China
Li Mingjian on US-China + Data protection bill passed + New US ambassador
Dear reader,
The human and foreign policy disaster in Afghanistan has once again changed our look at the United States. While everything that had happened under Donald Trump could be considered an exceptional case, we have to see events under Joe Biden as normal operations. In an interview with China.Table, renowned Singaporean political scientist Li Mingjian lays out how the U.S.-China relationship might evolve. Originally, the U.S. wanted to strengthen its credibility with its troop withdrawal, but for the moment, the opposite has happened, says Li.
The experienced political observer advises the expression of criticism of China in such a way that it actually will be heard in the country. Accusations of genocide do not fit their self-image and lead to a complete denial of everything said. However, China is also overly sensitive at the moment. "Chinese state media, however, react to every little thing and want to ensure that the rest of the world fully agrees with the Chinese position," Li complains. It obviously can't work. Official China needs a thicker skin if it wants to play internationally. Meanwhile, traditional US allies like Germany face tough decisions. China wants to set standards and is forcing its economic partners to follow suit.
China is also currently setting new standards for data protection. On Friday, the People's Congress passed the PIPL, a new law regulating the handling of personal data. Ning Wang gives you a rundown on what is known about the impacts of the law as things stand.
