Sense Hofstede
@sensehofstede.nl
Researcher and teacher of the Indo-Pacific. Studies China, Singapore, and Taiwan; nationalism, party-state & international relations. | 何森璱
https://sensehofstede.nl/
https://sensehofstede.nl/
Reposted by Sense Hofstede
Merz at MSC: Europe will not adopt MAGA vision of free speech. It does not support tariffs and protectionism. It believes in climate change and the need for the WHO. "The US will run up against its own limits if it tries to go it alone"
February 13, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Merz at MSC: Europe will not adopt MAGA vision of free speech. It does not support tariffs and protectionism. It believes in climate change and the need for the WHO. "The US will run up against its own limits if it tries to go it alone"
Reposted by Sense Hofstede
The Pentagon released an updated Section 1260H list of Chinese Military Companies this morning, but now the document has been withdrawn, according to the Federal Register. Reuters reported the list added Alibaba, Baidu, BYD and removed YMTC and CXMT.
February 13, 2026 at 3:27 PM
The Pentagon released an updated Section 1260H list of Chinese Military Companies this morning, but now the document has been withdrawn, according to the Federal Register. Reuters reported the list added Alibaba, Baidu, BYD and removed YMTC and CXMT.
China’s commerce ministry says semiconductor supply chain stability is top priority after Dutch ruling on Nexperia – Reuters: ‘The ministry urged the Dutch side to meet China half way and create favorable conditions for companies to resolve internal disputes.’
China says semiconductor supply chain stability is top priority after Dutch ruling on Nexperia
Restoring stability to global semiconductor supply chains is the top priority, China's commerce ministry said Friday in response to a Dutch court ruling earlier this week on Nexperia, according to a s...
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:03 PM
China’s commerce ministry says semiconductor supply chain stability is top priority after Dutch ruling on Nexperia – Reuters: ‘The ministry urged the Dutch side to meet China half way and create favorable conditions for companies to resolve internal disputes.’
French chemical firm Eurolysine files EU complaint over cheap Chinese feed ingredient lysine – Reuters
French firm files EU complaint over cheap Chinese feed ingredient
French chemical company Eurolysine has filed a complaint with the European Union saying that a reduction in prices of Chinese lysine, used in animal feed, has made penalties to stop unfair pricing ine...
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:01 PM
French chemical firm Eurolysine files EU complaint over cheap Chinese feed ingredient lysine – Reuters
Taiwan’s GDP growth forecast raised to 7.71% for 2026 – Focus Taiwan: ‘on the back of robust global demand for artificial intelligence applications and the removal of tariff uncertainties’
Taiwan's GDP growth forecast raised to 7.71% for 2026 - Focus Taiwan
Taiwan's government has raised its forecast for 2026 gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 7.71 percent on the back of robust global demand for artificial intelligence applications and the removal of...
focustaiwan.tw
February 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Taiwan’s GDP growth forecast raised to 7.71% for 2026 – Focus Taiwan: ‘on the back of robust global demand for artificial intelligence applications and the removal of tariff uncertainties’
China mulls US manufacturing fund ahead of Xi-Trump summit, business leader says – SCMP: ‘China and the US are likely to secure several “very positive” outcomes but not a “grand bargain” at their presidential summit in April, according to the board chief of a major American business lobby.’
China mulls US manufacturing fund ahead of Xi-Trump summit, business leader says
Leaders to secure ‘very positive’ outcomes but no ‘grand bargain’ during talks in Beijing, AmCham China chair predicts.
www.scmp.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:59 PM
China mulls US manufacturing fund ahead of Xi-Trump summit, business leader says – SCMP: ‘China and the US are likely to secure several “very positive” outcomes but not a “grand bargain” at their presidential summit in April, according to the board chief of a major American business lobby.’
US expected to add Alibaba and others to Pentagon list of firms allegedly aiding China’s military, sources say – Reuters: ‘under a new law the department will be prevented in coming years from contracting and procuring from companies on the list.’
US expected to add Alibaba and others to list of firms allegedly aiding China's military, sources say
The Trump administration is expected to add companies, including Alibaba , to a list of firms allegedly aiding China's military as soon as Friday, two people familiar with the matter said.
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:57 PM
US expected to add Alibaba and others to Pentagon list of firms allegedly aiding China’s military, sources say – Reuters: ‘under a new law the department will be prevented in coming years from contracting and procuring from companies on the list.’
Beware of ‘political swindlers’, China’s cadres warned ahead of leadership change – SCMP: ‘Among the fresh warnings on Thursday’
‘the first time it has been cited in official documents to prepare the rank and file for a party congress.’
‘the first time it has been cited in official documents to prepare the rank and file for a party congress.’
Beware of ‘political swindlers’, China’s cadres warned ahead of leadership change
Communist Party’s anti-corruption agencies say there is still a danger of graft in the promotion process.
www.scmp.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Beware of ‘political swindlers’, China’s cadres warned ahead of leadership change – SCMP: ‘Among the fresh warnings on Thursday’
‘the first time it has been cited in official documents to prepare the rank and file for a party congress.’
