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Sense Hofstede

@sensehofstede.nl
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China Team Brussels Office Head & China Projects Analyst @amo.cz @chinaobservers.eu. Studies China, Singapore, and Taiwan; party-state & international relations. | 何森璱 sensehofstede.nl

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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 5h
In June I wrote about the role that China’s military attachés play in Beijing’s military diplomacy and intelligence: chinaobservers.eu/why-cee-is-i...
chinaobservers.eu
Why CEE Is Interesting for Chinese Military Diplomacy  – chinaobservers
Beijing’s armed forces are a powerful actor in the Chinese system with their own role in the country’s foreign policy – also in CEE. Serbia’s unique place in Ch
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 5h
Der Spiegel reports that the former German spy chief arrested for treason was in touch with retired major general Wang Jianzheng, formerly at the Chinese representation in East Berlin and Chinese military attaché in unified Germany.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 5h
Der Spiegel: „[…] Diplomaten, der lange in Deutschland gedient hat: Wang Jianzheng, Generalmajor außer Dienst. Wang war von 1987 bis 1990 an der chinesischen Vertretung in Ost-Berlin eingesetzt. Zweimal kehrte er später nach Deutschland zurück, zuletzt als Militärattaché bis 2013.“
spiegel.de
(S+) August Hanning: Ex-BND-Chef soll Kontakte zu chinesischem Geheimdienstmann gepflegt haben
Bei den Ermittlungen gegen den ehemaligen Präsidenten des BND verfolgen Fahnder nach SPIEGEL-Recherchen eine Spur nach China: Hat August Hanning sensible Informationen an einen Angehörigen des chinesi...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 5h
Der Spiegel: Ex-BND-Chef Hanning unterhielt Kontakte zu chinesischem General – „Nach SPIEGEL-Informationen handelt es sich um China. Nach seiner Pensionierung reiste der ehemalige BND-Chef mehrfach in die autoritär regierte Volksrepublik. Dort kennt Hanning einen hochrangigen Militär und […]“
spiegel.de
(S+) August Hanning: Ex-BND-Chef soll Kontakte zu chinesischem Geheimdienstmann gepflegt haben
Bei den Ermittlungen gegen den ehemaligen Präsidenten des BND verfolgen Fahnder nach SPIEGEL-Recherchen eine Spur nach China: Hat August Hanning sensible Informationen an einen Angehörigen des chinesi...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 9h
SCMP: Kremlin aide Nikolai Patrushev visits China amid speculation about potential Xi-Putin-Trump meeting – ‘chairman of Russia’s Maritime Board’ ‘a delegation that included representatives from government agencies, major logistics firms, shipbuilders and scientific and educational institutions’
scmp.com
Kremlin aide visits China amid speculation about potential Xi-Putin-Trump meeting
Nikolai Patrushev will hold maritime talks, but his trip is being watched for signs that a summit is planned for November.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 9h
Reuters: Chinese militia boat spotted for first time off Taiwan’s east coast, patrol finds – ‘China, […], has stepped up activity off the island’s east coast since June with regular coast guard patrols.’
reuters.com
EXCLUSIVE: China militia boat spotted for first time off Taiwan's east coast, patrol finds
A Chinese militia boat was spotted along with two other vessels off Taiwan's Pacific coast in August, ​according to a surveillance report reviewed by Reuters, the first known sighting of such a craft ...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 9h
Algemene Inlichtingen- en Veiligheidsdienst: MIVD en AIVD verwachten toename Chinese cyberaanvallen via edge devices – „Chinese hackers richten hun pijlen steeds vaker op apparaten die organisaties gebruiken om met het internet te verbinden, de zogenaamde ‘edge devices’.”
aivd.nl
MIVD en AIVD verwachten toename Chinese cyberaanvallen via edge devices | AIVD
MIVD en AIVD verwachten toename Chinese cyberaanvallen via edge devices
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 10h
Reuters: China’s funding of development institutions is up sharply, but its power still lags, CGD study shows – ‘Beijing was not filling all the gaps left by Washington and other Western powers, many of which have cut development outlays.’
