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/
Chinese military conducts combat readiness patrols in South China Sea – Xinhua: ‘The Philippines co-opted countries outside the region to organize the so-called joint patrols, which had undermined peace and stability in the region, said Zhai Shichen’
Chinese military conducts combat readiness patrols in South China Sea
english.news.cn
February 17, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Chinese military conducts combat readiness patrols in South China Sea – Xinhua: ‘The Philippines co-opted countries outside the region to organize the so-called joint patrols, which had undermined peace and stability in the region, said Zhai Shichen’
UK eyes allowing Chinese auditing standards in London after Starmer trip – Nikkei Asia: ‘The suggested change would temporarily allow auditors for mainland Chinese companies listing Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) in London to continue using Chinese accounting standards.’
UK eyes allowing Chinese auditing standards in London after Starmer trip
'Temporary' move aims to lower listing barriers, compete with Zurich and Frankfurt
asia.nikkei.com
February 17, 2026 at 9:27 AM
UK eyes allowing Chinese auditing standards in London after Starmer trip – Nikkei Asia: ‘The suggested change would temporarily allow auditors for mainland Chinese companies listing Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) in London to continue using Chinese accounting standards.’
Canada’s Carney constructs a mega anti-Trump trade alliance – POLITICO Europe: ‘Ottawa is “championing efforts to build a bridge between the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European Union, which would create a new trading bloc of 1.5 billion people,”’
Carney constructs a mega anti-Trump trade alliance
The Canadian prime minister is spearheading discussions between the EU and a major Indo-Pacific trade bloc after calling on middle powers to join forces.
www.politico.eu
February 17, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Canada’s Carney constructs a mega anti-Trump trade alliance – POLITICO Europe: ‘Ottawa is “championing efforts to build a bridge between the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European Union, which would create a new trading bloc of 1.5 billion people,”’
China’s companies cut back on year-end bonuses as profit margins narrow – SCMP: ‘26 per cent of respondents said they would receive no year-end bonuses for 2025, while nearly half the reported payouts topping out at the equivalent of one to two months’ salary.’
Year-end bonuses shrink in China amid slowing growth, report finds
As China heads into the Year of the Horse, its firms’ bonuses have slowed to a trot, with many employees missing out completely.
www.scmp.com
February 17, 2026 at 9:22 AM
China’s companies cut back on year-end bonuses as profit margins narrow – SCMP: ‘26 per cent of respondents said they would receive no year-end bonuses for 2025, while nearly half the reported payouts topping out at the equivalent of one to two months’ salary.’
The Philippines’ foreign ministry says takes exception to Chinese Embassy comment on job losses – Reuters: ‘Some senators have said China’s ambassador should be recalled, remarks that prompted the embassy to warn last week that any serious damage to bilateral ties would “cost millions of jobs.”’
Philippines says takes exception to Chinese Embassy comment on job losses
The Philippines takes "strong exception" to a statement by the Chinese Embassy in Manila that the simmering diplomatic spat between the two countries could result in millions of jobs being lost, the f...
www.reuters.com
February 17, 2026 at 9:17 AM
The Philippines’ foreign ministry says takes exception to Chinese Embassy comment on job losses – Reuters: ‘Some senators have said China’s ambassador should be recalled, remarks that prompted the embassy to warn last week that any serious damage to bilateral ties would “cost millions of jobs.”’
US President Donald Trump said that he’s discussing future weapons sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping and teased that he would soon make a decision about future defence support for the self-governing island – Bloomberg
Trump Says He’ll Soon Make Decision on Weapon Sales to Taiwan
President Donald Trump said that he’s discussing future weapons sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping and teased that he would soon make a decision about future defense support for the sel...
www.bloomberg.com
February 17, 2026 at 9:11 AM
US President Donald Trump said that he’s discussing future weapons sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping and teased that he would soon make a decision about future defence support for the self-governing island – Bloomberg
Nexperia’s main assembly centre is in Guangdong, but now outside the company’s control. The remaining 20-30% of its products was assembled in the other two centres in Malaysia and the Philippines. Plans for expansion in Malaysia were supposedly underway already when Wingtech halted them.
Nexperia to receive US$60 million loan from Dutch state-owned finance institution Invest International to boost chip output – Reuters: ‘FD said other financing negotiations for Nexperia are underway, citing a spokesperson.’
