Sinocism Live LIVE with Bill Bishop: The world order is shifting — and China is moving fast to shape it.
10 snips
Feb 3, 2026 
Bill Bishop, author of the Sinocism newsletter and China analyst, offers brisk takes on shifting global power. He breaks down Starmer's Beijing visit and European engagement with China. He discusses UK political optics, Chinese leverage, rare earths strategy, and how allies are hedging between Washington and Beijing. He closes with scenarios for US–China relations through 2028.
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China Sells Stability To Western Allies
- China frames itself as a force for stability while portraying the U.S. as a source of instability.
- This narrative helps Beijing exploit fissures with U.S. allies like the UK and Canada.
Big Optics, Small Tangible Wins
- Starmer's visit had poor optics and limited substantive gains beyond small tariff reductions and claimed deals.
- Bill Bishop cautions that headline claims of investment often overstate real deliverables.
Embassy Approval Preceded Starmer Visit
- The Chinese made clear there would be no Starmer visit until planning for the new embassy was unlocked.
- Once the U.K. approved the embassy, Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited with a large business delegation.