Listen now (55 mins) | 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.
Empty Rhetoric on Ukraine; The Judiciary Under Xi; When Congress Investigates Covid Origins; Updates on Bao Fan
This claim in The Economist seems to support Bill’s view on how US intelligence might have gotten hold of information on potential arms sales:
‘China is angry with the Kremlin that discussions over arms sale have been picked up by America and publicised, according to a European official familiar with the matter. China wanted any support to remain secret.’ https://www.economist.com/china/2023/03/02/chinese-arms-could-revive-russias-failing-war