Taiwan | Chinese accuse McDonald’s of supporting island independence

Chinese nationalists are accusing a McDonald’s advertisement in Taiwan of supporting independence for the self-ruled island. The advertisement for a breakfast sandwich, broadcast only in Taiwan, shows a two-second glimpse of a woman’s identity card that lists her nationality as “Taiwan.” Comments on internet bulletin boards yesterday accused McDonald’s of violating Chinese law by supporting independence for Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory. Some called for a boycott of the restaurant chain. Others said McDonald’s, whose mainland franchises are owned by a group that includes the Chinese Cabinet’s investment arm, should be expelled from China. “McDonald’s this is what you want to do? Help Taiwan independence?” said a posting on the Sina.com portal signed “Good Knife Still.” Phone calls to McDonald’s China headquarters were not answered.

Belt & Road | Cambodia’s Hun Sen meets Xi Jinping on Beijing visit

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing that reinforces ties between China and its closest ally in Southeast Asia. Hun Sen also is to meet Premier Li Keqiang and other leaders during his four-day visit, which started yesterday. Cambodia has grown increasingly close to China in recent years as Hun Sen’s government has become estranged from the United States, which is critical of his long-running authoritarian rule. China is Cambodia’s most important political and economic ally, providing millions of dollars in aid and investment, writing off debts and granting the country tariff-free status for hundreds of items. Cambodia in turn has done Beijing’s diplomatic bidding in the region, especially regarding China’s claims to most of the South China Sea.

Business as usual | Trump granted five trademarks amid trade talks

The Chinese government has granted Ivanka Trump’s company preliminary approval for another five trademarks this month, as her father’s administration pushes ahead on trade negotiations with China. Four trademarks, including child care centers, sunglasses and wedding dresses, were approved on Sunday. A fifth, covering brokerage, charitable fundraising and art valuation services, was approved on Jan.6, according to online trademark office records. The applications were filed in 2016 and 2017. If no one objects, they will be finalized after 90 days. Ivanka Trump’s expanding intellectual property holdings have long raised ethical concerns, particularly in China, where the courts and bureaucracy tend to reflect the will of the ruling Communist Party. Ivanka Trump’s lawyers in China did not respond immediately to a request for comment.