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tbCh

@blackchinahand.bsky.social
36 followers 89 following 54 posts

Random, snarky, and satirical gibberish from a traveler on the road in China. Find me also Substack at blackchinahand.com

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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Quote of the article for this me was, “But one thing to remember from both the old and new Great Games is that outside nations can swing the battle” or put another way “出门靠朋友” www.ft.com/content/8869...
ft.com
China, America and the new Great Game
Which power will prevail? As in the 19th-century struggle between the UK and Russia, the answer may depend on forces beyond either’s control
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
I love how President Xi and Madam Peng arrived to the U.S. on a Star Alliance flight. I mean even a nation’s leader needs those frequent flyer perks, right?
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Who knew Xi had a flavor of fashion.
theblackchinahand.substack.com
The Return of the Mack
The once “Revolutionary Suit” is back up in the game.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Waaaaaaaait! Whaaaaat!?! Trump is willing to sell arms to both Taiwan and China. That can’t be right, right? apnews.com/article/trum...
apnews.com
Trump asked China's president if he wants to buy US arms, ambassador says
The U.S. ambassador to China says President Donald Trump asked Chinese President Xi Jinping if he wanted to buy weapons from the United States.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Whoa!?! This is really interesting. On the one hand, it shows China’s Sci-Tech prowess. On the other hand, it also seems like a serious a lack of operational security (or maybe not). Link to the article in the comments. www.scmp.com/news/china/s...
scmp.com
Claims China’s BeiDou satellite was refuelled in orbit could change space race
Research papers suggest the historic operation occurred in February last year, a manoeuvre that could have military implications.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
What are the chances Xi gifted trump mooncakes (月饼) on this visit?
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Interesting read for the legal nerdy type. «The Supreme People's Court issued "Opinions on Adjudicating Disputes Involving Artificial Intelligence in Accordance with the Law» www.court.gov.cn/zixun/xiangq...
court.gov.cn
最高法发布《关于依法审理涉人工智能纠纷案件的意见》 - 中华人民共和国最高人民法院
最高人民法院政务网站,最高人民法院网,最高人民法院,最高人民法院网是人民群众了解和联系最高人民法院的重要窗口,承载着司法公开、法治宣传、服务群众、接受监督等重要使命。是最高人民法院的政务网站,是最高人民法院在互联网上唯一的正式身份。
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
USCC coming out throwing hands and feet at China with this report. www.uscc.gov/research/ena...
uscc.gov
Enabling Iran: A Timeline of China's Role During and After Operation Epic Fury
The timeline documents how Beijing has continued to enable Iran through its economic, diplomatic, and other activities.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Oh my damn! SecDef Teodoro came with the quickness! x.com/dndphl/statu...
x.com
Department of National Defense - Philippines (@dndphl) on X
MAHIYA NAMAN KAYO | Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. responded to a note from the Chinese side during the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) 2026 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. #DNDPHL ...
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I just figured out that “Chinamaxxing” is basically what author Bill Holm previously describes as “coming home crazy.”
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Dalian, once a backwater outpost of imperial China, was transformed by Russia in 1898, then upgraded by Japan from 1905-1945, before being reclaimed by China via the Soviets in the 1950s-all while being fueled by migrants from Shandong seeking a better life. The very model of a modern Chinese city.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
This summer of 2026, had to the the hottest I’ve ever experienced … downright Wuhan level temps in a coastal city known as a place where folks come to escape the summer heat. I guess Mr. ClimateChange had something to say about that. #sweat
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
我了个去! Li Ning is dropping dimes … to the nearly half a billion dollars mark. www.instagram.com/reel/DZDyDpO...
instagram.com
Instagram
Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Li Ning - after years in the weeds - continues its rehabilitation with a massive “street cred” bump as Stephen Curry sign on to new branded sportswear line. Curry joins Jimmy Butler, and Dwayne Wade as the company’s “Big Three".” www.espn.com/nba/story/_/...
espn.com
Stephen Curry signs with Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning
Stephen Curry has signed a 10-year endorsement contract with Chinese company Li-Ning, ending a recruitment process following Curry's departure from Under Armour.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Sounds too good to be true. Should I go for it?