reuters.com
China's funding of development institutions is up sharply, but its power still lags, study shows
China, the world's second-largest economy, has boosted funding of multilateral development institutions ​tenfold since 2010, but its voting power and presence in international bodies still lag its eco...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 10h
SCMP: Renault’s plan for Chinese EV motor assembly in small French town sparks job loss fears – ‘planned arrival of an assembly line from Chinese firm Shanghai E-Drive next year, in collaboration with Renault to produce EV motors’
scmp.com
Renault’s plan to build Chinese EV motors in French town sparks job loss fears
As EU-China trade talks near, the Renault plant shows the hard reality of creating jobs in a shrinking industry, even with Chinese partners.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 10h
The Guardian: EU drops sponsorship of disinformation conference at Trump officials’ request – ‘a panel framing the US as a foreign information threat’ ‘Despite withdrawing its branding as an official supporter, the EU continues to fund the conference.’
theguardian.com
EU drops sponsorship of disinformation conference at Trump officials’ request
Lithuania and Canada were also pressured to withdraw, and days before #Disinfo2026, logos were wiped off website
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 10h
Focus Taiwan: 18-month jail sentence sought over surveillance of DPP’s Taipei Mayor candidate, the Beijing-sanctioned legislator Puma Shen
focustaiwan.tw
18-month jail sentence sought over surveillance of DPP's Shen - Focus Taiwan
Prosecutors on Wednesday sought an 18-month prison term for a man accused of taking NT$360,000 (US$11,299) from two Hong Kong residents to surveil Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Puma Sh...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 11h
Yuyuan Tan Tian, Translated by Bill Bishop’s Sinocism: China-EU economic and trade relations need broader consensus
sinocism.notion.site
China-EU Economic and Trade Relations Need Broader Consensus | Notion
Translated by ChatGPT, edited by Sinocism.com.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 11h
Bloomberg: CCTV-linked account Yuyuan Tan Tian warned the EU that China has several tools at its disposal if trade tensions worsen – ‘including foreign-subsidy probes and anti-discrimination measures’
bloomberg.com
China Warns EU It Has Tools Ready if Trade Tensions Escalate
China warned the European Union it has several tools including foreign-subsidy probes and anti-discrimination measures at its disposal if trade tensions worsen, according to a social media account aff...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 12h
SCMP – ‘No more dumping, no more spying’: European Parliament hardens line on China – ‘Nonetheless, Beijing may be content with the success of two amendments proposed by the [social democratic] grouping, which sought to soften the report’s framing.’
scmp.com
‘No more dumping, no more spying’: European Parliament hardens line on China
Report calls Beijing an ‘existential threat’ to industry and urges naval exercises around Taiwan Strait.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 12h
POLITICO Europe: EU Parliament toughens China stance ahead of Šefčovič’s Beijing visit – ‘for many lawmakers, simply tackling Chinese overcapacity isn't enough.’
politico.eu
EU toughens China stance ahead of Šefčovič’s Beijing visit
Policymakers in the European Parliament want the bloc to address more than the trade imbalance.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 12h
SCMP: German President Steinmeier plans China trip as Berlin sharpens trade stance – ‘Previously a staunch supporter of the Ostpolitik thread that ran through post-Cold War German politics, […], his position shifted notably following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.’
scmp.com
Exclusive | German President Steinmeier targets China trip as Berlin sharpens trade stance
Trip coincides with Merz’s Asia tour as Berlin and Paris advocate new EU mechanism to exclude rule-breaking trade partners.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 12h
dpa: German government blocks sale of Hamburg logistics firm Zippel to China’s COSCO – ‘due to security concerns.’
yahoo.com
Germany blocks sale of Hamburg logistics firm to China's COSCO
The German government has blocked the sale of large parts of Hamburg logistics company Zippel to China's state-owned shipping giant COSCO due to security concerns. A spokesman for the German Economy M...
