China has not been subtle about stockpiling as much of everything as they can get their hands on over the last year and change.

Their actions are what one would expect to see in advance of a complete collapse in the global supply chain and food supply.
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China hoards over half the world's grain, pushing up global prices

Less than 20% of the world's population has managed to stockpile more than half of the globe's maize and other grains, leading to steep price increases across the planet and dropping more countries into famine.
The hoarding is taking place in China.

COFCO Group, a major Chinese state-owned food processor, runs one of China's largest food stockpiling bases, at the port of Dalian, in the northeastern part of the country. It stores beans and grains gathered from home and abroad in 310 huge silos. From there, the calories make their way throughout China via rail and sea.

China is maintaining its food stockpiles at a "historically high level," Qin Yuyun, head of grain reserves at the National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration, told reporters in November. "Our wheat stockpiles can meet demand for one and a half years. There is no problem whatsoever about the supply of food."

#China

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Datawatch/China-hoards-over-half-the-world-s-grain-pushing-up-global-prices

China announces “We are more than happy to buy Russia’s wheat.” Bear in mind they already have more than half of the world’s stocks, and are now reinforcing their own food security by cozying up to Russia.
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On Thursday, China’s customs agency approved imports of wheat from all regions of Russia, giving Putin an alternative to Western markets that might be closed under possible sanctions.

Russia is one of the world’s biggest wheat producers but has been shut out of China until now due to concern about possible fungus and other contamination.

The two governments announced an agreement Feb. 8 for China to import Russian wheat and barley after Putin became the highest-profile foreign guest to attend the Beijing Winter Olympics.

#Wheat #China #Russia

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-russia-china-beijing-c73b5249d313d661ce1836911b1dbc45

Lots of voices speculating about Xi will move on Taiwan (or not).

I won’t speculate, but I will observe that big funds dumped nearly $2bil of Taiwanese equities yesterday alone. Money talks, and this would seem to speak volumes… we will see.

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Ukraine Invasion Unnerves Global Funds Bracing for Taiwan Risk

The conflict in Ukraine is sparking renewed jitters about tensions between China and Taiwan, and the worries are showing up in the island’s assets.

China’s threats to use military force to stop Taiwan from declaring formal independence have dogged the island’s markets for years, and the standoff in Ukraine provides a snapshot of the risks if tensions escalate. Global funds dumped the equivalent of $1.91 billion of Taiwan stocks on Thursday, the biggest one-day withdrawal in a year.

#taiwan #china

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-25/ukraine-invasion-unnerves-global-funds-bracing-for-taiwan-risk

Just a bit of marine traffic backed up there in Shanghai — get ready for massive supply shock (see previous post)

#SupplyChain #china