On today’s show Andrew and Bill react to the news that the rumors were true, and CMC members Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli are under investigation for corruption. Topics include: The timing of the announcement from the Defense Ministry, why this weekend’s news inspired such a volume of reactions around the world, a history of Xi’s crackdowns on the PLA, questions about rumors of a coup against Xi, reports that Zhang Youxia was working with the U.S., the PLA corruption heyday and its implications for what might come next, and various ways to think about the implications for Taiwan. At the end: The first batch of H-200s is approved for purchase, and the TikTok sale is approved as users lash out with censorship claims.

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Bill Bishop is the author of Sinocism

To email the show: email@sharpchina.fm

@SharpTechPodcast Channel — YouTube

@Stratechery Channel — YouTube

PLA purges intensify: Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli under investigation — Sinocism

Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli case; National Conference on Science and Technology; Slow bull market; UK PM to China; US NDS — Sinocism

Xi Jinping’s purge of top general sends China’s military into uncharted waters — Financial Times

Gutian Congress — Wikipedia

China’s Top General Accused of Giving Nuclear Secrets to U.S. — Wall Street Journal

Xi Seeks ‘Total Control’ of Military With Purge, Perdue Says — Bloomberg

The demise of Zhang Youxia hits different — Drew Thompson

The Zhang Youxia case — Sinocism Live

China Approves Purchases of Nvidia’s H200 Chip, Easing Tension With U.S. — Wall Street Journal

China, US sign off on TikTok US spinoff — Semafor