Clear signals in Tianjin + Dispute over Mekong + Hong Kong's Olympic hero • China.Table

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Mekong’s waters, a disputed commodity
First guilty verdict in Hong Kong under new security law
Tencent closes new registrations on WeChat
No investment in coal projects along the New Silk Road
Researchers discover nuclear missile silos
Online outrage over Zhengzhou memorial barrier
Profile: foil fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long

Dear reader,

The recent quarrel between the US and Chinese foreign ministers in Alaska back in March is still fresh on everyone’s mind. The meeting between diplomats from Beijing and Washington in Tianjin was supposed to have more gentle tones. However, things did not quite go as hoped: The People’s Republic used the talks for a series of verbal attacks, ranging from long lists of demands to accusations – our author Michael Radunski summarized the heated discussion in the eastern Chinese port city and illustrates Beijing’s main goal.

But the west of the People’s Republic also holds potential for conflict with the US. Here, the Mekong River is flowing through the region. Here, Beijing is damming the upper reaches of the river, threatening the livelihoods of millions of people in Southeast Asia. The US fears that the riparian states are becoming more and more dependent on the People’s Republic, and is increasingly intervening in the conflict. In his report, Frank Sieren shows how Southeast Asian countries are at risk of getting caught in the crossfire between the two superpowers.

In today’s Profile, we turn our attention to a small sensation in Tokyo: For the first time in 25 years, an athlete from Hong Kong managed to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games. Throughout the metropolis, thousands gathered in front of large public TV screens and witnessed the victory of foil fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long. Through his victory, Hong Kong finally experienced a new moment of unity, pride, and joy. But how the political leadership will spin this win to its own advantage, remains to be seen.

We hope you enjoy our latest issue!

Your
Amelie Richter

Feature

Clear signals in Tianjin: “China has had enough”

The visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman to Tianjin was supposed to prevent any misunderstandings with China. But instead, the People’s Republic is using the meeting for a verbal frontal attack. But Beijing is pursuing a larger goal.

The goal of America’s Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman’s visit to China, which lasted from Sunday to Monday, was to prevent misunderstandings. And after two meetings with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his deputy Xie Feng, there is certainly no lack of clarity left.

Xie expressed clearly how China currently assesses relations with the US: The US would attempt to demonize China. “The People’s Republic is being turned into an ‘imagined enemy’ in order to hide problems and differences in the US“, Xie said. This is the reason why relations between Washington and Beijing are at an impasse. America’s policy of demonization and smear campaign against the People’s Republic must end immediately. “We urge the United States to change its highly misguided mindset and dangerous policy,” China’s deputy foreign minister stressed.

China’s claims

Xie then presented the American visitor with two lists of Chinese demands: The US must lift all sanctions against Chinese officials, withdraw the extradition request against Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who is being held in Canada, allow Confucius Institutes as well as Chinese state media to operate freely in America, and lift visa restrictions against Communist Party members and Chinese students.

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