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/
US strike on Venezuela to embolden China’s territorial claims, Taiwan attack unlikely, analysts say – Reuters: ‘Chinese President Xi Jinping’s considerations about Taiwan and his timeline are […], influenced more by China’s domestic situation than by U.S. actions, they said.’
US strike on Venezuela to embolden China's territorial claims, Taiwan attack unlikely, analysts say
The U.S. attack on Venezuela will embolden China to strengthen its territorial claims over areas such as Taiwan and parts of the South China Sea but will not hasten any potential invasion of Taiwan, a...
www.reuters.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:57 AM
US strike on Venezuela to embolden China’s territorial claims, Taiwan attack unlikely, analysts say – Reuters: ‘Chinese President Xi Jinping’s considerations about Taiwan and his timeline are […], influenced more by China’s domestic situation than by U.S. actions, they said.’
China’s foreign ministry calls on US to release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife at once – Xinhua: ‘adding that the U.S. move is in clear violation of international law, basic norms in international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.’
China calls on U.S. to release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife at once
english.news.cn
January 4, 2026 at 10:33 AM
China’s foreign ministry calls on US to release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife at once – Xinhua: ‘adding that the U.S. move is in clear violation of international law, basic norms in international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.’
Q&A with Oona Hathaway: The brazen illegality of Trump’s Venezuela operation – Isaac Chotiner for The New Yorker: ‘[…] the idea that a President can just decide that a leader is not legitimate and then invade the country and presumably put someone in power who is favored by the Administration.’
The Brazen Illegality of Trump’s Venezuela Operation
A scholar of international law on the implications of the U.S. arrest of President Nicolás Maduro.
www.newyorker.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:29 AM
Q&A with Oona Hathaway: The brazen illegality of Trump’s Venezuela operation – Isaac Chotiner for The New Yorker: ‘[…] the idea that a President can just decide that a leader is not legitimate and then invade the country and presumably put someone in power who is favored by the Administration.’
Chinese vice premier Ding Xuexiang calls for closer China-Pakistan community with shared future – Xinhua: ‘met with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing on Sunday’
Chinese vice premier calls for closer China-Pakistan community with shared future
english.news.cn
January 4, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Chinese vice premier Ding Xuexiang calls for closer China-Pakistan community with shared future – Xinhua: ‘met with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing on Sunday’
Inside China’s six-decade campaign to dominate rare earths – The New York Times: ‘From a distance of 15 years, it is clear that the Japan embargo was a turning point for China’s rare-earth industry. […] Beijing learned it could use that control to force geopolitical and trade partners to bend.’
Inside China’s Six-Decade Campaign to Dominate Rare Earths
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Inside China’s six-decade campaign to dominate rare earths – The New York Times: ‘From a distance of 15 years, it is clear that the Japan embargo was a turning point for China’s rare-earth industry. […] Beijing learned it could use that control to force geopolitical and trade partners to bend.’
China’s ethnic Russian town has log cabins and Cyrillic signs, but no Russians – The New York Times: ‘A member of the Communist Party, he described the steady disappearance of a separate Russian identity as the happy result of the Chinese state’s policy toward ethnic minorities.’
China’s Russian Town Has Log Cabins and Cyrillic Signs, but No Russians
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:14 AM
China’s ethnic Russian town has log cabins and Cyrillic signs, but no Russians – The New York Times: ‘A member of the Communist Party, he described the steady disappearance of a separate Russian identity as the happy result of the Chinese state’s policy toward ethnic minorities.’
