Sharp China: The Foreign Influencer Ecosystem; Money Flowing Out of China; Xi’s Exit Strategy; A Mao YouTube Controversy

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On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with a new generation of foreign influencers said to be assisting in Xi's campaign to “tell China's story well” and an update on Wolf Warrior diplomacy as 2023 draws to a close. Then: Q&A with the Sinocism chat, including a request for tangible signs of fentanyl progress, regional governments vying for debt relief, Li Qiang at the Central Financial Commission, and a look at why and how PRC citizens are moving investments outside China. At the end: One listener's theory on why Xi may retain power for years to come, the outbreaks straining hospitals around China, and a renowned Chef's egg fried rice ignites a controversy

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Related readings:

Politburo meeting; No date for Third Plenum; More Party in foreign affairs work; Support for private enterprises; Myanmar-PRC border; 蛋炒饭 -- Sinocism

Xi in Shanghai; Politburo studies foreign legal work; Xi and Putin's gas; ICBC corruption -- Sinocism 

Singing from the CCP’s songsheet -- Australian Strategic Policy Institute 

Friendly foreign influencers win growing following in China -- Financial Times 

Sidney Rittenberg, Idealistic American Aide to Mao Who Evolved to Counsel Capitalists, Dies at 98 -- N.Y. Times 

Zhao Lijian: China reassigns combative ‘Wolf Warrior’ diplomat -- BBC 

China Premier Li Qiang Named Head of Powerful Financial Body -- Bloomberg 

Gold Bars and Tokyo Apartments: How Money Is Flowing Out of China. -- N.Y. Times 

Everything You Need to Know About China’s Child Pneumonia Outbreak -- Bloomberg 

China's Next Epidemic Is Already Here - Foreign Policy

Famous Chef Accused of Mocking Mao, Again -- China Digital Times 

Chef Wang teaches you: Homestyle egg fried rice. Several key steps, let's learn together! -- Chef Wang 

Mao Zedong’s son died over a bowl of egg-fried rice and the CCP continues to cover it up -- State of Play in China 

Chef Wang’s Youtube channel, now English subtitles available in the settings

Chef Wang has one of the best outdoor kitchens in the world:

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