‘the first time it has been cited in official documents to prepare the rank and file for a party congress.’
Europe’s China shock worsens as trade deficit widens – POLITICO Europe: ‘up nearly a fifth from […] 2024’
‘The widening deficit was the driven both by a 6.3 percent increase in imports from China, and a 6.5 percent decline in EU exports to China.’
‘The widening deficit was the driven both by a 6.3 percent increase in imports from China, and a 6.5 percent decline in EU exports to China.’
Europe’s China shock worsens as trade deficit widens
The EU’s trade deficit in goods with China grew to €359B last year, new figures show.
www.politico.eu
February 13, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Europe’s China shock worsens as trade deficit widens – POLITICO Europe: ‘up nearly a fifth from […] 2024’
‘The widening deficit was the driven both by a 6.3 percent increase in imports from China, and a 6.5 percent decline in EU exports to China.’
‘The widening deficit was the driven both by a 6.3 percent increase in imports from China, and a 6.5 percent decline in EU exports to China.’
Chinese fighter jets locked radar on foreign stealth plane at 800 metres, PLA Daily-affiliated social media account claims – SCMP: ‘four months after state media reported a similar encounter.’
Chinese fighter jets locked radar on foreign stealth plane: PLA Daily
Military commentators say PLA aircraft cited by official military paper was likely to have been a J-16.
www.scmp.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Chinese fighter jets locked radar on foreign stealth plane at 800 metres, PLA Daily-affiliated social media account claims – SCMP: ‘four months after state media reported a similar encounter.’
Student who launched petition urging probe into deadly Tai Po fire says CUHK expelled him weeks before graduation – HKFP: ‘Miles Kwan said in a social media post shortly after midnight on Friday that he was kicked out of CUHK after six years of study.’
Student who urged Tai Po fire probe says CUHK expelled him
A Chinese University of Hong Kong student who launched a now-removed petition calling for accountability following the deadly Tai Po fire has said he has been expelled.
hongkongfp.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Student who launched petition urging probe into deadly Tai Po fire says CUHK expelled him weeks before graduation – HKFP: ‘Miles Kwan said in a social media post shortly after midnight on Friday that he was kicked out of CUHK after six years of study.’
Ukraine’s FM Andrii Sybiha says China could help end the war, invites counterpart to Ukraine – Reuters: ‘after a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.’
Ukraine's FM says China could help end the war, invites counterpart to Ukraine
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Friday that he had invited his Chinese counterpart to visit Ukraine, adding that Beijing could help to end the four-year war with Russia.
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Ukraine’s FM Andrii Sybiha says China could help end the war, invites counterpart to Ukraine – Reuters: ‘after a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.’
US Secretary of State Rubio meets China’s top diplomat Wang Yi in Munich – Reuters
Rubio meets China's top diplomat Wang Yi
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday, as Washington and Beijing eye a visit by President Donald Trump t...
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:49 AM
US Secretary of State Rubio meets China’s top diplomat Wang Yi in Munich – Reuters
Defeatist Europe is set for growing dependence on China without decisive action – Jacob Gunter for MERICS: ‘only huge financial and geopolitical sacrifices today will save the region from greater pain tomorrow’
Defeatist Europe is set for growing dependence on China without decisive action
Europe's executives and politicians need to recognize that only huge financial and geopolitical sacrifices today will save the region from greater pain tomorrow, says Jacob Gunter.European trouble wit...
merics.org
February 13, 2026 at 11:04 AM
Defeatist Europe is set for growing dependence on China without decisive action – Jacob Gunter for MERICS: ‘only huge financial and geopolitical sacrifices today will save the region from greater pain tomorrow’
China’s National Bureau of Statistics overhauls consumer price basket, with never-before-seen unveiling of its composition – SCMP
China overhauls CPI basket, with never-before-seen unveiling of its composition
Beijing’s five-year recalibration aims to better reflect consumption, as policymakers shift weight away from food and housing.
www.scmp.com
February 13, 2026 at 10:48 AM
China’s National Bureau of Statistics overhauls consumer price basket, with never-before-seen unveiling of its composition – SCMP
Singapore Budget 2026: Seven things you need to know – CNA: ‘this year's Budget focused on strengthening Singapore's resilience while supporting workers and households.’
Budget 2026: Seven things you need to know
From cost-of-living support to a new CPF investment scheme, here are the key takeaways from Budget 2026.
www.channelnewsasia.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Singapore Budget 2026: Seven things you need to know – CNA: ‘this year's Budget focused on strengthening Singapore's resilience while supporting workers and households.’
Chinese leaders extend Spring Festival greetings to retired senior officials – Xinhua: ‘The retired senior officials voiced wholehearted support for Xi Jinping’s core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole’
Chinese leaders extend Spring Festival greetings to retired senior officials
english.news.cn
February 13, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Chinese leaders extend Spring Festival greetings to retired senior officials – Xinhua: ‘The retired senior officials voiced wholehearted support for Xi Jinping’s core position on the CPC Central Committee and in the Party as a whole’
Economic Watch: New growth drivers in sight as China powers up future industries – Xinhua: ‘quantum technology, biomanufacturing, hydrogen and nuclear fusion power, brain-computer interfaces, embodied artificial intelligence (AI) and 6G mobile communications.’