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Reposted by Sense Hofstede
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
But S&D amendments seeking to soften the report ACCEPTED This language restores the language of a “comprehensive strategic partnership”, while stressed avoidance of "bloc confrontation" & while downgrading security & deleting reciprocity as organising principles Big compromise
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Reposted by Sense Hofstede
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
BREAKING: European Parliament significantly toughens China position, adopted by landslide FOR 454 AGAINST 86 ABSTAIN 110 Report says China is “decisive enabler” of Russia & backs a “continuous [European] naval presence and joint exercises” in and around the Taiwan Strait
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
The New York Times: In race with US, China struggles to recruit foreign AI researchers – ‘foreigners are not coming. Worse still for China’s ambitions, the number of Chinese scientists working in the United States has risen rather than declined’
nytimes.com
In Race With U.S., China Struggles to Recruit Foreign A.I. Researchers
China’s booming artificial intelligence sector has given local researchers good reason to remain in the country, but it has yet to lure overseas scientists despite a government push.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
CNN: US and China discussing reciprocal nuclear site visits amid concerns about a new arms race – ‘The discussions, which have been informal and preliminary, come amid mounting US concerns about China’s rapidly growing nuclear weapons program’
edition.cnn.com
US and China discussing reciprocal nuclear site visits amid concerns about a new arms race | CNN Politics
The Trump administration has discussed beginning reciprocal nuclear site visits with China and plans to continue pushing for that possibility during in-person meetings in the coming months, according ...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
Handelsblatt: Bundesregierung soll Taiwan-Krieg durchspielen – „Die China-Kommission des Deutschen Bundestags will die deutsche Wirtschaft zu mehr Unabhängigkeit von China zwingen […] solle jedes Jahr ‘Geoökonomie-Stresstests’ mit Verbänden und systemisch wichtigen Unternehmen durchführen.“
handelsblatt.com
China: Bundesregierung soll Taiwan-Krieg durchspielen
Die vom Bundestag eingesetzte China-Kommission macht weitreichende Vorschläge für einen härteren Umgang mit China. Die Bundesregierung arbeitet bereits an einem ähnlichen Vorhaben.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
Bloomberg: The Philippines is investigating alleged inflows of more than 300 million pesos [€4.2mn] from China into a company associated with Sara Duterte’s husband
bloomberg.com
China Money Linked to Philippine VP Duterte’s Spouse Under Probe
The Philippines is investigating the national security implications of alleged inflows of more than 300 million pesos ($4.8 million) from China into a company associated with Vice President Sara Duter...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
Reuters: Attack aircraft, military vehicles visible at new China-Laos base, satellite images show – ‘In helping Laos build up Ban Keun, China is now ​occupying a site the ⁠US used covertly at the height of the Vietnam War.’
reuters.com
EXCLUSIVE: Attack aircraft, military vehicles visible at new China-Laos base, satellite images show
Light attack aircraft and military vehicles have arrived at the new China-Laos joint training facility announced last Tuesday, according to ​satellite images reviewed by Reuters.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
Reuters: France’s Mistral launches AI model it says outperforms some Chinese rivals – ‘Mistral said Le Chonk, officially named Mistral Large 4, will be made publicly available on October 27.’
reuters.com
France's Mistral launches AI model it says outperforms some Chinese rivals
French AI startup Mistral unveiled ‌a new AI model on Tuesday, ending a gap of about five months between major releases, and said it outperforms many rival open-weight models.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
The paper:
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
The letter:
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
FAZ: „Bis das nötige Gesetz verabschiedet ist, dürften indes auch im besten Fall einige Monate vergehen. […] Eine Option ist nach Informationen der F.A.Z., Zölle auf Produkte aus den besonders vom ‘China-Schock’ betroffenen Branchen und auf Rohstoffe zu erheben […].“
faz.net
Berlin will China im Konfliktfall vom EU-Markt ausschließen
Mitte Oktober wollen die EU-Chefs entscheiden, ob sie härter gegen China vorgehen. Deutschland und Frankreich arbeiten schon an einem neuen Schutzinstrument.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
POLITICO Europe: Merz and Macron want the EU to hit back harder—and faster—against trade threats – ‘The proposal seeks to strengthen the hand of Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, who flies to Beijing on Thursday for the final round of talks’
politico.eu
Merz and Macron want the EU to hit back harder — and faster — against trade threats
France and Germany want to give Brussels new powers to rapidly block imports deemed an economic or security threat.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
SCMP: ‘The paper also calls for a new diversification instrument to reduce dependencies and force companies to spread their sourcing risks, and the more frequent and rapid deployment of trade investigations. Berlin and Paris specifically call for urgent targeted measures in chemicals’
scmp.com
France, Germany seek new EU weapon to instantly cut off market access for China
Strategy laid out in joint paper and letter to EU chief signed by the leaders of the two largest members of the bloc and seen by the SCMP.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
SCMP: France and Germany call for new weapon allowing ‘immediate cut off’ of China from EU market – ‘laid out in a joint paper written by the bloc’s two largest members, as well as a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’ ‘activation by reversed qualified majority’
scmp.com
France, Germany seek new EU weapon to instantly cut off market access for China
Strategy laid out in joint paper and letter to EU chief signed by the leaders of the two largest members of the bloc and seen by the SCMP.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
Irish Examiner: Irish security services engage with UK universities amid growing concern over Chinese espionage – ‘the Government, and leading officials in departments and agencies, are keen to not to say anything publicly that might jeopardise economic and educational relationships with China.’
