying him were Cai Qi, PBSC member and still Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier He Lifeng. In a meeting with the Guizhou leadership he said the "province should continue to strengthen its real economy as the foundation, drive innovation, and balance the transformation of traditional industries with the growth of emerging sectors. It should actively develop strategic emerging industries and enhance digital and new energy industries. Maintaining a long-term vision, making sound scientific decisions, and adopting precise policies are crucial to balancing economic speed with efficiency, ensuring qualitative improvements and reasonable quantitative growth. Environmental protection should also be prioritized…