Economic Watch: New growth drivers in sight as China powers up future industries
english.news.cn
February 13, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Economic Watch: New growth drivers in sight as China powers up future industries – Xinhua: ‘quantum technology, biomanufacturing, hydrogen and nuclear fusion power, brain-computer interfaces, embodied artificial intelligence (AI) and 6G mobile communications.’
Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison warns of legal action if Danish firm Maersk takes over Panama ports – HKFP: ‘CK Hutchison also said on Thursday that it had notified Panama of international arbitration proceedings it has initiated’
HK's CK Hutchison warns of legal action if Maersk takes over Panama ports
Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison has warned it will take legal action if Danish shipping giant AP Møller-Maersk takes over the operation of two ports on the Panama Canal run by its subsidiary.
hongkongfp.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison warns of legal action if Danish firm Maersk takes over Panama ports – HKFP: ‘CK Hutchison also said on Thursday that it had notified Panama of international arbitration proceedings it has initiated’
Outbound mergers and acquisitions from Greater China approached US$12 billion this January, the most for the first month of a year since 2017 – Bloomberg: ‘Reasons for the shift include heightened competition and fewer opportunities at home, as well as renewed confidence and financial strength’
China Is Snapping Up Overseas Assets Again From Puma to Metals
After Beijing slammed them shut about a decade ago, the gates have flung open again for Chinese firms to go on overseas acquisition sprees.
www.bloomberg.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Outbound mergers and acquisitions from Greater China approached US$12 billion this January, the most for the first month of a year since 2017 – Bloomberg: ‘Reasons for the shift include heightened competition and fewer opportunities at home, as well as renewed confidence and financial strength’
China’s second-hand home prices fell at a slower pace in January, a rare positive sign during the prolonged property crisis – Bloomberg: ‘Resale home prices in 70 cities dropped 0.54% from December, the smallest decline in eight months’
China Used Home Prices Fall at Slower Pace in Relief to Market
China’s second-hand home prices fell at a slower pace in January, providing a glimmer of hope that the prolonged property crisis is easing.
www.bloomberg.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:20 AM
China’s second-hand home prices fell at a slower pace in January, a rare positive sign during the prolonged property crisis – Bloomberg: ‘Resale home prices in 70 cities dropped 0.54% from December, the smallest decline in eight months’
China’s commerce ministry holds roundtable meeting with German companies – Reuters: ‘The meeting on Thursday was chaired by Ling Ji, China’s vice minister of commerce and included the German Chamber of Commerce and officials from China’
China holds roundtable meeting with German companies
China's Ministry of Commerce met representatives from over 60 German companies and organisations, including BASF , BMW Group and Bayer , it said on Friday, adding that both countries are committed to ...
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:17 AM
China’s commerce ministry holds roundtable meeting with German companies – Reuters: ‘The meeting on Thursday was chaired by Ling Ji, China’s vice minister of commerce and included the German Chamber of Commerce and officials from China’
China and US teams held anti-narcotics intelligence meeting, Xinhua reports – Reuters
China and US held anti-narcotics intelligence meeting, Xinhua reports
China and the United States held an anti-narcotics intelligence exchange meeting from Tuesday to Thursday in the U.S., Chinese state media reported on Friday.
www.reuters.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:16 AM
China and US teams held anti-narcotics intelligence meeting, Xinhua reports – Reuters
Chinese fishing boat seized off southwestern Japan, skipper arrested – Kyodo News: ‘about 170 kilometers southwest of the island of Meshima in Goto, Nagasaki.’
Chinese fishing boat seized off southwestern Japan, skipper arrested
Japanese authorities seized a Chinese fishing boat and arrested its skipper for allegedly defying an order to stop while within Japan's exclusive economic zone off Nagasaki Prefecture, the Fisheries A...
english.kyodonews.net
February 13, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Chinese fishing boat seized off southwestern Japan, skipper arrested – Kyodo News: ‘about 170 kilometers southwest of the island of Meshima in Goto, Nagasaki.’
OpenAI has warned US lawmakers that its Chinese rival DeepSeek is using unfair and increasingly sophisticated methods to extract results from leading US AI models to train the next generation of its breakthrough R1 chatbot – Bloomberg
OpenAI Accuses DeepSeek of Distilling US Models to Gain an Edge
OpenAI has warned US lawmakers that its Chinese rival DeepSeek is using unfair and increasingly sophisticated methods to extract results from leading US AI models to train the next generation of its b...
www.bloomberg.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:10 AM
OpenAI has warned US lawmakers that its Chinese rival DeepSeek is using unfair and increasingly sophisticated methods to extract results from leading US AI models to train the next generation of its breakthrough R1 chatbot – Bloomberg