China News - 2 December 2021
International
WTA suspends tennis tournaments in China over Peng Shuai case. WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon expressed concern about the risks that all players and staff could face if events were held in China in 2022 and said that he remains hopeful that the Chinese authorities will take steps to provide verifiable proof that Peng is free and able to speak without interference or intimidation. Sky Sports, The Telegraph, 1 December
Japan’s former PM warns China invading Taiwan would be an ‘emergency’ for Tokyo. Abe also expressed support for Taiwan’s application to join the CPTPP, a free-trade agreement of which Japan is the senior member and which China has also applied to join. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said China had protested to Japan through diplomatic channels. The Times, FT, Independent, 1 December
Young Hongkongers drawn to UK under British National (Overseas) visa scheme. In the first large-scale survey of Hongkongers’ future intentions since Beijing’s security crackdown, Oxford University’s Migration Observatory found that half of those considering relocating to the UK were born in the 1980s or 1990s. The UK was the most preferred option among departing Hongkongers, with a third of those keen on leaving placing it as their top destination. The Times, 2 December
US and EU set to discuss joint approach to China. US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and the secretary general of the European External Action Service, Stefano Sannino, will discuss a range of China-related issues during the second session of the US-EU China Dialogue. The talks will touch on potential areas of cooperation with China, with the underlying belief among both parties being that the combined weight of the US and EU will be hard for Beijing to ignore. Bloomberg, 1 December
Nike, Patagonia, C&A named in Dutch criminal filing on Chinese forced labour in Xinjiang. The filing by the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) argued that the companies’ use of Chinese suppliers frequently accused of using forced labour breached Dutch law. It is the third such filing in Europe made by the ECCHR, after complaints in France and Germany. SCMP, 2 December
Facebook uncovers Chinese network behind fake expert. Facebook owner Meta Platforms has removed more than 500 accounts that had promoted the claims of a fake Swiss biologist, who alleged the US was meddling in efforts to find the origins of Covid-19. The company said that its investigation found “links to individuals associated with Chinese state infrastructure companies based around the world.” BBC, 2 December
Laos to open Chinese-built railway amid fears of Beijing’s influence. Laos will open a $6bn Chinese-built railway on Friday, which analysts warn could expose the south-east Asian country to financial risk or political coercion from Beijing. The railway’s construction costs were equivalent to almost a third of Laos’ GDP. FT, 2 December
China’s test of hypersonic weapon raised Indo-Pacific regional tensions, says US defence chief. FT, Politico, 2 December
Australia to face pressure to use new Magnitsky-style laws against Myanmar and Chinese officials. The Guardian, 2 December
China calls on citizens to leave eastern Congo after attacks. Independent, 1 December
Economy & tech
Beijing warns China-linked US businesses: you cannot ‘make a fortune in silence’. Vice-foreign minister Xie Feng told key business groups to “speak out” and lobby the US government in China’s defence, warning that as bilateral relations deteriorate they cannot make money “in silence”. The Guardian, 2 December
China to close loophole used to by tech firms for foreign IPOs. Beijing will ban companies from going public overseas through variable interest entities, closing a loophole used by tech firms to raise capital from overseas investors. The ban is intended to address concerns over data security and may be finalised this month. Bloomberg, 1 December
China’s ‘state-centric approach’ to technical standards-setting worries EU firms. A European Union Chamber of Commerce in China report said China’s ‘state-centric approach’ to standards will add to risks due to increased politicisation and potential decoupling. SCMP, 2 December
UK economy to outpace rest of G7 as OECD warns on China's zero-Covid policy. China’s growth forecasts were downgraded significantly by the OECD on Wednesday, which predicted growth of 8.1% this year, down from the previous 8.5% forecast. The Telegraph, 1 December
Vice-Premier Liu He: China on track to beat its GDP growth target this year. SCMP, 1 December
China’s plan to end its Australian iron ore dependency. China will boost domestic iron ore production by 30%, significantly ramp up investments in overseas mines and strengthen scrap steel recycling. AFR, 2 December
Canada Goose draws fresh fire in China for return policies. Reuters, 2 December
China focus
China launches campaign to get 85% of citizens speaking Mandarin by 2025. The order, issued on Wednesday by the State Council, threatens regional dialects - such as Cantonese and Hokkien - as well as those spoken by ethnic minorities. Sky News, 1 December
China’s carbon trading exchange struggles with unclear policies as it eyes expansion. The Emissions Trading System, which currently only allows power companies to trade carbon allowances, is poised to expand to allow financial institutions to participate. SCMP, 2 December
Hong Kong public broadcaster to ‘pause’ social media pages of 12 shows, including axed political satire show Headliner. HKFP, 2 December
Advocacy groups use live streaming to raise HIV/AIDS awareness. Sixth Tone, 1 December.
Opinion & editorial
The West’s allies are falling like dominoes. China and Russia are each using very different tactics to peel away countries that used to be our friends. Con Coughlin. The Telegraph, 2 December
The EU's 'global gateway' - an answer to China, or a dead-end? Jonathan Holslag. EUobserver, 1 December
China’s environmental threat to Antarctica. Beijing appears intent on exploiting the continent militarily and commercially. Alexander B. Gray. WSJ, 1 December
China’s rising vulnerability to foreign investors. Increased holdings of Chinese assets has conferred new power over the economy. Russell Napier. FT, 2 December
Long reads
How China is reclaiming history. America sees the Second World War as its “good war” when it defeated totalitarianism and won the right to global leadership. Now, China is writing itself into the story. David Reynolds. The New Statesman, 1 December
‘China Day’ in New York: a case study in United Front work. How United Front organisations worked to advance the CCP’s political agenda. Flora Yan. The Diplomat, 1 December
The Biden administration is right to include Taiwan in the Summit for Democracy. Richard C. Bush and Ryan Hass. Brookings, 1 December