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/
Xi Jinping urges basic research push for original innovations – Xinhua: ‘in a recent instruction on work related to the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).’
Xi urges basic research push for original innovations
english.news.cn
February 12, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Xi Jinping urges basic research push for original innovations – Xinhua: ‘in a recent instruction on work related to the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).’
Xi Jinping attends Chinese New Year gathering with non-CCP personages – Xinhua: ‘Addressing the gathering, Xi noted that 2025 was an extraordinary year.’
Xi attends Chinese New Year gathering with non-CPC personages
english.news.cn
February 12, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Xi Jinping attends Chinese New Year gathering with non-CCP personages – Xinhua: ‘Addressing the gathering, Xi noted that 2025 was an extraordinary year.’
Chinese premier Li Qiang calls for comprehensive push in AI innovation and application – Xinhua: ‘while presiding over a State Council group study session focused on AI development.’
Chinese premier calls for comprehensive push in AI innovation, application
english.news.cn
February 12, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Chinese premier Li Qiang calls for comprehensive push in AI innovation and application – Xinhua: ‘while presiding over a State Council group study session focused on AI development.’
Caixin Global: ‘China’s post-pandemic recovery is no longer a straightforward story of rebound or slowdown. It is better understood as a two-speed economy — one in which fast-expanding new sectors are gaining traction, while traditional growth engines remain structurally constrained.’
Analysis: In China’s Two-Speed Economy, Old Burdens Weigh on Broader Recovery
China’s growth trajectory for years to come will hinge on how effectively policymakers can sustain the momentum of faster-growing sectors such as EVs while addressing the structural drag from traditio...
www.caixinglobal.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:33 AM
Caixin Global: ‘China’s post-pandemic recovery is no longer a straightforward story of rebound or slowdown. It is better understood as a two-speed economy — one in which fast-expanding new sectors are gaining traction, while traditional growth engines remain structurally constrained.’
German court jails US military contractor in China spy case – AFP: ‘The man worked as a contractor for the US Defense Department between 2017 and 2023, including at a US military base in Germany since at least 2020’
German court jails US military contractor in China spy case | Euractiv
The man worked as a contractor for the US Defense Department between 2017 and 2023, including at a US military base in Germany
www.euractiv.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:30 AM
German court jails US military contractor in China spy case – AFP: ‘The man worked as a contractor for the US Defense Department between 2017 and 2023, including at a US military base in Germany since at least 2020’
China and Hungary vow to deepen all-round cooperation – Xinhua: ‘Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán here on Wednesday’
‘China will, as always, support Hungary in safeguarding its sovereignty, […] opposing interference in Hungary’s internal affairs.’
‘China will, as always, support Hungary in safeguarding its sovereignty, […] opposing interference in Hungary’s internal affairs.’
China, Hungary vow to deepen all-round cooperation
english.news.cn
February 12, 2026 at 10:27 AM
China and Hungary vow to deepen all-round cooperation – Xinhua: ‘Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán here on Wednesday’
‘China will, as always, support Hungary in safeguarding its sovereignty, […] opposing interference in Hungary’s internal affairs.’
‘China will, as always, support Hungary in safeguarding its sovereignty, […] opposing interference in Hungary’s internal affairs.’
Chinese regulator bans carmakers from pricing vehicles below cost, intensifying its crackdown on a persistent price war – Bloomberg: ‘By using a broad definition of production cost, China’s top market regulator is closing a loophole that helped companies’ aggressive sales expansion’
China Bans Below-Cost Car Sales to End Prolonged Price War
China has banned carmakers from pricing vehicles below cost, intensifying its crackdown on a persistent price war that’s engulfed the world’s largest auto market.
www.bloomberg.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:25 AM
Chinese regulator bans carmakers from pricing vehicles below cost, intensifying its crackdown on a persistent price war – Bloomberg: ‘By using a broad definition of production cost, China’s top market regulator is closing a loophole that helped companies’ aggressive sales expansion’
China has bought some Venezuelan oil that was purchased earlier by the US, according to Energy Secretary Chris Wright – Bloomberg
China Has Bought Some Venezuelan Oil From the US, Wright Says
China has bought some Venezuelan oil that was purchased earlier by the US, according to Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
www.bloomberg.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:23 AM
China has bought some Venezuelan oil that was purchased earlier by the US, according to Energy Secretary Chris Wright – Bloomberg
China finalised import tariffs on some EU dairy products at much lower rates than were outlined in December – Bloomberg: ‘as much as 12%’
China Sets Duties Up to 12% on EU Dairy, Below Initial Rates
China set final import tariffs on some dairy products from the European Union well below preliminary rates outlined late last year, in the latest sign of stabilizing trade ties between Beijing and Bru...
www.bloomberg.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:20 AM
China finalised import tariffs on some EU dairy products at much lower rates than were outlined in December – Bloomberg: ‘as much as 12%’
Keep Xi Jinping firmly in charge; rural officials must behave – Dim Sums: ‘An Agriculture Ministry meeting on January 27 had a less cheerful tone, ordering rural officials to wring corruption and graft out of the system as they implement the 15th 5-year plan in the countryside this year.’
