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The CCP Connection to Lord Wei of Shoreditch of the U.K.

Lord Wei of Shoreditch, Nathanael Ming-Yan Wei is a member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom. A son of a Hong Kong immigrant, he was born and grew up in the U.K.

Foreigninterference.org reported that Lord Wei had continuous contact with the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) United Front Work Department and its controlled entities between 2011 and 2016. For example, Li Xuelin (Lady Xuelin Bates), Chairwoman of the Zhejiang UK Association, had a good connection with Lord Wei and served as his advisor on China issues. Li married British Minister of State for International Development Lord Michael Bates. Li had served the Vice President of the Promotion of China Re-Unification Society in the U.K., which is under the CCP’s United Front Work Department. Li led Lord Wei to attend many activities at the Chinese Embassy or organized by the CCP’s United Front Work. Li also arranged his trip to China and meetings with Chinese officials during the visit.

Due to the controversy, Lord Wei resigned from the Chairman post of the Welcoming Committee for Hong Kongers.

Source: Epoch Times, August 10, 2022
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/22/8/10/n13799344.htm

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

China Published a New White Paper on Taiwan

On August 10, Beijing published its latest White Paper on Taiwan. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and the State Council Information Office published the document titled, “The Taiwan Question and China’s Reunification in the New Era.”

The paper announced that, “Taiwan has never been a state; its status as part of China is unalterable.”

“The realization of complete national reunification is driven by the history and culture of the Chinese nation and determined by the momentum towards and circumstances surrounding our national rejuvenation. Never before have we been so close to, confident in, and capable of achieving the goal of national rejuvenation. The same is true when it comes to our goal of complete national reunification.”

It criticized Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party authorities for creating tension and external forces for “hav(ing) encouraged and instigated provocative actions by the separatist forces.”

“(W)e will not renounce the use of force,” the document stated, “and we reserve the option of taking all necessary measures. This is to guard against external interference and all separatist activities… The use of force would be the last resort taken under compelling circumstances.”

China published the Taiwan White Paper in both 1993 and 2000. Both earlier versions mentioned that, “(Beijing) will not dispatch soldiers or administrative staff to Taiwan” after the “re-unification.” The 2000 White Paper also stated, “As long as Taiwan recognizes there is only one China and does not seek independence, everything is negotiable.” These sentences were not seen in the new White Paper.

The Taiwan government disputed Beijing’s claim. The Taiwan Mainland Affairs Council said this White Paper was, “full of wishful-thinking, lies and reckless disregard of the truth.” “Only the 23 million people of Taiwan have the right to decide the future of Taiwan, and they will never accept the results set by an authoritarian regime.”

Sources:
1. China’s State Council Website, August 10, 2022
https://english.www.gov.cn/archive/whitepaper/202208/10/content_WS62f34f46c6d02e533532f0ac.html
2. Al Jazeera, August 10, 2022
https://chinese.aljazeera.net/news/political/2022/8/10/中国重申武统台湾立场

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

German Newspaper: Reduce Dependence on China

an analysis by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, a German newspaper, said, “Japan and the United States are becoming more closely linked than ever before.” “By October at the latest, Germany could also receive a diplomatic blow from Beijing, as the Committee on Human Rights of Bundestag (the German federal parliament) is planning a trip to several Asian countries. The crisis is also a good opportunity to reflect on Germany and Europe’s future relations with China. Instead of closing any existing channels of dialogue, Europe should persevere in defending its interests. However, we must also be clear that we can no longer rely on China in all cases. We should refocus and reduce too much dependence. There is still time to avoid making the same mistakes in relations with China as in relations with Russia.”

Source: Radio France International, August 7, 2022
https://rfi.my/8dqn

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Tycoon Donates $100 million for Taiwan’s Defense

After the departure of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Chinese government started live-fire military exercises against Taiwan. Robert Tsao, founder and honorary chairman of United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC), a major Taiwanese semiconductor company, announced on August 5 that he will donate $100 million to assist Taiwan in its national defense.

On the second day after the Chinese military fired off 11 missiles, Tsao held a press conference to criticize the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for its reckless behavior. “Today I am announcing a donation of NT$3 billion (about US$100 million) to help strengthen our national defense. I hope to awaken the people of Taiwan not to  be greedy for money or afraid of death, and to rise up and fight to defend freedom, democracy and human rights.”

“Some people in Taiwan have an ostrich mentality, thinking that if they bury their heads in the sand and don’t mess with them, the other side won’t make a move. Others are capitulationists, who think, “Since I can’t win anyway, I might as well surrender and survive.” Tsao added, “The worst are those in favor of reunification, thinking they can realize the xenophobic so-called China dream,”

As for those people in Taiwan who are still unwilling to “resist China and defend Taiwan,” Robert Tsao said that these people, perhaps because of ignorance, timidity, cowardice, or being bought, are unwilling to see or admit that the Chinese Communist Party is essentially a group of gangsters. “The People’s Republic of China is a triad organization masquerading as a national state. A normal civilized country promotes the rule of law, democracy, and freedom, but a fakery state like the Chinese regime worships totalitarianism, deception, hatred, and violence.”

