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/
A wave of unexplained China-linked bot traffic is sweeping the web – Wired: ‘If the websites don’t care about traffic from China or Singapore at all, some also elect to prevent anyone with an IP address located in those countries from accessing their sites.’
A Wave of Unexplained Bot Traffic Is Sweeping the Web
From small publishers to US federal agencies, websites are reporting unusual spikes in automated traffic linked to IP addresses in Lanzhou, China.
www.wired.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:54 PM
A wave of unexplained China-linked bot traffic is sweeping the web – Wired: ‘If the websites don’t care about traffic from China or Singapore at all, some also elect to prevent anyone with an IP address located in those countries from accessing their sites.’
Just keep bragging about your incredibly intelligence to make them a bit paranoid.
February 12, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Just keep bragging about your incredibly intelligence to make them a bit paranoid.
Hong Kong government to deregister three Apple Daily firms, list them as ‘prohibited organisations’ – HKFP: ‘The move comes after media mogul Jimmy Lai, the newspaper’s founder, was jailed for 20 years in his high-profile national security case.’
Gov't to deregister 3 Apple Daily firms, list them as 'prohibited organisations'
The Hong Kong government has begun the process to de-register three companies linked to the Apple Daily newspaper and list them as "prohibited organisations," authorities have said.
hongkongfp.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Hong Kong government to deregister three Apple Daily firms, list them as ‘prohibited organisations’ – HKFP: ‘The move comes after media mogul Jimmy Lai, the newspaper’s founder, was jailed for 20 years in his high-profile national security case.’
New EU industry act keeps friends closer—and shuts out China – POLITICO Europe: ‘the draft Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) foresees a definition of “Made in EU” that includes “trusted partners.” Brussels wants to throw up a higher barrier to investment from China’
New EU industry act keeps friends closer — and shuts out China
The Industrial Accelerator Act would include “trusted partners” in its Made in EU mandate, and further curb investment by China.
www.politico.eu
February 12, 2026 at 9:11 PM
New EU industry act keeps friends closer—and shuts out China – POLITICO Europe: ‘the draft Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) foresees a definition of “Made in EU” that includes “trusted partners.” Brussels wants to throw up a higher barrier to investment from China’
Exclusive: Palo Alto chose not to tie China to hacking campaign for fear of retaliation from Beijing, sources say – Reuters: ‘the hackers appeared to focus on Czechia’s government infrastructure following an August meeting between Czechia’s president and the Dalai Lama’
Exclusive: Palo Alto chose not to tie China to hacking campaign for fear of retaliation from Beijing, sources say
Palo Alto Networks opted not to tie China to a global cyberespionage campaign the firm exposed last week over concerns that the cybersecurity company or its clients could face retaliation from Beijing...
www.reuters.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Exclusive: Palo Alto chose not to tie China to hacking campaign for fear of retaliation from Beijing, sources say – Reuters: ‘the hackers appeared to focus on Czechia’s government infrastructure following an August meeting between Czechia’s president and the Dalai Lama’
Exclusive: Trump pauses China tech bans ahead of Xi summit – Reuters: ‘The measures include a ban on China Telecom's U.S. operations and restrictions on sales of Chinese equipment for U.S. data centers, […] The U.S. has also put on hold proposed bans on domestic sales of routers made by TP-Link’
Exclusive: Trump pauses China tech bans ahead of Xi summit
The Trump administration has shelved a number of key tech security measures aimed at Beijing ahead of an April meeting between the two countries' presidents. The measures include a ban on China Teleco...
www.reuters.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Exclusive: Trump pauses China tech bans ahead of Xi summit – Reuters: ‘The measures include a ban on China Telecom's U.S. operations and restrictions on sales of Chinese equipment for U.S. data centers, […] The U.S. has also put on hold proposed bans on domestic sales of routers made by TP-Link’
CIA makes new push to recruit Chinese military officers as informants – Reuters: ‘It follows a similar effort last May that focused on fictional figures within China's ruling Communist Party that provided detailed Chinese-language instructions on how to securely contact U.S. intelligence.’
CIA makes new push to recruit Chinese military officers as informants
Just weeks after a dramatic purge of China's top general, the CIA is moving to capitalize on any resulting discord with a new public video targeting potential informants in the Chinese military.
www.reuters.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:08 PM
CIA makes new push to recruit Chinese military officers as informants – Reuters: ‘It follows a similar effort last May that focused on fictional figures within China's ruling Communist Party that provided detailed Chinese-language instructions on how to securely contact U.S. intelligence.’
CIA releases new video in bid to lure Chinese military officers to spy for US – FT: ‘releasing a Chinese-language video to appeal to People’s Liberation Army officers who are disillusioned with corruption and extensive purges of top generals.’
CIA releases new video in attempt to lure Chinese military officers to spy for US
US intelligence agency seeks to tap into frustration over extensive purges at People’s Liberation Army
www.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:08 PM
CIA releases new video in bid to lure Chinese military officers to spy for US – FT: ‘releasing a Chinese-language video to appeal to People’s Liberation Army officers who are disillusioned with corruption and extensive purges of top generals.’
Red Dawn Over China: How Communism Conquered a Quarter of Humanity—the brutality behind the propaganda – FT: ‘Dikötter’s general argument is, as he puts it, that “Communism was never popular in China.” It was imposed on the Chinese through systemic, unrelenting violence.’