South Korea’s President Lee begins China state visit after North Korea fires missiles – Reuters: ‘Lee is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during the trip for their second meeting in just two months’
South Korea's Lee begins China state visit after North fires missiles
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung began a state visit to China on Sunday, hoping to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula hours after rival North Korea launched ballistic missiles.
www.reuters.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:09 AM
South Korea’s President Lee begins China state visit after North Korea fires missiles – Reuters: ‘Lee is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during the trip for their second meeting in just two months’
Chinese authorities target online vendors in tax crackdown – FT: ‘triggered by Beijing’s desire to bolster revenues’
‘“This will kill us, everyone. We were not paying any tax before and that’s the biggest benefit of selling online,” said a Quanzhou-based Amazon exporter surnamed Huang’
‘“This will kill us, everyone. We were not paying any tax before and that’s the biggest benefit of selling online,” said a Quanzhou-based Amazon exporter surnamed Huang’
China targets online vendors in tax crackdown
Beijing seeks to bolster revenues to compensate for slowing economic growth
www.ft.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Chinese authorities target online vendors in tax crackdown – FT: ‘triggered by Beijing’s desire to bolster revenues’
‘“This will kill us, everyone. We were not paying any tax before and that’s the biggest benefit of selling online,” said a Quanzhou-based Amazon exporter surnamed Huang’
‘“This will kill us, everyone. We were not paying any tax before and that’s the biggest benefit of selling online,” said a Quanzhou-based Amazon exporter surnamed Huang’
Taiwan’s defence ministry warns over budget issue – Taipei Times: ‘If the Legislative Yuan fails to pass the defense budget, up to NT$78 billion (US$2.48 billion) — accounting for 21 percent of the budget — would not be allocated according to schedule’
MND warns over budget issue - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Taiwan’s defence ministry warns over budget issue – Taipei Times: ‘If the Legislative Yuan fails to pass the defense budget, up to NT$78 billion (US$2.48 billion) — accounting for 21 percent of the budget — would not be allocated according to schedule’
Chinese hacker groups launched 2.63 million daily cyberattacks against Taiwan’s critical infrastructure in 2025, NSB says – Focus Taiwan
China launched 2.63 million daily cyberattacks against Taiwan in 2025: NSB - Focus Taiwan
China's cyber army launched 2.63 million intrusion attempts against Taiwan's critical infrastructure (CI) every day in 2025, representing a six percent increase from 2024, according to Taiwan's Nation...
focustaiwan.tw
January 4, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Chinese hacker groups launched 2.63 million daily cyberattacks against Taiwan’s critical infrastructure in 2025, NSB says – Focus Taiwan
Reposted by Sense Hofstede
I share the frustration but it the EU was simply not built for geopolitics of that kind. Also, we are SO dependent on US military protection and tech that, at least for now, our options are really very very limited. We should decry that dependency rather than the pathetic behavior it engenders.
The most worrying thing for me right now is watching EU leaders react to events not only as passive spectators, but as passive spectators who apparently have every intention of remaining so. Stolidly determined to do nothing about facts on the ground except watch more of them being made.
January 3, 2026 at 4:52 PM
I share the frustration but it the EU was simply not built for geopolitics of that kind. Also, we are SO dependent on US military protection and tech that, at least for now, our options are really very very limited. We should decry that dependency rather than the pathetic behavior it engenders.
Reposted by Sense Hofstede
Ryan Hass wrote an excellent thread on Twitter that I appreciate,
calling for us not to overstate what had happened today in terms of what it means for Taiwan. I agree with him as I posted above that today won’t likely change Xi’s calculus in the short term. His whole thread is worth reading.
calling for us not to overstate what had happened today in terms of what it means for Taiwan. I agree with him as I posted above that today won’t likely change Xi’s calculus in the short term. His whole thread is worth reading.
January 3, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Ryan Hass wrote an excellent thread on Twitter that I appreciate,
calling for us not to overstate what had happened today in terms of what it means for Taiwan. I agree with him as I posted above that today won’t likely change Xi’s calculus in the short term. His whole thread is worth reading.
calling for us not to overstate what had happened today in terms of what it means for Taiwan. I agree with him as I posted above that today won’t likely change Xi’s calculus in the short term. His whole thread is worth reading.
