(Preview) US-China in Vienna and Munich; Hacking and Espionage Allegations; PRC Lobbying in DC; Rep. Gallagher to Depart Congress

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Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with recent meetings between US officials and PRC counterparts in Munich and Vienna, including complaints from both Director of the CCP Central Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong that the U.S. has harassed PRC students trying to enter the U.S., as well as a note about China's designation as a "major drug source country." From there: The MSS takes to WeChat to criticize the CIA, while the FBI Director warns the Munich Security Forum that Chinese malware capabilities have reached an unprecedented scale. From there: A Financial Times op-ed argues that America has done a poor job countering PRC information warfare, and Congressional staffers debate a blacklist policy for lobbying firms doing business with select PRC entities. At the end: Congressman Mike Gallagher announces he won't seek reelection, while Lionel Messi explains himself (again).

To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm

Holiday data OK; Emancipating minds; Kinmen; Party History; Wang Yi in Europe — Sinocism

China protests treatment of its students at Dulles and other U.S. entry points — NBC News

Memorandum on Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2024 — The White House

Spycraft and Statecraft — Foreign Affairs

National security authority accuses CIA of ‘bringing suit against its victims’ in bilingual article, showing anti-spy moves justified, legitimate — Global Times

FBI Director Says China Cyberattacks on U.S. Infrastructure Now at Unprecedented Scale — Wall Street Journal

The US needs a better strategic narrative or it will cede influence to China — Financial Times

Lawmakers weigh blacklist for firms lobbying for Chinese military-linked companies — Politico

TikTok hires Biden-connected firm as it finds itself under D.C.’s microscope — Politico

GOP Rising Star and China Watchdog Mike Gallagher to Quit Congress — Wall Street Journal

After fallout in China, Messi insists politics had nothing to do with missing game in Hong Kong — AP News

Lionel Messi's official statement about missing the game in Hong Kong — YouTube

John Cena apologises to China for calling Taiwan a country (english subtitles) — YouTube

China, U.S. agree to implement consensus of San Francisco summit — English.gov.CN