China
WARNING: China’s Xi Targets Taiwan, Hong Kong and the West in speech

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks at the opening session of the 20th Communist Party of China’s National Congress demonstrated that Xi is confidently preparing his country for conflict with the United States and Taiwan. His speech included threats to the West and Taiwan, and assertions that Hong Kong and Macao were firmly under China’s control.
Veiled Threats to the West
Xi’s speech had several veiled references that are preparing the Chinese people for a conflict with the West. Xi ominously warned CCP cadres to “be more mindful of potential dangers, be prepared to deal with worst-case scenarios, and be ready to withstand high winds, choppy waters, and even dangerous storms.” Xi also mentioned that China “cannot be swayed by fallacies, deterred by intimidation, or cowed by pressure.” In not-so-veiled propaganda against the United States, Xi stated that “China stands firmly against all forms of hegemonism and power politics, the Cold War mentality, interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and double standards.”
China Owns Taiwan’s Fate, By Force if Necessary
Xi’s words on Taiwan were more specific. First, Xi signaled that one of his main objectives is for the Chinese takeover of the island. Xi stated that “[t]he wheels of history are rolling on toward China’s reunification [with Taiwan] and the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Complete reunification of our country must be realized, and it can, without a doubt, be realized.” Xi also remarked that “resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people, a matter that must be resolved by the Chinese people.” According to Global Times, this reference to Taiwan indicates that Xi views Taiwan as an issue of domestic, not foreign affairs.
And on the details of this “reunification” with Taiwan, Xi stated that China is prepared to use force. Specifically, Xi stated that “[China] will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost effort, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force, and we reserve the option of taking all measures necessary.”
Zhang Wensheng, a deputy dean of the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, noted that Xi’s comments on Taiwan serve “as a fresh warning to outside forces and the few separatists seeking ‘Taiwan independence,’” as well as to “outside forces.” This echoed similar comments by Sun Yeli, spokesperson for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, who commented that while peaceful reunification with Taiwan is China’s first choice, China will resort to non-peaceful means to combat against “external influence” and “separatist activities.” Sun added that such forces “will plunge Taiwan into the abyss of disaster, and bring profound and heavy tragedies for Taiwan compatriots,” and that, as cited by Global Times, “no party, and no force should underestimate our strong determination, firm will and powerful strength to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Wang Jianmin, a senior cross-Straits expert at Minnan Normal University, also stated that if external forces continued to interfere in the Taiwan issue, this would “force the Chinese government to take non-peaceful means.”
Hong Kong and Macao Remain Firmly Under China’s Control
As usual, any autonomy that Xi promised to Hong Kong and Macao is a mirage. While Xi stated that Hong Kong and Macao will be “administer[ed]” by their own people, with a “high degree of autonomy,” Xi alsowarned that “[w]e will remain committed to law-based governance in Hong Kong and Macao,” that the “central government exercises overall jurisdiction over the two regions, and that Hong Kong and Macao are administered by patriots.” The fact that the Chinese government has the final say, and that these two cities are “administered by patriots” means that China has total control, and that there is no autonomy.
Xi also continued to whitewash China’s brutal suppression of Hong Kong. Xi dismissed the Hong Kong democratic protests as “turbulent changes,” and praised China’s suppression of those protests as China “effectively exercis[ing] full control […] and implement[ing] the principal of patriots ruling Hong Kong, resulting in a major turnaround in the situation in Hong Kong from chaos to governance.”
Conclusion
Xi used the 20th Communist Party of China’s National Congress to telegraph his game plan for Chinese relations with Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, and the West. The speech shows that Xi is readily embracing increased conflict with the West and Taiwan, and the continued suppression of Hong Kong and Macao.
You can follow Steve Postal on Twitter @HebraicMosaic

China
‘I Don’t Buy It’: Both Democrats and Republicans don’t believe TikTok’s pledge to protect Americans from CCP

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew had a hard time smoothing things over with both Democrats and Republicans during his Thursday testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. both parties expressed cynicism towards the notion that TikTok would protect U.S. data and American users of the app from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Specifically, lawmakers and regulators are concerned “about Chinese laws which require companies based in the country, such as TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, to provide the CCP with access to user data and other proprietary information” reports National Review.
National Review noted that TikTok was reportedly told by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., an inter-agency panel consisting of nine cabinet-level officials, to sell its stake in the social-media app or risk a ban in the U.S.
Before Chew testified on Thursday, China said it strongly opposed ByteDance’s divestment from the social-media platform. China’s Commerce Ministry said that a sale or divestiture of TikTok would involve exporting technology and had to be approved by the Chinese government, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Democrat and ranking member, Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. of New Jersey said Chew’s solution of a $1.5 billion plan nicknamed ‘Project Texas’ which allegedly would “wall off U.S. operations, with all data being stored here” is unacceptable.
Project Texas would give U.S. company Oracle based in Texas the ability to access TikTok’s algorithms in order to flag issues for government inspectors. “I still believe that the Beijing Communist government will still control and have the ability to influence what you do. So this idea, this Project Texas is simply not acceptable,” Pallone said.
“Look, the impression you are giving, and I can understand why you are giving that impression, is that you are just performing some kind of public service here. Right? I mean this is a benign company that is just performing a public service. Maybe that’s not what you are saying, but I don’t buy it,” Pallone continued.
Democrat Marc Veasey of Texas stated to Chew, “A lot of your evasiveness today in answering many of these questions really disturbs me.” The committee’s chairwoman, Republican Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers from Washington opened the hearing by exposing Chew off the bat: “You state that ByteDance is not beholden to the CCP. Again, each of the individuals I listed are affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party.”
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