Showing posts with label #EU. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #EU. Show all posts

Democracy Unshielded - China's Growing Reach in Irish Politics

 In this episode of Perspectives with Neilo, we investigate China’s growing political influence in Ireland and the recent meetings between Irish elected officials and members of the Chinese Communist Party. These engagements come at the very moment Ireland’s national cyber-security authority warns of state-aligned threat actors— including those linked to China and Russia—targeting Irish infrastructure, public institutions, and democratic processes.

We examine who attended these meetings, why they matter, and how they align with the EU’s newly announced European Democracy Shield, designed to counter foreign interference from authoritarian regimes.

In this episode, we dig into China’s growing reach in Irish politics and the uncomfortable question at the centre of it all: Is Ireland leaving its democracy unshielded?

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in Irish politics, democracy, foreign interference, China’s global strategy, and the future of European security.


Date of Recording: December 2nd, 2025






A constructed picture with Leinster House in the background shows Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection stands behind a European Democracy Shield (left) while on his right, People's Republic of China leader Xi Jinping looks on.
Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection (Left) and Xi Jinping leader of the People's Republic of China (Right)


DIVE DEEPER


Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:


  • World Press Freedom Index - Wiki
  • Xuexi Qiangguo - Wiki

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Credits:
Audio transition: Sound Soul (This Logo Reveal) by Diamond_Tunes via Pixabay
Clip of Deputy Alan Kelly's speech at the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Nov 19th, 2025 provided courtesy of the Houses of the Oireachtas. © Houses of the Oireachtas, 2025
Clip of Comissioner Michael McGrath’s speech on the EU Democracy Shield provided courtesy of the European Parliament Multimedia Centre. © European Union, 2025 – Source: EP.


#Ireland, #IrishPolitics, #Democracy, #Geopolitics, #ForeignPolicy, #China, #CCP, #ChinaInfluence, #Hybridthreats, #Cybersecurity, #EU, #NationalSecurity, #Podcast, #PodcastEpisode


Too Afraid to Trade ? Ireland's Caution on Taiwan

Authoritarian regimes have become more effective at co-opting or circumventing the norms and institutions established to support basic liberties, and at subsidizing others who wish to do the same. They have succeeded in shifting global incentives, jeopardizing the consensus that democracy is the only viable path to prosperity and security, while encouraging more totalitarian approaches to governance.


In particular, the regimes of China and Russia have gained enormous power in the international system, and freer countries have seen their established norms challenged and fractured. Many international organizations including Freedom House say the current state of global freedom should raise alarm among all who value their own rights and those of their fellow human beings. 


One of the countries on the very frontline in this fight to maintain freedom and democracy is Taiwan. 


Located just 150km off the coast of China in the Western Pacific, Taiwan has been a democracy since the 1990s. In fact it is frequently referred to as a beacon of democracy in Asia and ranks just as high as many European countries in democracy indices.


Taiwan faces cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns and every shade of grey warfare you can imagine on a daily basis. The source of these attacks is the People's Republic of China (PRC) which is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party or CCP.  They claim Taiwan as their sovereign territory and seek to annex it, but have never occupied or controlled Taiwan for even a second in their entire existence.


The CCP have for years tried to weaken international support for Taiwan to further isolate the country, coercing its diplomatic allies and trading partners as well as interfering in international organizations to block Taiwan’s membership. 


Thankfully the EU’s engagements with Taiwan have remained relatively strong and although the EU and Taiwan do not have diplomatic relations, trade and cultural links are very active. 


The EU considers Taiwan a reliable and valued like-minded partner in Asia and is Taiwan's largest foreign investor and third largest trading partner. Bilateral trade in goods runs at around 50 billion Euros annually and the EU operates a Trade Office in Taipei along with 17 EU member states.

As Ireland prepares to assume the presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2026, questions are emerging about Dublin’s cautious approach to Taiwan. Why does Ireland remain an outlier among EU member states in its engagement with Taipei — and to what extent does China’s influence in Ireland and fear of offending China shape this stance?

In this episode of Perspectives with Neilo, we speak with John McGuinness, Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow–Kilkenny, Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, and Chairman of the Ireland–Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association. He joins us to discuss Ireland’s evolving relationship with Taiwan and his recent visit to the island.

Deputy McGuinness shares insights from his meeting with President William Lai (賴清德), who welcomed Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy and suggested that Taiwan and Ireland could deepen cooperation in this strategically important sector. We also explore other areas of potential partnership — from trade and agri-food exports to education and innovation — and ask whether Ireland is missing valuable opportunities by keeping its distance, particularly at a time when many countries in the world are diversifying trade links.

Finally, we discuss Micheál Martin’s leadership of Fianna Fáil, examining how his top-down style may be influencing government policy on Taiwan. And we look at how the Ireland–Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association is working to raise awareness of Beijing’s ongoing efforts to isolate Taiwan — despite unwarranted objections from the Chinese Communist Party.

Date of Recording: November 7th, 2025




President of Taiwan, William Lai (賴清德) meets with Deputy Speaker John McGuinness TD, leader of a cross-party delegation from Ireland's parliament in Taipei on July 22nd, 2025. 
[Photo courtesy of Office of the President, Republic of China, Taiwan]


DIVE DEEPER

Additional Information on the topics covered in this episode:

  • European Economic Trade Office in Taiwan - website


Podcasts you might also like


#Ireland, #Taiwan, #China, #EU, #ForeignPolicy, #Trade, #Semiconductors, #IrelandTaiwanRelations, #IrelandChinaRelations, #EUForeignPolicy, #ChipStrategy, #IrelandPolitics, #JohnMcGuinness, #WilliamLai, #Geopolitics, #internationalrelations, #GlobalEconomy, #podcast, #politicalpodcast

EU-China Trade Tensions - Interview with Finbarr Bermingham

The European Union’s trade deficit with China has doubled over the past decade, fueling growing frustration in Brussels over what officials describe as a flood of low-cost Chinese products into the EU. 


Beijing’s continued support for Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is also a major sticking point. The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas called China the “key enabler” of Putin’s war and urged Beijing to halt its support to Russia’s military-industrial base. In response, China has indicated that it does not want to see Russia lose the war.

It was not surprising then that a summit in Beijing between top EU and Chinese leaders at the end of July produced few tangible results.

 

Just ahead of the summit, I spoke with Finbarr Bermingham (X:@fbermingham), Europe Correspondent for the South China Morning Post, to explore what’s really driving the tensions in EU–China trade. We discussed the growing trade imbalance and how China’s rare earth export controls and unwavering support for Russia are reshaping the relationship.


Date of Recording: July 18th, 2025.




Picture shows Chinese President Xi Jinping on the left with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the right. Both leaders pictures are in black and white set against the background of their regions flags which are in colour. Listen to Perspectives at www.pwneilo.com
Chinese leader, Xi Jinping (L) and
EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen (R)


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Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:


    Podcasts You Might Also Like:


    #ChinaEU, #TradeTensions, #GeopoliticsPodcast, #Geopolitics, #RareEarths, #UkraineWar, #EUForeignPolicy, #ChinaRussia, #EUChinaSummit, #IPI, #FSR, #ForeignSubsidiesRegulation, #EU-ChinaNews, #rareearthminerals, #rareearthmineralschina


    Friends of Steel

    May 9th marked the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Russia also celebrated their version of Victory Day - an event steeped in national pride and symbolism - with a military parade in Red Square in front of an audience which included 29 visiting world leaders.

    As U.S. President Donald Trump seeks a deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine, the U.S. and Europe were watching closely to see if President Putin would offer a different message this year after resisting White House efforts to secure a ceasefire so far.

    In this episode of Perspectives with Neilo, we explore Russia's recent Victory Day celebrations. We review the increased attendance of foreign leaders at this year's military parade in Moscow as well as key moments from President Putin's speech.

    We also examine the growing alignment between China and Russia, including Xi Jinping's attempt to connect the Victory Day commemoration to what he calls "the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's return" to China.

    And finally, we unpack how this year's events are being interpreted across Europe and beyond, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine and increasing international calls for a ceasefire.

    Date of Recording: May 12th, 2025




    Guest of honor, Chinese leader Xi seated on the left with his host, Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the right oversee the Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9th. A Chinese interpreter leans in from behind to help with communication.
    Russian leader Vladimir Putin and guest of honor, Chinese leader Xi Jinping oversee the Victory Day parade in Red Square, Moscow on May 9th.


    DIVE DEEPER:

    Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:

    • EU High Representative Kaja Kallas' statement in Lviv, Ukraine - EU Debates via YouTube (May 9th, 2025)


    You might also like:


    Music Credits

    Title music: Uplifting by Plastic3 used under license 


    Audio transition: Sound Soul (This Logo Reveal) by Diamond_Tunes via Pixabay


    #geopolitics, #china,  #CCP,  #Taiwan, #VictoryDay2025, #RussiaParade, #PutinSpeech, #RussiaChinaRelations, #UkraineWar, #WorldPolitics, #XiJinping, #TaiwanTensions, #DonaldTrump, #CeasefireCalls, #MoscowParade, #EUResponse, #InternationalRelations, #GlobalSecurity, #ColdWarEchoes, #AuthoritarianAlliance, #RedSquare2025, #MilitaryParade, #Podcast, #CurrentAffairsPodcast, #PoliticalPodcast, #GlobalNewsPodcast


    2024 PwNeilo Wrapped!

     In this special holiday episode, we're taking a look back at a sample of the 25 Perspectives with Neilo episodes we released in 2024!

    Our goal has always been to raise awareness and spotlight underreported issues. In 2024, we continued this mission.

    We covered elections on the front lines of democracy and also in places where perhaps voters have become a little more complacent. We've reported on the Indo Pacific where the gray zone tactics of an authoritarian regime are a daily occurrence, to the Baltic Sea where hybrid warfare is increasing in frequency. 

    We've talked to experts, academics and people on the street to hear their perspectives on how authoritarian regimes are using disinformation campaigns to sow discord and erode trust, how they are using economic coercion to apply pressure, and how they are flouting international norms and undermining democratic institutions to reshape the global landscape in their favor.

    And no country is immune!


    Date of Recording: December 21st, 2024.


    In this 2024 Perspectives with Neilo Wrapped!, we rewind and revisit four episodes from earlier in the year, exploring a recurring theme that connects them. 

    In our first podcast back in January, we chatted with acclaimed journalist on contemporary China, Bethany Allen. We talked to her about her book "Beijing Rules" in which she discusses China's Authoritarian Economic Statecraft. In this revisit, we hear how the Chinese Communist Party has highly politicized the area of sister city twinning and the role of Confucius Institutes.

    The topic of Confucius Institutes also came up in our second interview with Alexander Dukalskis, Associate Professor in the School of Politics and International Relations at University College Dublin (UCD). Professor Dukalskis is the author of "Making the World Safe for Dictatorship" and he shared his thoughts on why he thinks Ireland needs to invest in "serious independent expertise" on China. We called this episode, Ireland's Knowledge Deficit on China. We also talked about Ireland's position on Taiwan and Leo Varadkar's controversial comments after the Chinese Premier's visit to Ireland last January.

    Taoiseach Varadkar's comments on Taiwan back in January not only caught the attention of academics and the media, they also raised concern among Irish people living in Taiwan. Fr Sean O'Leary is an Irish missionary priest who has been living in Taiwan for two decades and I talked to him about his letter to the Irish Times in the podcast episode, The Shepherd of Dongshih.  

    The subject of Taiwan and in particular, why Ireland does not have a trade office in Taiwan, unlike many of our EU counterparts, also came up in an interview with Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher when we spoke to him during his EU re-election campaign back in May. Billy shared his thoughts and insights with us.

    I hope you enjoy this brief look back at some of the topics we covered in 2024. A big thank you to all my guests - MEP Billy Kelleher, Fr. Sean O'Leary, Professor Alexander Dukalskis and Bethany Allen. Indeed, a big thank you to all the guests who appeared on Perspectives with Neilo throughout 2024 - it would not have been possible without you!

    Many thanks also to all our listeners - especially those of you who have subscribed or followed us on any of the podcast platforms!  Your support is what keeps us going. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a Very Happy and Peaceful Christmas. We look forward to chatting with you again in the new year.

    Picture of our 4 guests on the holiday episode of Perspectives with Neilo - namely Bethany Allen, author and journalist, Fr Sean O'Leary, Parish Priest, Holy Family Church, Dongshih, Taichung, Billy Kelleher, MEP and Professor Alexander Dukalskis, UCD. You can listen to the podcast at www.pwneilo.com
    Our guests on 2024 PwNeilo Wrapped! (from top left, clockwise): Bethany Allen author and journalist, Fr Sean O'Leary, Holy Family Church, Dongshih, Taichung, Billy Kelleher MEP, Professor Alexander Dukalskis, UCD.


    DIVE DEEPER:

    Hear the full-length versions of all four episodes and dive deeper into the background of each interview on the following blog pages:



    Outro Music: Christmas Holidays_Medium by Grand_Project via Pixabay

    #Taiwan, #Taichung, #TaiwaneseIdentity, #Ireland, #DefendingDemocracy, #OneChina, #LeoVaradkar, #Vatican, #CatholicChurch, #ShepherdofDongshih #TaiwanIreland, #TaipeiIreland, #FiannaFail, #MEP, #EU2024, #EUElection, #EEAS, #CCP, #China, #ConfuciusInstitutes, #DefendDemocracy, #HumanRights, #Huawei, #Tiktok, #Zoom, #Prague, #Shanghai, #SisterCity, #SisterCityTwinning, #CPAFFC, #UnitedFront, #UnitedFrontWorkDepartment 

    Cable Sabotage in the Baltic

     Two subsea cables, one linking Finland and Germany and the other connecting Sweden and Lithuania were damaged in less then 24 hours on November 17th and 18th, prompting German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to say he assumed it was sabotage!

    The suspected culprit is a Chinese registered bulk carrier - the Yi Peng 3 - which was traveling through the area after departing the Russian port of Ust Liga, West of St. Petersburg on November 15th. 

    Reuters news agency have quoted Western intelligence officials from multiple countries as saying that they are confident the Chinese ship caused the cuts to both cables, but they have expressed different views on whether these were accidents or could have been deliberate.

    This is not the first time a Chinese vessel has been suspected of damaging subsea infrastructure in this region and it raises concerns of a wider pattern of hybrid warfare. 

    My guest in this episode is Eoin McNamara (@McNamara_Eoin) who is a Research Fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs in Helsinki. I spoke to him about recent events, the reactions in the region and the implications for countries like Ireland and the broader EU.



    Date of Recording: December 3rd, 2024.


    Main picture shows the Chinese ship accused of cutting cables in the Baltic Sea. Insets show (1) alleged patents for anchor like cable cutting devices and (2)map of the 2 cables that were cut in the Baltic. Listen to the podcast at www.pwneilo.com
    Chinese bulk carrier Yi Peng 3, suspected of involvement in cable severing in the Baltic,
    Insert top: Alleged Chinese patents for anchor like cable cutting devices.
    Insert bottom: Map showing the two cut cables in the Baltic Sea.


    DIVE DEEPER:

    Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:


    You might also like:


    Image Credits:
    Podcast thumbnail: stablediffusionweb.com
    Main image (above): Mikkel Berg Pedersen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP

    #China, #YiPeng3, #Baltic, #BalticSea, #Cablesabotage, #EU, #Ireland, #Russia, #Greyzone, #Grayzone, #FIIA, #newnewpolarbear

    2024 Data Centres Ireland Report

    Data Centres contribute significantly to Ireland's GDP. The Irish data centre market amounted to over 3 Billion Euros of investment in 2023 with key opportunities to capitalize on future growth being driven by the AI revolution. However, its a competitive industry and while Ireland may have once been the EU pioneer of data centres, planning hurdles and electricity supply issues are forcing global technology companies to reconsider Ireland's role as a data centre hub.

    In this episode, we report from the Data Centres Ireland Conference which took place at the RDS in Dublin in mid November. This was the 14th year of the event and it featured over 70 leaders and experts as well as 120 exhibitors showcasing the latest in data centre technology products, services and information.

    The Data Centres Ireland Conference is the seminal meeting point for the industry each year and this year's topics included - the challenges facing the future of the data centre industry in Ireland, the role of renewables and energy storage, infrastructure technology trends and the impact of new EU sustainability regulations.

    I am grateful to the following industry leaders and experts who graciously shared their insights with us.


    Listen here or by searching for Perspectives with Neilo wherever you get your podcasts.



    Date of Recording: November 20th & 21st, 2024



    Main picture of panel discussion (moderator and 4 guests) on stage at the Data Centres Ireland Conference in Dublin in November, 2024. Inset picture of exhibition floor at the RDS. Listen to our podcast at www.pwneilo.com
    Panel Discussion on The Evolving PR Image of Data Centres at the Data Centres Ireland Conference, RDS, Dublin, November 20 - 21, 2024.
    Inset picture, exhibition floor. 




    DIVE DEEPER:

    Additional information on the topics discussed in this episode:



    #Ireland, #datacenter, #datacenters, #AI, #renewables, #windpower, #solar, #netzero, #EUgreendeal, #energystorage, #energystorageireland, #datacentresireland, #EU, #EED, #CSRD, #IDA, #sustainability

    Subsidy Showdown - EU Tariffs on Chinese EVs

     Earlier in June, following months of investigation, the European Commission announced new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in response to massive state subsidies in the forms of research and development grants, sales tax exemptions and supply chain support being provided to Chinese EV makers by Beijing.

    A recent investigation by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank revealed that between 2009 and 2023, the Chinese government is conservatively estimated to have spent over $230 billion US dollars on financial support for its EV makers. This excludes supply chain support, one example of which indicates close to one billion US dollars were supplied to battery giant CATL alone, which last year supplied over 36 per cent  of battery packs in new EVs globally.

    Although countries such as the US and Turkey have already introduced tariffs on Chinese EVs, support among EU states for this move has been divided.

    The EU's provisional duties (which have been revised slightly since our interview) are set to apply by July 4th, 2024, with the investigation set to continue until November 2nd when finalized duties could be imposed for up to five years.

    In this episode, we welcome back Swedish journalist Jojje Olsson (@jojjeols) who shares his insights on the EV tariffs and the reactions within the EU. We discuss how Beijing is already finding ways to circumvent the tariffs, and we also examine how China's ongoing support for Russia in the Ukraine war is impacting EU decision making, and much more.

    Date of Recording: June 18th, 2024.




    Picture of car transporter ship leaving port after unloading cargo cars all parked on the dock
    Car Transporter leaves port after offloading its cargo on the dock

    Photo Credit: CleanTechnica


    DIVE DEEPER:

    Additional information on the topics covered in this episode:

    • Views of China - Laura Silver, Christine Huang and Laura Clancy, Pew Research Center (July 27th, 2023)

    #EVs, #ElectricVehicle, #Tariff, #EU, #CCP, #ChinaSubsidies, #EUTariff, #ChineseEV, #BYD, #SAIC, #Tesla

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