(Preview) The Taiwan Election; Markets and GDP Go Opposite Directions; China and the Houthis; Cannabis and Soccer Corruption

Sharp China with Bill Bishop

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Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism

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On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with last weekend’s election in Taiwan, where William Lai and the DPP retained their hold on the presidency but lost a majority in legislature. Topics include: The reactions from China and around the world, continued questions about a timeline for reunification, Hong Kong as a cautionary tale for the Taiwanese, Nauru and the United Nations, and sparring between the Foreign Ministry and the Philippines. From there: Li Qiang delivers good news to Davos, investors in China and Hong Kong remain wary, and one year after China announced to the world it was open for business, several factors have left confidence among the foreign investment community at an all-time low. At the end: The world waits for to China to take action in the Red Sea, a question about cannabis crackdowns in Hong Kong, and a documentary heralds a new crackdown on soccer corruption.

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Taiwan election; Wang Yi on the Red Sea; Li does Davos; Baidu buying opportunity? — Sinocism

Xi on financial development; Premier Li's Davos speech; MSS on Taiwan; Spring Festival travel — Sinocism

Election result can't change fact that Taiwan is part of China, says Chinese FM — CCTV

Secretary Antony J. Blinken With Andrew Sorkin of CNBC — U.S. Department of Statee

Hong Kong a cautionary tale as China looms over Taiwan's election — NBC News

Taiwan loses diplomatic recognition of Nauru in wake of election — Financial Times

The Distortion of UN Resolution 2758 and Limits on Taiwan’s Access to the United Nations — German Marshall Fund

China warns Philippines not to ‘play with fire’ over president’s Taiwan remarks — Reuters

Philippines defence minister calls out China official for “gutter-level talk” — Reuters

A big Chinese delegation unnerves U.S. diplomats in Davos — Politico

China Stock Rout Deepens as Data Stoke Recovery Concerns — Bloomberg

Did China’s Economy Really Grow 5.2% in 2023? Not All Agree — Bloomberg

Beijing tells some investors not to sell as Chinese stock rout resumes — Financial Times

Charts This Week #1 & Publishing Update — Real China Chahrts

US escalates Red Sea tensions, while China voices fairness — Global Times

Why maritime ships are signaling their Chinese identity in the Red Sea — Semafor

How Chinese Marijuana Operations Cropped Up in Small-Town America — Wall Street Journal

Why Does China Remain Terrible at Soccer? Xi Jinping Has One Answer — Wall Street Journal