Bill Bishop
@niubi · Asia
Bill Bishop is followed by The State of Israel for journalism and current affairs coverage connected to China in the Asia chapter.
Agree, the most important aspect of AI safety for Xi and the CPC is ensuring it can not threaten political security. Everything else is secondary to that
Maybe the way to get China to slowdown AI development is not some unenforceable agreement based on trust but rather much tougher crackdowns on distillation, chip smuggling and remote access to AI chips?
this report documents clear violations of PRC law by PRC entities. Anthropic should offer to forward its detailed findings to the Ministry of Public Security through the FBI's channel, would be a good example of US-China law enforcement cooperation: "these findings raise concerns about the misuse of user data by PRC AI labs. DeepSeek, Xiaomi, and Moonshot fed conversations between their own models and users into Claude. These labs then used Claude’s responses as training data with which to distill Claude’s capabilities. Some of these exchanges included sensitive information, including from individual users, major multinational companies, and state-affiliated actors. Many of these exchanges were relayed from users of third-party model routing services commonly used by users in the United States and Europe. Those sessions contained names, email addresses, company data, and other sensitive data of hundreds of end users in at least a dozen languages. These practices are likely inconsistent with privacy laws and the labs’ own terms of service."
"Despite years of Western export controls, restricted NVIDIA AI chips continue to reach China. New C4ADS analysis maps those active pathways, including university acquisitions, Southeast Asian transshipment, and the corporate ownership structure behind a $4.6B chip importer already under U.S. scrutiny." https://t.co/fPPSOOGwMm
Once a coder, Jason Carroll now sits atop Hudson River Trading, one of Wall Street’s most lucrative high-speed traders. Here’s how he built the company and a personal fortune surpassing $27 billion https://t.co/Xlo0RxPlHK definitely the richest Sidwell Friends alum
Building global standards. We will advocate for compatible international approaches to measuring capabilities, managing risk, preserving human control, and determining when and how development should slow or stop, even if that means slowing the advancement of model capabilities.
Today's Sinocism - Deflation over for now; MOFCOM responds to US distillation advisory; DeepSeek IPO and new model; Xi-Trump summit https://t.co/6T69NJl8jj Much of the commentary, including about MOFCOM's response to the US advisory on distillation, and the possibility for US-China AI dialogue, is outside the paywall
Caixin - China’s Passenger Car Sales Slump 24% in August "The deepening slump leaves a full-year sales contraction nearly inevitable and increases pressure on Chinese automakers that are focusing more on exports to find a way out." https://t.co/vknlyRDUbv
"China’s leaders continue to behave as though strategic competition remains undiminished...Chinese commentators now describe America and China as being on an equal footing and entering a period of “strategic stalemate.” Like any good negotiator, Chinese leaders do not want to pay more than is necessary to sustain a period of bilateral stability. For China’s leaders, the goal is to buy time and space to strengthen self-reliance, not necessarily to improve relations with the United States." by @ryanl_hass https://t.co/NUJjLHp3f6
Quite the letter from unions and industry groups to Thune and Schumer calling for passage of the bipartisan Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 - "Chinese automotive overcapacity distorts global markets and enables pricing that market-based competitors cannot sustainably match. Allowing Chinese automakers, or joint ventures involving Chinese firms, to establish a manufacturing presence in the United States would risk replicating these distortions within the U.S. market." Much more representative of labor and industry than "progressive" scholars telling workers what they should do. The signatories: Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) American Foundry Society (AFS) American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) American Wire Producers Association (AWPA) Cold Finished Steel Bar Institute (CFSBI) Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports (CPTI) International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA) United Steelworkers (USW)
