Irish Tánaiste and ex-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar posing for a rare photo opp among senior Western European politicians these days: a handshake with Huawei

Huawei's first European cloud centre will be in Dublin.

siliconrepublic.com/jobs-news/huaw…

UK foreign secretary summons China’s deputy ambassador after consulate protester beaten
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The title of Xi’s report (Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects) & Xi’s constant references to history should guide us to look back to Marxism-Leninism w Xi’s characteristics.

“Wang Yang is seen by overseas observers as an ideal replacement for Li Keqiang” - and how much was Li able to influence the real course of the economic policies? Answer that before expecting too much from Wang - if he first is nominated by Xi. scmp.com/news/china/pol…

“Germany's intelligence service chiefs warned on Monday that China could use stakes in critical infrastructure as leverage to pursue political aims amid a debate in Berlin over whether to let Chinese shipping company Cosco invest in Hamburg port.” reuters.com/world/german-s…

“The EU paper said Beijing was systematically promoting an 'alternative vision of the world order,' where economic and social development takes prominence over political and civil rights.” reuters.com/world/eu-shoul…

In other words, according to John Lee, it appears being perfectly normal for foreign consulate personnel to come out to the streets to beat protestors, then kidnap one and drag him into the consulate grounds? reuters.com/world/uk-shoul…

“Xi's decade..has seen the no of women in politics and elite gov roles decline and gender gaps in the workforce widen.Feminist voices hv also been muzzled and the gov has incr emphasised the value of traditional roles for women as mothers and carers.” reuters.com/world/china/ch…

“..the entities that have benefited most from the past several decades of globalisation have been multinational companies and the Chinese state — or more particularly, the people running them.” on.ft.com/3MDUobI

Would be refreshing if - for once - the EU would come up proactively a better offer, new, fresh initiatives, instead of simply reactively responding with “Global Gateways” - meh.

Reminder to the EU of how the world is seen beyond its boarders.

According to Russian sources, Musk did talk with Putin, and now Tesla is awarded a tax break 3 days after Musk's Taiwan advice. Musk clearly has chosen his friends. taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4685519

Wow

“I have a Q for you, because you underline the principle of sovereignty and the importance of the internationally recognised borders in the world,” Bauer said..”So why is it possible then that China still is not condemning Russia’s attack in Ukraine?” scmp.com/news/china/dip…

Since 2002, each Chinese leader has used the party congress report to say China is in a “period of strategic opportunity” 战略机遇期 — meaning no looming prospect of serious conflict, so China can focus on development and building influence. Xi used phrase in 2017. Not this time.

Looking forward European leaders to treating Xi’s next term as a new normal, congratulating Xi on breaking all checks and balances, and crowning himself de facto dictator.

Interesting remark from Xi’s speech was a promise to make decisions to increase the birth rate.

What is so far clear from the #20thPartyCongress is Xi’s absolute intolerance of criticism to his policies and his hardline even tightening. Taiwan’s “reunification” will be forced during his tenure.