irishexaminer.com
Irish security services engage with UK universities amid growing concern over Chinese espionage
Revelation follows rare public intervention by the British security service MI5, warning British universities that China’s intelligence apparatus is behind 'front education companies' that fund Britis...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
Reuters: ‘Portbase, the digital system that underpins Europe’s largest port of Rotterdam, said that a 2019 MOU with LOGINK did not progress beyond exploratory discussions. […] Dutch government queries about the relationship in early 2022 contributed to Portbase’s decision not to pursue […]’
reuters.com
The US said China was priming a trade superweapon. Then it vanished.
Four years ago, the United States warned that China was poised to unleash a state-backed digital dragnet that would rapidly expand across the globe and give Beijing unprecedented insight into the flow...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
Reuters: The US said China was priming a trade superweapon, LOGINK. Then it vanished. – ‘a state-backed digital dragnet’ ‘the venture suffered a stunning reversal, reported here ​for the first time. Its flagship global partnerships have stalled’
reuters.com
The US said China was priming a trade superweapon. Then it vanished.
Four years ago, the United States warned that China was poised to unleash a state-backed digital dragnet that would rapidly expand across the globe and give Beijing unprecedented insight into the flow...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
FT: China fuels tensions with partners over scaled-back Apec summit plans – ‘has proposed moving a key meeting of foreign and trade ministers online, according to six people familiar with the plan. It also plans to omit the “retreat” that traditionally accompanies the summit’
ft.com
China fuels tensions with partners over scaled-back summit plans
Apec forum in Shenzhen plans to move ministers’ meeting online and skip leaders’ retreat
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
SCMP: Beijing wanted more from Xi’s state visit to Washington – ‘sources told the South China Morning Post that Beijing had pushed for a more ambitious programme for Xi’s first state visit to the United States in more than a decade.’
scmp.com
Exclusive | Beijing wanted more from Xi’s state visit to Washington
Sources say US knocked back proposals such as engagement with the business community and public, talks on AI and security issues.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
SCMP: Turkmenistan grows its arsenal of Chinese air defences as Russia’s role shrinks – ‘the latest acquisitions appeared to be part of a broader modernisation of Turkmenistan’s air defences using Chinese equipment.’
scmp.com
Turkmenistan grows its arsenal of Chinese air defences as Russia’s role shrinks
Amid regional instability, Central Asian nations look beyond Moscow for arms as the war in Ukraine drains Russian stocks.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
SCMP: ‘Beijing’s policy advisers map out how post-reunification Taiwan could be governed – ‘Tsinghua University and Xiamen University have finalised their studies on the subject this year, with another one conducted by Peking University close to completion’
scmp.com
In Focus | Beijing policy advisers map out how post-reunification Taiwan could be governed
Mainland Chinese scholars discuss varying levels of autonomy for the island based on how reunification is achieved.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
Taipei Times: China’s consulate pressured Munich institute to cancel Taiwan Travelogue author event – ‘An interpreter refused to translate comments to Yang Shuang-zi and would not translate certain Mandarin words such as “Taiwan”’
taipeitimes.com
China pressured Munich institute to cancel author event - Taipei Times
The Chinese consulate in Munich last week unsuccessfully pressured a local literary institute to cancel a talk by Taiwanese author Yang Shuang-zi (楊?子), said Chao Yen-ching (趙彥清), director-general of ...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 06/10/2026
Taipei Times: Kangsi Coming TV host Kevin Tsai faces backlash in China over attending Puma Shen (DPP) campaign event – ‘Leapmotor, […], removed promotional content related to the entertainer […], while fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar China deleted an interview with Tsai published last month.’
taipeitimes.com
TV host Kevin Tsai faces backlash over Shen event - Taipei Times
Taiwanese television host Kevin Tsai (蔡康永) has faced a backlash in China after he on Sunday attended the opening of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Taipei mayoral candidate Puma Shen’s (沈伯洋) campai...