Understanding Xi’s vision of China and the world through New Year message – Xinhua
Understanding Xi's vision of China and the world through New Year message
english.news.cn
January 3, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Understanding Xi’s vision of China and the world through New Year message – Xinhua
Reposted by Sense Hofstede
Agree. I think Taiwan, and all other non-superpowers, rely on “the international order” for stability. But after Russia, Israel, the US, one cannot feel but that the international order is seriously destroyed.
I'm very scared about what this means for Taiwan.
January 3, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Agree. I think Taiwan, and all other non-superpowers, rely on “the international order” for stability. But after Russia, Israel, the US, one cannot feel but that the international order is seriously destroyed.
Taoiseach of Ireland to visit China – Xinhua: ‘from Jan. 4 to 8’
Taoiseach of Ireland to visit China
english.news.cn
January 3, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Taoiseach of Ireland to visit China – Xinhua: ‘from Jan. 4 to 8’
Chinese public warms to US while strongly backing Beijing’s trade stance, Tsinghua survey says – SCMP: ‘favourability towards the US still ranked lower than that for other countries and blocs, including Britain, the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and South Korea.’
Chinese public warms to US while strongly backing Beijing’s trade stance: survey
‘Substantial’ uptick in favourability towards America compared with previous year, but still lower than scores for Britain, the EU and Asean.
www.scmp.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:51 AM
Chinese public warms to US while strongly backing Beijing’s trade stance, Tsinghua survey says – SCMP: ‘favourability towards the US still ranked lower than that for other countries and blocs, including Britain, the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and South Korea.’
China doubles down on anti-corruption fight as crackdown snares 65 ‘tigers’ in 2025 – SCMP: ‘In the editorial, People’s Daily said the party would maintain “high-pressure anti-corruption momentum”, and the standards would only grow stricter over time.’
China steps up anti-corruption fight as crackdown snares 65 ‘tigers’ in 2025
Communist Party mouthpiece calls for tighter discipline in coming years, echoing Xi Jinping’s New Year’s address.
www.scmp.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:50 AM
China doubles down on anti-corruption fight as crackdown snares 65 ‘tigers’ in 2025 – SCMP: ‘In the editorial, People’s Daily said the party would maintain “high-pressure anti-corruption momentum”, and the standards would only grow stricter over time.’
Trump orders Chinese-linked firm HieFo to divest US chip assets, cites national security – SCMP: ‘Emcore Corporation’s digital chips and related wafer design, fabrication and processing businesses’
Trump orders Chinese-linked firm HieFo to divest US chip assets
Chinese-linked company ordered to unwind its acquisition of US semiconductor assets, citing national security concerns.
www.scmp.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Trump orders Chinese-linked firm HieFo to divest US chip assets, cites national security – SCMP: ‘Emcore Corporation’s digital chips and related wafer design, fabrication and processing businesses’
China to lead joint naval drills with Brics nations in South African waters – SCMP: ‘Media reports have named Russia and Iran as participants, with Indonesia and Ethiopia also likely to take part.’
China to lead joint naval drills with Brics nations in South African waters
It is the first defence cooperation under the Brics framework, with the Russian and Iranian navies reportedly taking part.
www.scmp.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:47 AM
China to lead joint naval drills with Brics nations in South African waters – SCMP: ‘Media reports have named Russia and Iran as participants, with Indonesia and Ethiopia also likely to take part.’
Opposition-controlled Legislature passes motion censuring Premier Cho over ‘four failures’ – Focus Taiwan: ‘and demanded National Security Council head Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) resign over his former long-time aide found guilty of spying for China’
Opposition-controlled Legislature passes motion censuring Premier Cho - Focus Taiwan
The opposition-controlled Legislature on Friday passed a censure motion against Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), citing "four primarily failures," and demanded National Security Council head Joseph Wu (吳釗燮...
focustaiwan.tw
January 3, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Opposition-controlled Legislature passes motion censuring Premier Cho over ‘four failures’ – Focus Taiwan: ‘and demanded National Security Council head Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) resign over his former long-time aide found guilty of spying for China’
Taiwanese authorities denounces Chinese threats against DPP lawmaker Puma Shen – Focus Taiwan: ‘after a Weibo post sharing satellite images of [his] home and workplace was circulated by Chinese media platforms.’