Keep Xi Jinping Firmly in Charge; Rural Officials Must Behave
Propaganda ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday shows Xi Jinping firmly in charge of everyone and everything. But he has pointedly refused to...
dimsums.blogspot.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Keep Xi Jinping firmly in charge; rural officials must behave – Dim Sums: ‘An Agriculture Ministry meeting on January 27 had a less cheerful tone, ordering rural officials to wring corruption and graft out of the system as they implement the 15th 5-year plan in the countryside this year.’
China’s Baidu unveils AI-driven Wikipedia challenger in bid for international users – SCMP: ‘BaiduWiki, a Wikipedia-style service available in English, Spanish, French, Russian and Japanese, quietly went live on Monday’
Baidu unveils AI-driven Wikipedia challenger in bid for global users
BaiduWiki, a version of the firm’s Baidu Baike online encyclopaedia, is available in English, Spanish, French, Russian and Japanese.
www.scmp.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:15 AM
China’s Baidu unveils AI-driven Wikipedia challenger in bid for international users – SCMP: ‘BaiduWiki, a Wikipedia-style service available in English, Spanish, French, Russian and Japanese, quietly went live on Monday’
Trump and Xi expected to extend trade truce at Beijing summit – SCMP: ‘would anchor the summit around short-term economic wins, including fresh Chinese purchase commitments, the sources said.’
Exclusive | China confirms talks with US about Trump visit as trade truce stays on the cards
US president and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping may roll back tariffs for up to a year as officials seek short-term economic wins.
www.scmp.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Trump and Xi expected to extend trade truce at Beijing summit – SCMP: ‘would anchor the summit around short-term economic wins, including fresh Chinese purchase commitments, the sources said.’
Applied Materials to pay US$252 million fine over illegal chipmaking equipment exports to China’s SMIC – Reuters
Applied Materials to pay $252 million over illegal exports to China
The U.S. Department of Commerce on Wednesday announced a $252 million settlement with Applied Materials for illegally exporting chipmaking equipment to China's top chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturin...
www.reuters.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Applied Materials to pay US$252 million fine over illegal chipmaking equipment exports to China’s SMIC – Reuters
US government bars Palau Senate president from entry – Reuters: ‘accusing him of corruption linked to China’
US bars Palau Senate president, former Marshall Islands mayor from entry
The United States on Tuesday barred Palau Senate President Hokkons Baules and his family from entering the U.S., accusing him of corruption linked to China, as Washington pushes back on Beijing's effo...
www.reuters.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:11 AM
US government bars Palau Senate president from entry – Reuters: ‘accusing him of corruption linked to China’
China and Mexico held talks amid trade tensions over tariffs – Reuters: ‘the first face-to-face talks since Mexico imposed higher tariffs on Chinese imports, drawing warnings from Beijing.’
China, Mexico held talks amid trade tensions over tariffs
China's chief trade negotiator Li Chenggang met Mexico's Deputy Economy Minister Vidal Llerenas in Beijing on Monday, in the first face-to-face talks since Mexico imposed higher tariffs on Chinese imp...
www.reuters.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:10 AM
China and Mexico held talks amid trade tensions over tariffs – Reuters: ‘the first face-to-face talks since Mexico imposed higher tariffs on Chinese imports, drawing warnings from Beijing.’
Foreign cars flow to Russia through China, skirting Ukraine war sanctions – Reuters: ‘informal networks enabling Russian dealers to order them through Chinese intermediaries’
Foreign cars flow to Russia through China, skirting Ukraine war sanctions
Tens of thousands of cars are being exported from China to Russia under gray-market schemes that often circumvent Western and Asian government sanctions and automakers' commitments to exit the Russian...
www.reuters.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Foreign cars flow to Russia through China, skirting Ukraine war sanctions – Reuters: ‘informal networks enabling Russian dealers to order them through Chinese intermediaries’
China’s commerce ministry softens stance on EV makers negotiating with EU individually – Reuters: ‘after Volkswagen secured a tariff reprieve for one of its China-made SUV models.’
China softens stance on EV makers negotiating with EU individually
China's commerce ministry shifted its stance on Thursday by accepting that Chinese electric vehicle makers can negotiate independently with the European Union, after Volkswagen secured a tariff reprie...
www.reuters.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:06 AM
China’s commerce ministry softens stance on EV makers negotiating with EU individually – Reuters: ‘after Volkswagen secured a tariff reprieve for one of its China-made SUV models.’
California man sentenced to four years for covert work on China’s behalf – The New York Times: ‘including by supporting the successful election campaign of a Chinese American candidate.’