Nexperia to receive $60 million loan from Invest International to boost chip output
Dutch state-owned finance institution Invest International will provide chipmaker Nexperia with a $60 million loan to support a series of global investments in its production sites, it said in a state...
www.reuters.com
February 17, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Nexperia’s main assembly centre is in Guangdong, but now outside the company’s control. The remaining 20-30% of its products was assembled in the other two centres in Malaysia and the Philippines. Plans for expansion in Malaysia were supposedly underway already when Wingtech halted them.
Nexperia to receive US$60 million loan from Dutch state-owned finance institution Invest International to boost chip output – Reuters: ‘FD said other financing negotiations for Nexperia are underway, citing a spokesperson.’
Nexperia to receive $60 million loan from Invest International to boost chip output
Dutch state-owned finance institution Invest International will provide chipmaker Nexperia with a $60 million loan to support a series of global investments in its production sites, it said in a state...
www.reuters.com
February 17, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Nexperia to receive US$60 million loan from Dutch state-owned finance institution Invest International to boost chip output – Reuters: ‘FD said other financing negotiations for Nexperia are underway, citing a spokesperson.’
Nexperia krijgt lening van $60mln van staatsinvesteerder Invest International – FD: „moet bijdragen aan een reeks investeringen in de productiefaciliteiten van Nexperia wereldwijd”
„afgelopen maanden werd duidelijk dat financiers als gevolg van de grote onzekerheid hun leningen hadden teruggeroepen”
„afgelopen maanden werd duidelijk dat financiers als gevolg van de grote onzekerheid hun leningen hadden teruggeroepen”
Nexperia krijgt lening van $60 mln van staatsinvesteerder Invest International
De geplaagde Nijmeegse chipmaker gaat het kapitaal gebruiken voor de uitbreiding van de productiecapaciteit buiten China.
fd.nl
February 17, 2026 at 9:04 AM
Nexperia krijgt lening van $60mln van staatsinvesteerder Invest International – FD: „moet bijdragen aan een reeks investeringen in de productiefaciliteiten van Nexperia wereldwijd”
„afgelopen maanden werd duidelijk dat financiers als gevolg van de grote onzekerheid hun leningen hadden teruggeroepen”
„afgelopen maanden werd duidelijk dat financiers als gevolg van de grote onzekerheid hun leningen hadden teruggeroepen”
Japanese government to strengthen Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy amid ‘new challenges’ – The Japan Times: ‘would include plans to diversify supply chains for critical minerals, promoting joint development of artificial intelligence and incorporating cooperation via Japan’s military aid program’
Japan to strengthen Indo-Pacific strategy amid ‘new challenges’
Updates to the FOIP strategy will include sections focused on bolstering economic security and working on emerging technologies with “like-minded” partners.
www.japantimes.co.jp
February 16, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Japanese government to strengthen Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy amid ‘new challenges’ – The Japan Times: ‘would include plans to diversify supply chains for critical minerals, promoting joint development of artificial intelligence and incorporating cooperation via Japan’s military aid program’
Country Garden winding-up case dismissed, clearing restructuring path – Nikkei Asia: ‘The end of the case follows Country Garden’s finalized offshore debt restructuring plan’
Country Garden winding-up case dismissed, clearing restructuring path
Hong Kong company Kingboard had petitioned against developer over unpaid loan
asia.nikkei.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Country Garden winding-up case dismissed, clearing restructuring path – Nikkei Asia: ‘The end of the case follows Country Garden’s finalized offshore debt restructuring plan’
‘Romeo C. jarenlang spil bij witwassen via China’: drie jaar cel geëist tegen ex-international – Parool: „vermoeden […] dat er contant misdaadgeld vanuit Nederland naar China werd gebracht” „Zijn voorlaatste club, het Chinese Zhejiang Yiteng, speelt in de huidige verdenkingen een belangrijke rol.”
