On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with reactions to the PRC’s 12-point plan for a peaceful settlement of the Russian war in Ukraine, including why feigning neutrality fell flat with the international community, continued warnings from U.S. officials regarding weapons assistance, and a visit to Beijing from Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. From there: the Central Party Committee and State Council release new guidelines for legal education, examining the Chinese legal system under Xi, and thoughts on the implications of a Congressional investigation into the origins of Covid-19. At the end: Updates on Bao Fan, the crackdown on corruption in the financial sector, PRC currency ambitions, the shift to conducting life via mobile apps, and a word about gray hair.
We love feedback and questions for future episodes. To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm. You can also submit questions and feedback in the Sinocism chat:
PRC-Russia-Ukraine; US-PRC; Financial sector personnel and corruption -- Sinocism
China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis -- MoFA
President Xi Jinping Had a Virtual Meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin -- MoFA
Putin ally Lukashenko meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing -- CNN
Xi’s Law-and-Order Strategy -- Foreign Affairs
Lab Leak Most Likely Origin of Covid-19 Pandemic, Energy Department Now Says -- Wall St. Journal
The State of Dynamic Zero-COVID and Reactions to That ProPublica Report -- Sharp China:
Australia rides out Chinese sanctions as exports boom -- Financial Times
House committee on China starts two-year drive to ‘decouple’ -- Washington Post
Star Banker in China Who Vanished Is Said to Be Aiding Government Inquiry -- New York Times
Missing Banker Bao Fan Is Cooperating in China Probe, His Firm Says -- Bloomberg
With Streaks of Gray Hair, Xi Jinping of China Breaks With Tradition -- N.Y. Times
The Knockout EP01: Gao Qiqiang is Sent to the Police for Fighting | 狂飙 | iQIYI -- YouTube
Empty Rhetoric on Ukraine; The Judiciary Under Xi; When Congress Investigates Covid Origins; Updates on Bao Fan