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Interesting article in the Economist about the the next phase in the story of the Chinese super-app, namely the addition of AI Agentic services. The reporting underplays it a bit. In my own use of those services on Taobao - I find it more than useful. www.economist.com/business/202...
economist.com
AI super-apps are remaking China’s internet
Welcome to the agentic era
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Interesting article in the Economist about the the next phase in the story of the CHN super-app, namely the addition of AI Agentic services. Definitely, a massive opportunity here for anyone who can figure out how to make it work with the least friction www.economist.com/business/202...
economist.com
AI super-apps are remaking China’s internet
Welcome to the agentic era
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Is this what they mean by the "halo effect?"
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
In new rpt. Anthropic identifies the CCP+AI combo as not only an agent of repression to world, but also argues that the U.S. is ostensibly the only nation who can stop China from becoming its worst self. Interesting take/worthy of thoughtful discussion. www.anthropic.com/research/202...
anthropic.com
2028: Two scenarios for global AI leadership
Our views on the AI competition between the US and China.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
The internet in my city, outside the China only one, has been slowed to such an extent that its nearly useless. While I’m used to throttling the internet here, not sure it has been that it’s been this intense in a long time. Hopefully, it returns to its normal intensity soon.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
我去! The number, diversity, and frankly-funny AI gifs being generated by this summit (which is less than a day old) is jaw-dropping. No one leader (political or business; American or Chinese) is escaping the masses’ irreverence. I think I now see why the internet here is being throttled.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Currently, on TV here, Trump is glazing Xi like a champ and, of course, talking up how he’s brought America’s top businesspersons — to do a deal. What are the odds that Xi “eats his lunch” and Trump comes home calling it a win?
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Gotta love Pakman’s take on Trump’s trip to China … satirical and funny but clear-eyed and on point. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lP_...
youtube.com
Trump suffers mental breakdown on way to China
YouTube video by David Pakman Show
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
The massive throttling of the internet here, over the last few days, can't have anything to do with arrival of "Dear Leader" to the Middle Kingdom, can it?
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
What the heck? What use to be the occasional news story is now becoming a steady stream of western officials working for China at all levels of gvnt. West needs to upgrade the urgency of this issue [if they haven’t already] but clearly China has a plan www.nytimes.com/2026/05/11/u...
nytimes.com
California Mayor Will Plead Guilty to Working as Agent of China
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
There's something fishy about my lunch today.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Very interesting long read on how modern Western technology is validating ancient Chinese theories on acupuncture. Interesting to see today’s advances catching up with yesteryear’s understanding. Makes you wonder, how were the ancients so smart? www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
nytimes.com
Inside the Interstitium, the Human Body’s Hidden Pathways
The detection of another circulatory system in the human body could have enormous scientific implications.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Oh my! It appears my process of localization has finally been completed?
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
A weekend in the countryside is always good for what ails you. Ha!
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
This is shaping up to be fascinating look into one of the more esoteric elements of Sino-American relations, namely the phantom menace of the so-called PSB station abroad. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/06/n...
nytimes.com
Trial Begins for Man Accused of Running Secret Police Outpost for China
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
How Un-Trumpian is that! Despite the nasty fact that it kept tariffs on Eswatini (the one African country with ties to Taiwan). This is a smooth move by China in the PR department & makes the U.S. look like a** in a continent they should be looking to & investing in more. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
China scraps tariffs for all but one African nation
The zero-tariff regime gives China's soft power a boost, but may lead to uneven gains, say analysts.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Um... I've never had a McGriddle in the US ... but if they taste anything like the one I had here in the 大东北, I'm certain that I have not missed out.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
哎呀我去! In addition to the upcoming May Day holiday, Chinese students now have a new 3-day “Spring Break." Now their holiday is 8 days - then 1 day back in school - then a weekend. [What’s the Kalshi bet on the percentage of kids who actually show up for school on that 1 day?]