they do understand "On protracted war" and Xi's vision of "constructive strategic stability" for US-China relations https://t.co/gxgxOoJgRb
uh-oh, there has been a "Dicision"...creative X phishing attempt https://t.co/bOJi2H6vul
The Ministry of Commerce is very unhappy with the NSA/FBI/CISA report accusing PRC AI firms of distillation. A long statement from the spokesperson: A: We have noted the reports. China believes that the US allegations that Chinese AI companies are conducting “industrial-scale” distillation of US models have neither a factual nor a legal basis. This move by the US politicizes and instrumentalizes distillation, a normal technical and commercial matter within the industry, while applying double standards in practice. The US advisory is further clear evidence of its pursuit of technological hegemony and a monopoly on computing power in the AI sector, and its suppression of competition. China firmly opposes this. 答：我们注意到有关情况。中方认为，美方所谓中国人工智能企业从事“工业规模”蒸馏美模型的指控，于事无凭，于法无据。美方此举，是将蒸馏这一业内正常的技术和商业问题政治化、工具化，并在实践中搞双重标准。美方相关公告，是其在人工智能领域推行科技霸权、搞算力垄断，打压竞争的又一明证。中方对此坚决反对。 Distillation is a common practice through which AI models learn from one another. It is inherently a neutral technical method, used by model developers worldwide, including US companies. This method can help models learn more efficiently and make more efficient use of human knowledge. It has positive significance for countries’ development of their AI industries, unlocking the potential of AI technology, bridging development gaps, and bringing benefits more widely to developing countries and the general public. 蒸馏是人工智能领域各个模型间互相学习的通行做法，本质是中性技术手段，包括美企在内的全球模型企业都在用。这种技术手段可以帮助模型提升学习效率，实现人类知识的更高效利用，对各国发展人工智能产业、释放人工智能技术潜力、弥补发展鸿沟、更广泛惠及发展中国家和社会大众有积极意义。 The US approach is a textbook example of double standards. In AI, China encourages open source and openness, cooperation and sharing. Chinese open-source models are available to companies worldwide, including US companies, facilitating their model research and development. Reports on model research and development by US companies also disclose their extensive distillation of Chinese models. Yet the US has repeatedly made unilateral accusations that Chinese companies engage in “industrial-scale” distillation, smearing a common industry practice as an attack. This reflects both US anxiety and its double standards. 美方做法是典型的双重标准。对于人工智能，中方鼓励开源开放、合作共享，中方开源模型向包括美企在内的全球企业开放，为相关模型研发提供便利。美企有关模型研发报告也披露，其大量蒸馏中国模型。反观美方，多次单方面指责中国企业从事“工业规模”蒸馏，将行业通行做法抹黑为攻击行为，既反映了美方的焦虑，又体现了双重标准。 The US approach is a textbook example of pursuing an industry monopoly under the pretext of cracking down on distillation. By having its security agencies issue the advisory, the US is tying the interests of certain companies and capital to national security, and using coercive state agencies to interfere in normal commercial activities. We have noted that certain US AI companies abuse their competitive advantages by imposing unfair terms in user agreements, such as broad geographic restrictions. The US allegations concerning distillation raise suspicions that they are intended to endorse these unfair terms. 美方做法是典型的以打击蒸馏为名，行产业垄断之实。美方由安全部门发布公告，是将个别企业和资本利益与国家安全相捆绑，动用国家强权机构干涉正常商业活动。我们注意到，美个别人工智能企业滥用竞争优势地位，在用户协议中设置宽泛的地域限制等霸王条款。美方相关蒸馏指控，有为这些霸王条款背书之嫌。 The US approach is a textbook example of using state power to maintain technological hegemony and a monopoly on computing power while suppressing competition. Since the beginning of this year, US executive and legislative bodies have frequently threatened sanctions and other punitive measures against Chinese companies over their distillation activities. The aim is to suppress competition and preserve US monopolies in computing power and data, ensuring that only the US can win, rather than humanity as a whole. It turns global AI resources that should be openly and fairly accessible into the exclusive preserve of a handful of companies, preventing other countries from sharing broadly in the benefits of AI innovation. 美方做法是典型的动用国家力量维护科技霸权和算力垄断，打压竞争。今年以来，美行政、立法机关频频发出对中国企业蒸馏行为的制裁打压威胁，其目的是打压竞争，维护美在算力、数据方面的垄断，只能美国独赢，不能人类共赢，将本应公开公平获取的全球人工智能资源变成少数企业的独占资源，阻止他国参与人工智能创新成果的普惠共享。 