‘monitoring the movements of Taiwan’s president [Tsai Ing-wen] during her visit’
‘monitoring the movements of Taiwan’s president [Tsai Ing-wen] during her visit’
California Man Sentenced to 4 Years for Covert Work on China’s Behalf
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:59 AM
California man sentenced to four years for covert work on China’s behalf – The New York Times: ‘including by supporting the successful election campaign of a Chinese American candidate.’
‘monitoring the movements of Taiwan’s president [Tsai Ing-wen] during her visit’
‘monitoring the movements of Taiwan’s president [Tsai Ing-wen] during her visit’
Interview: Taiwan’s President Lai wants greater defence and AI cooperation with Europe – AFP: ‘Taiwan also supports the island’s semiconductor companies investing overseas, including in Europe.’
Taiwan leader wants greater defence cooperation with Europe: AFP interview
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te called for greater defence and AI cooperation between Taiwan and Europe, as the democratic island seeks to bolster its protection against China. "I would like Taiwan a...
www.yahoo.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Interview: Taiwan’s President Lai wants greater defence and AI cooperation with Europe – AFP: ‘Taiwan also supports the island’s semiconductor companies investing overseas, including in Europe.’
Ex-opposition lawmaker Lin Kuo-chen 林國成 (TPP) could face prison for insulting President Lai – Focus Taiwan: ‘repeatedly used profane language during the July 20, 2025 speech and swore directly at Lai five times’
Ex-opposition lawmaker could face prison for insulting President Lai - Focus Taiwan
Former Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Legislator Lin Kuo-chen (林國成) could face prison time after being indicted Thursday for insulting President Lai Ching-te (賴清德).
focustaiwan.tw
February 12, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Ex-opposition lawmaker Lin Kuo-chen 林國成 (TPP) could face prison for insulting President Lai – Focus Taiwan: ‘repeatedly used profane language during the July 20, 2025 speech and swore directly at Lai five times’
Ten Taiwanese lawmakers indicted for brawling in Legislature – Focus Taiwan: ‘a spate of brawls inside the legislative chamber and a committee room in 2024 and 2025.’
10 Taiwan lawmakers indicted for brawling in Legislature - Focus Taiwan
Ten lawmakers from Taiwan's two main political parties were indicted Thursday for causing bodily injury and other offenses during a spate of brawls inside the legislative chamber and a committee room ...
focustaiwan.tw
February 12, 2026 at 8:48 AM
Ten Taiwanese lawmakers indicted for brawling in Legislature – Focus Taiwan: ‘a spate of brawls inside the legislative chamber and a committee room in 2024 and 2025.’
KMT sues Liberty Times over reports on meetings with CCP – Focus Taiwan: ‘One was about alleged “conditions” tied to arranging the meeting and another claiming a KMT lawmaker attended a gathering of Taiwan business people in China “to receive instructions from the other side,” he said.’
KMT sues Liberty Times over reports on meetings with CCP - Focus Taiwan
The Kuomintang (KMT) said Wednesday it has filed civil litigation against the Liberty Times and its editor-in-chief Tzou Jiing-wen (鄒景雯), accusing the newspaper of publishing "entirely untrue" reports...
focustaiwan.tw
February 12, 2026 at 8:40 AM
KMT sues Liberty Times over reports on meetings with CCP – Focus Taiwan: ‘One was about alleged “conditions” tied to arranging the meeting and another claiming a KMT lawmaker attended a gathering of Taiwan business people in China “to receive instructions from the other side,” he said.’
Reposted by Sense Hofstede
Get off my lawn! Far fewer young cadres are rising up into the ranks of the Central Committee – Youshu/China: ‘The situation for under-50s was ever grimmer. Xi chose ZERO of them to join him in the Central Committee at the 19th and 20th Congresses. Talk about a lack of succession planning.’
Get off my lawn!
Far fewer young cadres are rising up into the ranks of the Central Committee.
youshu.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Get off my lawn! Far fewer young cadres are rising up into the ranks of the Central Committee – Youshu/China: ‘The situation for under-50s was ever grimmer. Xi chose ZERO of them to join him in the Central Committee at the 19th and 20th Congresses. Talk about a lack of succession planning.’
An army of lawyers is advancing. Taiwan is the target – Nathan Attrill and Shelly Shih for The ASPI Strategist: ‘The objective is not legal resolution but deterrence’
An army of lawyers is advancing. Taiwan is the target | The Strategist
China has built not only a military to coerce Taiwan, but an army of lawyers to intimidate and constrain it. In 2025, Beijing’s lawfare campaign shifted decisively from largely declaratory threats to ...
www.aspistrategist.org.au
February 11, 2026 at 12:43 PM
An army of lawyers is advancing. Taiwan is the target – Nathan Attrill and Shelly Shih for The ASPI Strategist: ‘The objective is not legal resolution but deterrence’