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
China's attempt to block Meta’s Manus grab is eye-raising on multiple levels, but also begs one question. If I (an expat) develop some ground-breaking AI tech here in China from my home with some help from DeepSeek or Qwen … could they also stop Meta from acquiring it? www.ft.com/content/1e4c...
ft.com
China blocks Meta’s $2bn purchase of AI group Manus
Regulators had reviewed whether deal violated Beijing’s investment rules
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
AI isn’t deciding the future of animation. Culture is. In China when half a billion fans want their new episode NOW, using AI isn't stealing animation jobs. It's filling a gap when demand outpaces human capacity. The real question: what happens when the gap closes? open.substack.com/pub/the2dx/p...
open.substack.com
Why China Is Embracing AI Animation While Japan and the U.S. Resist
Inside the industry forces pushing China to adopt AI animation faster than anyone else.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Dalian Metro ain't kidding in hyping the city while giving subway rides a bit more pop and dazzle.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Spring is in the air and so is a little outdoor 麻将 action for the local retirees.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Just finished reading Perry Link’s Anaconda in the Chandelier. It’s an interesting bird’s eye-er, snake’s eye - view of what it’s like for Chinese intellectuals to live in Xi-era China. IMHO it serves a great follow-up one of my fav Link books on China: Evening Chats in Beijing.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Interesting. There’s still room for int’l cooperation —> Europe and China are launching a joint space mission to study how Earth’s magnetic field shields. A rare example of collaboration as space competition intensifies. www.ft.com/content/a2fd...
ft.com
China and Europe launch rare joint space mission
Solar-focused project seeks to understand geomagnetic storms that can disrupt terrestrial communications
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Tonight there's an inordinate amount of 城馆 and street sweepers out and about ... forming somewhat imposing mobs on various street corners. I can only guess the show of force is to convince the locals against performing the burnt offerings that are fundamental to the 清明 tradition.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
What the heck! x.com/BrianTycangc...
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
I’m used to seeing “over the top” martial arts movies in China, as well as bald-faced propaganda against age-old enemies of China. What I’m not used to see is using both - and the recent “Cat Fu” meme - against the U.S. substack.com/@chinadecode...
substack.com
China Decoded (@chinadecoded)
This is the AI-generated martial arts (Wuxia) allegory titled "The Vendetta of Flowing Gold Valley" (流金谷恩仇录). It serves as a 5-minute creative explanation of the current geopolitical crisis in the Mid...
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Brooms & bunnies. This Sunday is a bit of a cultural phenomenon. It’s both Qingming Jie (清明节) & Easter. 1st of all, that has 2 be rare. But it goes deeper than just a sharing the day. They also represent the cycle of life. One honoring the dead, the other celebrating rebirth.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
If this is accurate, China is the world’s deadliest warzone. This begs the question … why is that? www.voronoiapp.com/history/The-...
voronoiapp.com
The Cost of War
War is often discussed in terms of strategy, territory, or power, but its true cost is human. This snapshot of history puts that into perspective, highlighti…
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
White Rabbit Candy - one of China's OG candy cos has learned how to change with the times. It now offers an amazing variety of flavors outside its classic "original" flavor. My fav of the new class: wasabi.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Agreed! From people I know in the US and China … what was already an imperfect understanding of each other has metastasized to a real concern. The world needs more “flowers blooming” on either side of the Pacific. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/22/o...
nytimes.com
Opinion | U.S. Leaders Need to See What’s Happening in China
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Interesting convo. well worth a listen. But listening to Ai’s description of the political similarities between today’s China & the US is eye-opening. Oppression can be open and notorious or tacit and ambiguous. But the end-goal is the same. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd6e...
youtube.com
The Threat of Censorship In The West | Ai Weiwei
YouTube video by The Rest Is Politics: Leading
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Here the 大东北 I always thought that girls and women seemed about the same size as in America … and more recently I’ve mentioned to friends that teenagers and younger adult women seem taller and bigger. This seems to confirm my observations.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Of all the Chinese hardware tech firms ... I've really been impressed with the gear Xiaomi has dropped over the past year. Hopefully their race to integrate AI won't upend their focus IMHO on products that just work.
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tbCh @blackchinahand.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
大律师下乡了... 正在往回走. After being “sent down” to the countryside for “reeducation,” I’ve successfully petitioned the Relevant Organs for my rehabilitation. Now it's time to get back to telling China’s story from the eyes of a traveler who has spent way too much time on the road in the Middle Kingdom.
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