Red Dawn Over China: How Communism Conquered a Quarter of Humanity — brutality behind the propaganda
Frank Dikötter dismantles CCP myths about Mao’s leadership to tell a story of Chinese repression that is still relevant today
www.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Red Dawn Over China: How Communism Conquered a Quarter of Humanity—the brutality behind the propaganda – FT: ‘Dikötter’s general argument is, as he puts it, that “Communism was never popular in China.” It was imposed on the Chinese through systemic, unrelenting violence.’
What China is really up to in the Arctic – The Economist: ‘Mr Trump’s recent claim that Chinese navy ships were lurking off Greenland was codswallop. […] But Chinese activities elsewhere in the Arctic are genuinely troubling […], especially because of China’s alignment with Russia.’
What China is really up to in the Arctic
Its close co-operation with Russia is alarming many in the region
www.economist.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:02 PM
What China is really up to in the Arctic – The Economist: ‘Mr Trump’s recent claim that Chinese navy ships were lurking off Greenland was codswallop. […] But Chinese activities elsewhere in the Arctic are genuinely troubling […], especially because of China’s alignment with Russia.’
How China wants to create a ‘Polar Silk Road’ through the Arctic – FT: ‘China’s icebreaker construction programme has added to western alarm about Chinese and Russian advances in the Arctic’
How China wants to create a ‘Polar Silk Road’ through the Arctic
Beijing targets shipping routes and resources in far north
www.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:02 PM
How China wants to create a ‘Polar Silk Road’ through the Arctic – FT: ‘China’s icebreaker construction programme has added to western alarm about Chinese and Russian advances in the Arctic’
Xi’s new year message to military reveals PLA Cyberspace Force post in South China Sea – SCMP: ‘CCTV footage showed a section of the PLA Cyberspace Force stationed in the South China Sea on Fiery Cross Reef, an artificial island in the disputed Spratly Islands’
Xi’s new year greeting reveals PLA Cyberspace Force post in South China Sea
Analyst says deployment signals Chinese military’s cyber warfare capabilities ‘are no longer confined to the mainland’.
www.scmp.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Xi’s new year message to military reveals PLA Cyberspace Force post in South China Sea – SCMP: ‘CCTV footage showed a section of the PLA Cyberspace Force stationed in the South China Sea on Fiery Cross Reef, an artificial island in the disputed Spratly Islands’
Senior military official Zhang Shengmin stresses political guidance and combat readiness in pre-festival troop visit – Xinhua: ‘Zhang urged efforts to strengthen political loyalty in all aspects and throughout the entire process of military development’
Senior military official stresses political guidance, combat readiness in pre-festival troop visit
english.news.cn
February 12, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Senior military official Zhang Shengmin stresses political guidance and combat readiness in pre-festival troop visit – Xinhua: ‘Zhang urged efforts to strengthen political loyalty in all aspects and throughout the entire process of military development’
Xinhua Commentary: For Europe, true de-risking means de-Americanising – Xinhua: ‘For years, European policymakers have echoed Washington’s [sic] “de-risking” rhetoric, a term originally crafted to justify containing China’s development under the guise of economic caution.’
Xinhua Commentary: For Europe, true de-risking means de-Americanizing
english.news.cn
February 12, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Xinhua Commentary: For Europe, true de-risking means de-Americanising – Xinhua: ‘For years, European policymakers have echoed Washington’s [sic] “de-risking” rhetoric, a term originally crafted to justify containing China’s development under the guise of economic caution.’
IW-Studie: Rückgang der China-Abhängigkeit bei deutschen Jobs – Handelsblatt: „Die vom Export nach China abhängende Anzahl von Jobs in Deutschland ist einer Studie zufolge in den vergangenen Jahren stark gesunken. Seit 2021 ist sie um rund 40 Prozent zurückgegangen”
Arbeitsmarkt: IW-Studie – Rückgang der China-Abhängigkeit bei deutschen Jobs
Deutlich weniger deutsche Jobs sind vom Export nach China abhängig. Das ist auch eine Folge von Maßnahmen, die die chinesische Regierung ergriffen hat.
www.handelsblatt.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:40 PM
IW-Studie: Rückgang der China-Abhängigkeit bei deutschen Jobs – Handelsblatt: „Die vom Export nach China abhängende Anzahl von Jobs in Deutschland ist einer Studie zufolge in den vergangenen Jahren stark gesunken. Seit 2021 ist sie um rund 40 Prozent zurückgegangen”
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’
Chinese FM Wang Yi calls for joint efforts to deepen China-Hungary friendship and cooperation – Xinhua: ‘Looking ahead, Wang called on the two sides to continue making efforts in five aspects.’
Chinese FM calls for joint efforts to deepen China-Hungary friendship, cooperation
english.news.cn
February 12, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Chinese FM Wang Yi calls for joint efforts to deepen China-Hungary friendship and cooperation – Xinhua: ‘Looking ahead, Wang called on the two sides to continue making efforts in five aspects.’
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
‘Wake-up call’ for Greece as air force officer accused of spying for China – The Guardian: ‘Chinese operatives are thought to have initially approached their target online before recruiting him at a Nato conference in an unidentified European country.’
‘Wake-up call’ for Greece as air force officer accused of spying for China
Christos Flessas being detained in case seen as exposing Beijing’s strategy of infiltrating western military and security services
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 10:22 AM
‘Wake-up call’ for Greece as air force officer accused of spying for China – The Guardian: ‘Chinese operatives are thought to have initially approached their target online before recruiting him at a Nato conference in an unidentified European country.’