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Reposted by Sense Hofstede
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
💥Boom - it's ready, the joint Franco-German paper / letter to VDL on China. Berlin & Paris - previously at polar opposite ends of the scale on China policy - now want a kill switch to cut China out of the EU market. This would have been unfathomable a few short months ago 🤯
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 05/10/2026
‘“Local governments are part of a bigger plan: there is a national policy of self-sufficiency,” says Sense Hofstede, a Brussels-based expert in EU-China relations at Czech think tank AMO. “They know that Beijing has their back because they are working in Beijing’s interests.”’
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Reposted by Sense Hofstede
Finbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Incredible line from Handelsblatt story on Franco-German proposal for a "kill switch" for China trade After European Council next week, Commission will "present its torture chamber," said a senior official. "China's most vulnerable point is its dependence on European market"
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 05/10/2026
NRC: Nederlandse industrie ergert zich aan dumping en misleiding door Chinese concurrenten en vreest voor sluiting meer fabrieken – „Onder de radar zien veel Nederlandse bedrijven de problemen groter worden, geeft [FME-voorzitter Theo Henrar] aan.”
nrc.nl
Nederlandse industrie ergert zich aan dumping en misleiding door Chinese concurrenten en vreest voor sluiting meer fabrieken
Nederlandse industrie: In Nederland is de paniek over de China-schok minder groot dan in Duitsland. Maar Nederlandse industriebedrijven voelen wel degelijk de pijn van de toegenomen Chinese concurrent...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 04/10/2026
Taipei Times: US to assign liaisons in Taiwan’s defence ministry, sources say – ‘the Pentagon would dispatch representatives from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and the Institute for Defense Analyses’
taipeitimes.com
US to assign liaisons in MND: sources - Taipei Times
Taiwan-US military cooperation is deepening, with the Pentagon expected to station personnel at the Ministry of National Defense (MND), sources said.The NT$470 million (US$14.77 million) joint program...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 04/10/2026
Reuters: Chinese work gathering pace on Antelope Reef in South China Sea, latest satellite images show – ‘China's most significant military expansion in the South China Sea in ⁠a decade, extending the reach of Chinese naval ships and military aircraft’
reuters.com
EXCLUSIVE: Chinese work gathering pace on Antelope Reef in South China Sea, latest satellite images show
Analysts estimate a full-scale runway could be completed by mid-2027, strengthening Beijing's military control over the disputed ‌sea.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 04/10/2026
Kyodo News: Documents show China weighed military action in Hong Kong in 2014 – ‘The Umbrella Movement was quelled in December 2014 following a forced clearance operation by Hong Kong police.’
english.kyodonews.net
Documents show China weighed military action in Hong Kong in 2014
Documents seen by Kyodo News have revealed that high-ranking Chinese military officials in November 2014 considered military intervention to suppress a pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, raising que...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 04/10/2026
Bloomberg: China’s government has expanded overseas travel restrictions for top AI professionals in private firms to include the families of key personnel – ‘now required to obtain approval from Beijing before going abroad even for short trips’
bloomberg.com
China Broadens Travel Curbs to Encompass Family of Top AI Talent
China has expanded overseas travel restrictions for top AI professionals in private firms to include the families of key personnel, further tightening measures designed to prevent the outflow of criti...
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 04/10/2026
POLITICO Europe: German industry hoards rare earths as Brussels squares up to China – ‘alarmed by the risk that Beijing could restrict rare earth exports if next month’s trade talks between the EU and China break down.’
politico.eu
German industry hoards rare earths as Brussels squares up to China
Companies fear Europe’s push to rebalance trade with Beijing could trigger retaliation against critical supply chains.
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Sense Hofstede @sensehofstede.nl · 04/10/2026
The Guardian: MI5 warns UK universities over ‘theft of tech secrets by Chinese front company’ – ‘said researchers and academics should cease work with the China General Technology Research Institute (CGTRI), sometimes also known as the China Academy of General Technology (CAGT).’
theguardian.com
MI5 warns UK universities over ‘theft of tech secrets by Chinese front company’
Security service says academics should stop working with and taking grants from firm backed by Chinese intelligence
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