‘Romeo C. jarenlang spil bij witwassen via China’: drie jaar cel geëist tegen ex-international
Oud-voetballer Romeo C. zou voor miljoenen aan misdaadgeld hebben witgewassen via een Chinese voetbalclub. Dat zegt justitie over de voormalige Oranje-international, die in 2019 op Schiphol werd betra...
www.parool.nl
February 16, 2026 at 9:22 AM
‘Romeo C. jarenlang spil bij witwassen via China’: drie jaar cel geëist tegen ex-international – Parool: „vermoeden […] dat er contant misdaadgeld vanuit Nederland naar China werd gebracht” „Zijn voorlaatste club, het Chinese Zhejiang Yiteng, speelt in de huidige verdenkingen een belangrijke rol.”
Louis Vuitton fined in the Netherlands for money laundering tied to Chinese suspect – Caixin Global: ‘The case stems from a scheme involving a Chinese woman accused of laundering illicit funds through the resale of luxury handbags.’
Louis Vuitton Fined in Netherlands for Money Laundering Tied to Chinese Suspect
The luxury brand's Dutch arm faces a 500,000-euro penalty after failing to detect suspicious cash transactions linked to a Chinese national allegedly laundering over 2 million euros
www.caixinglobal.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Louis Vuitton fined in the Netherlands for money laundering tied to Chinese suspect – Caixin Global: ‘The case stems from a scheme involving a Chinese woman accused of laundering illicit funds through the resale of luxury handbags.’
Taiwan’s Legislature to prioritise special defence budget in legal review, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (KMT) says – Focus Taiwan: ‘The special defense budget and related proposals will be the “very first” items to be reviewed in the new session, which is set to begin in late February’
Taiwan to prioritize special defense budget in legal review: Legislative Speaker - Focus Taiwan
Taiwan's Legislature will place the NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget as its first item for review when the new session begins after the Lunar New Year holiday, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (韓...
focustaiwan.tw
February 16, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Taiwan’s Legislature to prioritise special defence budget in legal review, Legislative Speaker Han Kuo-yu (KMT) says – Focus Taiwan: ‘The special defense budget and related proposals will be the “very first” items to be reviewed in the new session, which is set to begin in late February’
Singapore’s harmony must be actively renewed, says PM Wong in Chinese New Year message – The Straits Times
Singapore’s harmony must be actively renewed, says PM Wong in Chinese New Year message
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasises the need to actively renew Singapore's harmony, highlighting its multicultural beauty and inter-generational responsibility. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read...
www.straitstimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Singapore’s harmony must be actively renewed, says PM Wong in Chinese New Year message – The Straits Times
As transatlantic divorce plays out in Munich, China enjoys the silence – SCMP: ‘ the event’s CEO Benedikt Franke praised the [CCP United Front-linked] China Centre for Globalisation […] for “coming here even when times weren’t rosy and when criticism of China was very direct and harsh”’
As transatlantic divorce plays out in Munich, China enjoys the silence
For long, China was a magnet for America’s rhetorical aggression. Now, it is the Europeans who are under fire.
www.scmp.com
February 15, 2026 at 4:38 PM
As transatlantic divorce plays out in Munich, China enjoys the silence – SCMP: ‘ the event’s CEO Benedikt Franke praised the [CCP United Front-linked] China Centre for Globalisation […] for “coming here even when times weren’t rosy and when criticism of China was very direct and harsh”’
As one door closes, another opens: Chinese migrants crossing the Balkans – Balkan Insight: ‘Driven by economic hardship and political discontent, a growing number of Chinese nationals are trying to reach the EU via the Balkans, their route to the United States made more difficult’
As One Door Closes, Another Opens: Chinese Migrants Crossing the Balkans
Their chances of settling in the United States increasingly bleak, a growing number of Chinese nationals are travelling visa-free to Serbia or Bosnia and Herzegovina and crossing into the European Uni...
balkaninsight.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:58 AM
As one door closes, another opens: Chinese migrants crossing the Balkans – Balkan Insight: ‘Driven by economic hardship and political discontent, a growing number of Chinese nationals are trying to reach the EU via the Balkans, their route to the United States made more difficult’
‘The best we can hope for’: Rubio’s Munich unity appeal fails to woo Europe – FT: ‘While Rubio’s tone was politer than the diatribe delivered by US vice-president JD Vance on the same stage the previous year […] the substance of the US message was little changed.’
