(Preview) The Plenum Puzzles Outsiders; Xi Stays the Course; 'Deepening Reforms' to Western Journalism in China; Remembering the 2008 Olympics

Sharp China with Bill Bishop

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Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism

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On today’s show Andrew and Bill begin with the Third Plenum resolution, Xi’s explainer, and its reception among the investment community and China observers. Topics include: Why Xi staying the course should surprise no one, the significance of the five-year timeline set forth for reforms, specific domestic problems alongside broad rhetoric about goals and productive forces, and the external environment that serves as context for the party's priorities. From there: The party’s timeline for planning the plenum highlights the lack of leaks in the Xi era, and a reminder that trade tensions are unlikely to abate anytime soon. At the end: A variety of thoughts on news organizations and journalists navigating the environment in China and Hong Kong, and a few memories of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing before the Opening Ceremony in Paris this weekend.

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@SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube

@Stratechery Channel — YouTube

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"Beijing Declaration" for Palestine; Plenum does not impress investors; Cleaning up financial sector; Biden rumors — Sinocism

Third Plenum Resolution and Xi's Explainer; MSS video; PRC-Philippines deal over Second Thoams Shoal resupply? — Sinocism

The lightness of Beijing’s third plenary — Finanical Times

Third Plenum Hot Takes: Skepticism and Concern — CSIS

News organizations undermine journalist groups, caving to Chinese pressure — Semafor

I pushed for press freedom in Hong Kong. The Wall Street Journal fired me. — Columbia Journalism Review

Code of Silence — Lingua Sinica

Bloomberg News Is Said to Curb Articles That Might Anger China — New York Times (2013)

Xi Jinping Millionaire Relations Reveal Elite Chinese Fortunes — Bloomberg (2012)

China’s Leaders Try to Impress and Reassure World — New York Times (2008)

Beijing Games to be costliest, but no debt legacy — Reuters (2008)

Bob Costas shares personal story on Beijing's playbook of repressing criticism — CNN

Full Opening Ceremony from Beijing 2008 — Olympics YouTube