China Communications Intelligence | Weekly:
1. China's new ambassador to the United States arrives
2. Cold War tactic to better understand China's intentions seeks funding
3. China's techlash gains steam - Global capitalists are spooked
4. US multinational sponsors of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics grilled on Capitol Hill
5. VP Harris planning to visit Vietnam + Singapore
China's new ambassador to the United States arrives
Qin Gang, China's new ambassador to the United States, arrived in Washington on Wednesday.
Known for his bold tone as a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, he delivered sizzling one-liners. He pioneered a more brash communication style during pressers from the Chinese foreign ministry's stage.
But as ambassador, will he pivot to a more diplomatic tone in DC?
Unlikely.
As Chris Buckley of the New York Times reports, Qin has a record of vigorously contesting Western criticism. His appointment suggests that Beijing is steeling for extended tensions with Washington.
Qin rose from working for a foreign news agency to becoming a trusted aide to Xi Jinping.
Qin will most likely convey to Washington that Xi expects China to be treated as a great power, reflecting confidence that stems in part from China's success in controlling the coronavirus epidemic and a growing economy.
Unlike nearly all of China's ambassadors to Washington since the 1980s, Qin - who will be the 13th person to hold this post - has never specialized in dealing with the United States, nor has he been posted here previously.
"For the last 20 years, you've had a string of America experts posted to Washington. Somebody whose career has been staked more on upholding the dignity and equal treatment of Chinese senior leaders will come to the job potentially with a different mindset." -- Drew Thompson, professor at the National University of Singapore.
You can see his Ministry of Foreign Affairs profile - here.
Cold War tactic to better understand China's intentions seeks funding
A bipartisan bill was introduced that aims to improve the understanding of China and potentially other strategic rivals of the United States.
The House bill introduced by Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and Bill Keating (D-MA) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) would provide for the establishment of a federally funded Open Translation and Analysis Center (OTAC) focused on China.
The legislation follows the Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS), which provided translation and analysis of the Soviet bloc and other foreign government media during the Cold War.
Referring to the acronyms of the People's Republic of China and its ruling Communist Party and armed forces, the OTAC would "systematically translate PRC/CCP/PLA speeches, documents, reports, strategies, news articles, commentaries, journal articles, procurement contracts into English and publish them freely online."
China's techlash gains steam - Global capitalists are spooked
First, it was fintech.
Then Alibaba and Tencent were targeted by Chinese trustbusters.
This month regulators banned Didi Global's ride-hailing app over data transgressions.
And now, ed-tech companies were told they could no longer profit or use offshore vehicles to trade their shares abroad.
These actions reflect the Chinese government's "overriding concern" that it has less control over its internet - a sector that has been underregulated for years.
Who will be next?
Look for video gaming, internet-connected cars, and online health care.
Presently only Chinese-based companies have been the targets of such heavy-handed regulation. Still, as always, Western multinational companies are wise to modify behavior to meet local Chinese law and cultural direction.
These types of actions are capitalism with Chinese characters.
US multinational sponsors of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics grilled on Capitol Hill
Executives from Coca-Cola, Airbnb, Intel, Procter & Gamble, and Visa appeared and answered questioned by members of the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China regarding their company's sponsorship of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Members of the committee repeatedly expressed frustration at what they see as a multinational corporate willingness to turn a blind eye to what some have termed "genocide" involving Uygurs in Xinjiang.
"Every single one of you refused to say a single word by all appearances that will cost you one bit of market share inside of mainland China," said Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas.
"This is the most pathetic, disgraceful hearing in which I've participated in eight years. Obviously, every one of you … were sent here with orders not to say anything that could offend the Chinese Communist Party."
This aggressive messaging on Capitol Hill comes as human rights concerns and calls to boycott the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics grow in the United States and across Europe as well.
Regardless of an official boycott takes place, endless questions about China's worthiness to host the 2022 Winter Olympics will be present for the next six months.
VP Harris planning to visit Vietnam + Singapore
Vice President Kamala Harris is planning to visit Vietnam and Singapore later this summer.
Once again, Team Biden showing the importance of allies and the Indo-Pacific.
Details of the trip are not final yet.
China Communications Intelligence is China political trend-spotting and actionable insights to help you succeed in today’s hyper-political China commercial environment.