‘The best we can hope for’: Rubio’s Munich unity appeal fails to woo Europe
US secretary of state sought to mollify but underlying message reinforced US administration’s talking points
www.ft.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:39 AM
‘The best we can hope for’: Rubio’s Munich unity appeal fails to woo Europe – FT: ‘While Rubio’s tone was politer than the diatribe delivered by US vice-president JD Vance on the same stage the previous year […] the substance of the US message was little changed.’
Is there any other way to read this than a declaration of Chinese support for anti-democratic tendencies in Serbia?
China’s Wang and Serbia’s Vučić vow to boost ties and deepen cooperation amid global uncertainties – Xinhua: ‘[Wang] commended Vucic for leading the Serbian people to uphold independence, oppose foreign interference and effectively safeguard national stability, dignity and overall development.’
China, Serbia vow to boost ties, deepen cooperation amid global uncertainties
english.news.cn
February 15, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Is there any other way to read this than a declaration of Chinese support for anti-democratic tendencies in Serbia?
Chinese FM Wang calls for bringing China-Czech relations back to healthy track – Xinhua: ‘Wang said that while the two countries enjoy a tradition of friendship, bilateral ties have experienced twists and turns in recent years, which serves the interests of neither side.’
Chinese FM calls for bringing China-Czech relations back to healthy track
english.news.cn
February 15, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Chinese FM Wang calls for bringing China-Czech relations back to healthy track – Xinhua: ‘Wang said that while the two countries enjoy a tradition of friendship, bilateral ties have experienced twists and turns in recent years, which serves the interests of neither side.’
Xi Jinping’s article on key tasks of China’s current economic work to be published – Xinhua: ‘Drawing from a speech delivered by Xi at the Central Economic Work Conference last December, the article highlights that domestic demand will remain a focus in building a robust domestic market.’
Xi's article on key tasks of China's current economic work to be published
english.news.cn
February 15, 2026 at 11:29 AM
Xi Jinping’s article on key tasks of China’s current economic work to be published – Xinhua: ‘Drawing from a speech delivered by Xi at the Central Economic Work Conference last December, the article highlights that domestic demand will remain a focus in building a robust domestic market.’
China’s finance ministry will waive import value‑added taxes between 2026 and 2030 on selected seeds, genetic resources and police dogs to boost agricultural competitiveness and breeding capacity – Bloomberg
China Waives Import Tax on Some Agricultural Seeds Through 2030
China will waive import value‑added taxes between 2026 and 2030 on selected seeds, genetic resources and police dogs to boost agricultural competitiveness and breeding capacity.
www.bloomberg.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:26 AM
China’s finance ministry will waive import value‑added taxes between 2026 and 2030 on selected seeds, genetic resources and police dogs to boost agricultural competitiveness and breeding capacity – Bloomberg
Japanese research vessel returns to port after collecting rare earth mud – Kyodo News: ‘as part of a study on the feasibility of extracting critical minerals from the seabed.’
Japan research vessel returns to port after collecting rare earth mud
A Japanese research vessel returned to a port in central Japan on Saturday after collecting mud containing rare earth elements as part of a study on the feasibility of extracting critical minerals fro...
english.kyodonews.net
February 15, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Japanese research vessel returns to port after collecting rare earth mud – Kyodo News: ‘as part of a study on the feasibility of extracting critical minerals from the seabed.’
Trump and Netanyahu agree to increase pressure on Iranian oil – Axios: ‘mostly when it comes to oil sales to China’
Trump and Netanyahu agree to increase pressure on Iranian oil
This could change Iran's calculus and push it to make more concessions regarding its nuclear program.
www.axios.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Trump and Netanyahu agree to increase pressure on Iranian oil – Axios: ‘mostly when it comes to oil sales to China’
Taiwan’s President Lai vows to strengthen island’s defences in Lunar New Year message – Reuters: ‘recorded at one of Taiwan’s most important military radar stations in the central mountain range which he visited earlier this month’
Taiwan president vows to strengthen island's defences in Lunar New Year message
Taiwan will strengthen its defence efforts and safeguard the island's security in the year ahead, President Lai Ching-te said in his Lunar New Year message released on Sunday.
www.reuters.com
February 15, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Taiwan’s President Lai vows to strengthen island’s defences in Lunar New Year message – Reuters: ‘recorded at one of Taiwan’s most important military radar stations in the central mountain range which he visited earlier this month’