The large-model industry is currently at a critical stage of technological iteration, recurring risks, and growth and development. As major countries, China and the US should address the challenges and risks facing AI with a positive and responsible attitude. The two heads of state have agreed to conduct an intergovernmental dialogue on AI. China is willing to engage in constructive and professional discussions with the US through dialogue, on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation. However, if the US takes action to contain and suppress Chinese AI companies under the pretext of cracking down on distillation, China will resolutely take countermeasures. We hope the US will work with China toward the same goal, manage risks through dialogue and communication, and help the AI industry benefit the world. 当前，大模型产业正处于技术迭代、风险迭发、成长发展的关键时期。中美作为大国，应以积极负责态度处理人工智能领域面临的挑战和风险。两国元首已同意开展人工智能政府间对话，中方愿意以平等互利、合作共赢原则，通过对话与美方开展建设性和专业的讨论。但如果美方以打击蒸馏为名，实施遏压中国人工智能企业的行动，中方必将坚决采取措施予以反制。希望美方与中方相向而行，通过对话和沟通管控风险，推动人工智能产业惠及全球。 https://t.co/uJDG3Dxyuk
"“The AGI opportunity ahead should be enormous,” DeepSeek boss Liang Wenfeng said in a transcript leaked in July from a May 2026 investor call. He has described DeepSeek employees as relatively uninterested in commercial opportunities: “Most do not see them as being remotely as important as AGI.” Meanwhile, MiniMax’s chief executive Yan Junjie has told his employees he won’t take a salary until AGI is achieved." https://t.co/y1ogYZYuWl by two of the Americans most knowledgable about what the PRC is doing in AI
Then why was Ford lobbying so hard this summer to water down the Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026?
Between this report and Bessent’s comments earlier today, how does the Trump Administration not do more to target distillation as well as remote access to high-end AI chips? https://t.co/RmGukTJN4K
"Mexico appreciates the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence proposed by China and firmly adheres to the one-China principle and UN General Assembly Resolution 2758." Wang Yi Holds Talks with Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Roberto Velasco Álvarez https://t.co/czmXUqIJoR
MingPao - Central Social Governance Leading Group Emerges Suddenly, With Cai Qi at the Helm 中國透視：中央社會治理小組 橫空殺出 蔡奇掛帥 ／文：劉實 https://t.co/kmaLGGAKkA
Caixin Commentary: Zombie Automakers Are Fueling China’s Export Chaos https://t.co/dk4NHQDivB "Chinese auto companies have aggressively expanded overseas precisely to escape a domestic market that has become a financial bloodbath"
A.I. Models Built a Computer Worm That Could Rapidly Hack WeChat Accounts https://t.co/eyMvvYfaEp
fines for Xiangsheng comedian Guo Degang changing lyrics in the "well-known War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression song 'Play My Beloved Tu Pipa'" - 武汉市文旅局通报郭德纲篡改歌词处理情况 Wuhan Culture and Tourism Bureau Announces Handling of Guo Degang's Alteration of Song Lyrics https://t.co/oJdG5pHovL The notice said that songs about the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression carry the Chinese nation's memories of the war and its national sentiments, and no organization or individual will be permitted to distort or alter them. Oversight will be strengthened in accordance with the law to effectively safeguard the cultural market environment. 通报说，抗战歌曲承载中华民族抗战记忆与民族情感，绝不允许任何单位和个人歪曲篡改。将依法加强监管，切实维护文化市场环境。
Better to disband it then have khanna be chair if the dems take the house
“As posted before, regarding the so-called “enemy State” clauses in the Charter of the United Nations, a resolution recognizing it as obsolete was adopted by an overwhelming majority at the 1995 UN General Assembly, with China itself casting a vote in favor. Furthermore, at the 2005 UN World Summit, a General Assembly resolution was adopted stipulating the resolution of all Member State leaders to delete references to “enemy States” from the UN Charter, with China also joining the consensus.”
China’s secret lifeline to Russia’s killer drone producer – POLITICO https://t.co/0vw4LNoDMq
China will never allow any country to achieve AI dominance: Victor Gao https://t.co/gHuQHguOfm via @scmpnews ““China’s grip on rare earth control will deny the United States any chance of achieving AI for evil purposes,” he added. “China wants to break up that dominance. China wants to make sure that AI will be used for good, rather than be misused for evil.”