US pressure on China grows with Iran attack
"In Iran, as in Venezuela in January, while there were multiple factors at work, more than local or even regional politics were in play, two analysts told Newsweek.
“The objective is to choke out the primary source of cheap oil to China,” Madi Kapparov, an economist and the Head of Research at the Centre for Information Defence and Strategies which has offices in London, said."
--- Dubious that Trump has any such long-term strategy. For him, it's all about deals and money.
Just like in Venezuela, there probably will not be much of a regime change in Iran. Unless Israel pushes Trump further, there will probably be a deal with the new government to de-escalate and maybe refrain from supporting Hamas and Hezbollah. Trump couldn't care less about the people in Iran.
"Figures for how much of its oil China imported from Iran vary “from 0 to 18 percent,” since Chinese Customs data stopped reporting Iran deliveries in 2022, Kapparov said. About 13 percent of China’s crude oil shipped via sea came from Iran, according to Reuters, but the trade was shrouded in secrecy with ship-to-ship transfers taking place including off Malaysia. Until January, Venezuela supplied about four percent of China’s oil needs. Hopes in China that the loss of Venezuelan oil would be offset by Iranian imports now appear dashed"
--- So less than 20% of Chinese imported oil comes from Iran. And that's the primary source for cheap oil? I doubt that China will have major problems to find other sources for that oil that is not coming from Iran anymore.
"“They talk in grandiose terms about all these regimes that are supportive and partners with them, but when push comes to shove, what have they done to support Venezuela against the United States? The answer is they really couldn’t do anything. And I think it’s the same effectively, or very similar in reality, with Iran,”"
--- Yep.
MOFA tells China not to ‘meddle’ in evacuations
"China subsequently issued an evacuation notice for its citizens. In a news release, the Chinese embassy in Israel said holders of “Taiwan compatriot permits (台胞證)” issued to Taiwanese nationals by Chinese authorities for travel to China — could register for evacuation to Egypt. In Taipei, the ministry yesterday said Taiwan has already activated its own mechanisms and does not require Beijing to “meddle.”"
--- The CCP, being benevolent as always, with no ulterior motives at all, of course.
China removes nine military officials ahead of key political meeting
"China has removed 19 officials, including nine from the military, from its list of lawmakers ahead of its biggest annual political meeting next week.
[...] No official reason for the removal has been given, but it comes just weeks after President Xi Jinping removed Zhang Youxia, his highest-ranking general and also one of his closest military allies, from his role."
--- Emperor Xi's paranoia strikes again.
Japanese investment in China keeps rising, despite political tensions
"At a time when Tokyo and Beijing appear to be drifting further apart politically, Japanese capital is moving in the opposite direction.
Despite diplomatic relations sinking to a new low, figures from China’s Ministry of Commerce show that Japanese foreign direct investment (FDI) into China surged by 55.5% year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2025."
--- Not that you can trust Chinese official data, but it appears that Japanese companies are just as stupid as European ones, particularly German ones.
"We are already seeing US companies investing in China’s pharmaceutical industry via Saudi Arabia. It is likely that by 2026, more Japanese firms, seeking to hedge against geopolitical risk, will invest in China through subsidiaries or joint ventures based in third countries. What matters here is not where the capital originates, but how it is legally and statistically classified.
As of 2025, China and Switzerland are negotiating an upgrade to their FTA, which officials say could expand cooperation into digital trade and artificial intelligence. Given China's strategy of channelling foreign investment into specific industries, Switzerland may evolve into a "technology custody centre" in 2026. Foreign investors, such as those from Japan, may establish their Asian R&D headquarters under Swiss entities before forming joint ventures with Chinese partners, giving these investments the legal appearance of neutrality."
--- Morons, the lot of them.
China’s Growing Armada Of Spy Satellites Is Pushing Space Force To Go On The Offensive
Chinese whistleblower reveals how China spies on citizens at home – and in the US
--- China Uncensored featured the usual weekend variety again:
--- China Uncensored: "Trump Could Do the Funniest Thing Ever"
--- Hoover Institution: China: Empire of Illusion
China schmiedet Anti-USA-Allianz nach Angriffen auf den Iran
"Die Grundsätze der UN-Charta seien mit Füßen getreten worden, teilte das chinesische Außenministerium am Sonntag"
--- Mit einer derartigen Treterei hat China ja Erfahrung.
"Deswegen will China im Gegensatz zu den USA die Vereinten Nationen stärken"
War das ein Neuanfang?
"In China will er dagegen nicht "maßregeln", wie er schon vor der Reise angekündigt hat. Das heikle Thema Menschenrechte spricht er öffentlich nicht an und nach seinem Besuch bei Staats- und Parteichef Xi Jinping gibt es nur ein Statement, ohne die Möglichkeit, dass die mitgereisten deutschen Journalisten kritische Fragen stellen können.
Der zurückhaltend kritische Kurs ist erfolgreich, so ging das Gespräch mit Xi beispielsweise länger als gedacht. Ein weiterer Erfolg: Im Herbst sollen die deutsch-chinesischen Regierungskonsultationen wiederbelebt werden."
--- Wohl eher ein zurückhaltend-unkritischer Kurs.
"ob Merz mit diesem Kurs Erfolg hat, ist völlig unklar. In einer großen Runde mit Wirtschaftsvertretern nimmt der chinesische Regierungschef Li Qiang die Vorwürfe lediglich zur Kenntnis und antwortet mit Floskeln. Tenor: Man nehme die Probleme der deutschen Wirtschaft sehr ernst. Über faire Wirtschaftsbedingungen für beide Seiten spricht er aber nicht."
--- Leeres Gelaber und leere Gesten, typisch KPCh.