UMC established an 8-inch wafer fab in Suzhou, China, through its subsidiary back in 2001. Tsao lamented, “If we could have done it all over again, I wish we hadn’t gone to China to help set up the fab.”

Tsao proposed that the $100 million be used to fund individuals and groups to promote national defense education and boost public morale. The money will fund research and publications to counter the CCP’s cognitive warfare against Taiwan, handle activities related to the CCP’s deterrence and infiltration of Taiwan, develop or trace sources, counter the dissemination of controversial messages by hostile forces outside Taiwan; and develop countermeasures against the CCP’s cyberattack and hacking activities against Taiwan.

Source: Radio Free Asia, August 5, 2022
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/hcm2-08052022052903.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

CNA: Taiwan Society Remained Calm Despite the CCP’s Military Threats

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported that, Beijing announced military exercises around Taiwan from August 4 to 7 in response to the House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit from the U.S. Foreign media stationed in Taiwan observed that the Taiwanese society was calm as usual and could not feel the tense atmosphere. On the afternoon of the 4th of August, the Chinese Communist Party launched 11 Dongfeng series ballistic missiles in fractional waves towards the waters surrounding the northern, southern and eastern parts of Taiwan. The Japanese Defense Ministry presumed that four of the missiles flew over Taiwan based on five of the missiles falling into the waters of Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense pointed out that it was necessary to  grasp the launch dynamics immediately, activate relevant defense systems and strengthen combat readiness. A report from the Associated Press from Keelung pointed out that, despite the large-scale military exercises by the Communist army, the atmosphere in Taiwan society remained calm. A BBC reporter said that most of the people he interviewed did not believe that the Communist army was going to attack Taiwan this time. Another fisherman said, “They are just a group of bandits. These Communists only talk big and can’t do anything. We have been listening to their threats for 70 years.”

Source: CNA, August 5, 2022
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202208050124.aspx

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

UDN: Biden to Host Pacific Islands Leaders’ Summit at the White House

United Daily News (UDN), one of the primary Taiwanese news groups, recently reported that U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said that President Biden will host a summit of Pacific Islands leaders at the White House in September. Facing China’s growing influence, the U.S. looks to strengthen regional ties. The United States is making frequent diplomatic tours in the Pacific, seeking allies to confront an increasingly assertive China. Washington previously also announced plans to open new embassies in the Pacific. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Fiji in February this year, and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris recently delivered a landmark video speech to the Pacific Islands Forum. Sherman visited the Solomon Islands for a series of commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. After China signed a secret security agreement with the Solomon Islands in April this year, Western allies were alerted. The deal, which would allow China to establish military strongholds in the South Pacific, was the focus the U.S.’ concerns.

Source: UDN, August 6, 2022
https://udn.com/news/story/6813/6518106

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

China Times: UK to Build the Second Largest Rare Earth Refinery Outside China

Major Taiwanese news network China Times recently reported that, the British government stressed the importance of securing the supply chain for rare earth minerals, and is committed to diversifying the supply chain moving it away from market dominators like China. The UK unveiled a new key minerals strategy, and will begin construction of a rare earths refining facility in northern England. Rare-earth elements are used to make magnets to start electric car engines, power windows, and to operate offshore wind turbines and other high-tech devices. China currently accounts for 98 percent of the global supply. Europe and the U.S. have stepped up their efforts to reduce their reliance on China and create safe and independent supply chains for these critical minerals, so as to avoid a repeat of the supply chain crisis. The UK says the Pensana facility will be the second-largest refinery of magnet feedstock outside of China and is expected to begin operations by the end of 2023. The £145 million (approximately US$175 million) facility in Saltend, East Yorkshire, is supported by the government’s Automotive Transformation Fund and is expected to create 126 jobs. With the new strategy, Britain said it would further develop and build the skills base of its local workforce, while supporting domestic production and working with like-minded allies to diversify supply chains.

Source: China Times, July 22, 2022
https://wantrich.chinatimes.com/news/20220722900529-420201

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Kenya Presidential Candidates Criticize Chinese Communist Party

The Kenya Presidential election will be held on August 9. The two leading candidates took positions to oppose Beijing’s expansion in Africa. China has invested in some major infrastructure projects in Kenya, including the high-speed rail, a highway, and others. The current Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta) adopted a pro-China policy, which trapped Kenya into owing China several billion dollars.

Source: VOA, July 29, 2022
https://www.voachinese.com/a/china-spotlighted-in-kenya-s-presidential-race-20220728/6678588.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend