Links for January 5, 2023

U.S. and Taiwan hold trade talks despite China’s displeasure
U.S. to send trade and economic delegation to Taiwan / FT (paywall)
U.S., Taiwan to hold trade talks in Taipei in defiance of China / Bloomberg (paywall)

China on the defensive after WHO voices concerns about COVID data
China defends COVID transparency after WHO’s call for more data / Bloomberg (paywall)
China defends its COVID response after WHO, Biden concerns / Reuters
WHO says China data underrepresents COVID surge and deaths / Reuters
China has under-represented its number of Covid deaths, says WHO / FT (paywall)
Chinese health official tell it straight on status quo of battle against COVID / Beijing Channel

Sri Lanka resuming trade talks with China and others
Sri Lanka to restart trade deal talks with India, China and Thailand – official / Reuters
“​​Sri Lanka will restart negotiations on trade pacts with India, China and Thailand after a four-year hiatus, an official said on Thursday, as the crisis-hit country races to seal deals to help it rebuild its economy.”