‘threatened to have Shen arrested for “secession” and solicited tips from the public.’
‘threatened to have Shen arrested for “secession” and solicited tips from the public.’
Taiwan denounces threats against DPP lawmaker - Focus Taiwan
Taiwanese authorities on Saturday condemned actions they said were intended to intimidate Taiwan's democratic society, after a Weibo post sharing satellite images of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)...
focustaiwan.tw
January 3, 2026 at 11:31 AM
Taiwanese authorities denounces Chinese threats against DPP lawmaker Puma Shen – Focus Taiwan: ‘after a Weibo post sharing satellite images of [his] home and workplace was circulated by Chinese media platforms.’
‘threatened to have Shen arrested for “secession” and solicited tips from the public.’
‘threatened to have Shen arrested for “secession” and solicited tips from the public.’
China’s top contract chipmakers pursue acquisitions amid Beijing’s self-sufficiency drive – SCMP: ‘a fresh round of consolidation in the country’s semiconductor industry, as Beijing’s tech self-sufficiency drive gathered pace’
China’s top contract chipmakers pursue acquisitions amid self-sufficiency drive
Hua Hong Semiconductor set to close a US$1.2 billion deal, days after SMIC says it will take full control of a subsidiary for US$5.8 billion.
www.scmp.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:07 PM
China’s top contract chipmakers pursue acquisitions amid Beijing’s self-sufficiency drive – SCMP: ‘a fresh round of consolidation in the country’s semiconductor industry, as Beijing’s tech self-sufficiency drive gathered pace’
China threatened to cancel key trade talks after UK trade minister’s Taiwan visit in June – The Guardian: ‘ultimately did go ahead after diplomats privately scrambled to contain the diplomatic fallout with Beijing.’
China threatened to cancel key trade talks after UK minister’s Taiwan visit in June
Exclusive: diplomats had to scramble to contain fallout with Beijing after Douglas Alexander’s trip to Taipei
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:06 PM
China threatened to cancel key trade talks after UK trade minister’s Taiwan visit in June – The Guardian: ‘ultimately did go ahead after diplomats privately scrambled to contain the diplomatic fallout with Beijing.’
Why China is doubling down on its export-led growth model – FT: ‘“This is a zero-sum game,” says Joerg Wuttke, […] former European Union Chamber of Commerce in China president. […] “They’re telling other countries, don’t mess with us, don’t compete with us, you can’t beat us,” he says.’
Why China is doubling down on its export-led growth model
The country plans to reinforce its dominance of global manufacturing, despite persistent deflation at home and rising tensions abroad
www.ft.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Why China is doubling down on its export-led growth model – FT: ‘“This is a zero-sum game,” says Joerg Wuttke, […] former European Union Chamber of Commerce in China president. […] “They’re telling other countries, don’t mess with us, don’t compete with us, you can’t beat us,” he says.’
The EU’s carbon border levy is ‘unfair’ and ‘discriminatory’, China’s commerce ministry said in a statement on Thursday – Bloomberg: ‘vowing to take countermeasures to defend the country’s interests.’
China Calls EU Carbon Border Tax Unfair, Warns of Counter-Moves
The European Union’s carbon border levy is “unfair” and “discriminatory,” China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Thursday, vowing to take countermeasures to defend the country’s interests...
www.bloomberg.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:14 AM
The EU’s carbon border levy is ‘unfair’ and ‘discriminatory’, China’s commerce ministry said in a statement on Thursday – Bloomberg: ‘vowing to take countermeasures to defend the country’s interests.’