China News - 1 April 2021
International
Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai among seven activists found guilty over protests. Seven of Hong Kong's most prominent pro-democracy campaigners have been convicted of unlawful assembly relating to huge demonstrations two years ago. BBC, The Guardian, NYT, 1 April
Biden administration maintains Trump policy on Hong Kong. Hong Kong does not warrant special US status since Beijing has slashed its autonomy, Antony Blinken has reaffirmed. SCMP, FT, 1 April
Hope beckons for Huawei as UK’s Arm says latest chip not subject to US export controls. Arm’s new Armv9 chip architecture does not fall under US export regulations, clearing the way for the UK chip designer to sell to blacklisted Chinese telecoms giant Huawei Technologies, the firm said on Wednesday. Caixin, 31 March
British citizens routinely being placed on Chinese police watchlist. A Telegraph investigation has traced more than a hundred British citizens who travelled to Shanghai for business or leisure and whose details, including dates of birth and passport number. The Telegraph, 1 April
China manoeuvres near Taiwan fuel concerns of potential attack. Taiwan and Japan on Monday both reported incursions into their respective air defence identification zones, the first simultaneous announcement from Taipei and Tokyo. FT, 1 April
China says it will stand with Middle East against foreign interference. It has also offered to host a security forum to help relaunch the collapsed Iran nuclear deal. SCMP, 31 March
US, Philippines officials discuss Chinese activities in South China Sea. Reuters, 31 March
China watch
China to take new steps to further transform gov't functions, invigorate market entities. "While stabilizing full-time employment, we must attach great importance to flexible employment, which holds broad prospects," Li said. Xinhua, 31 March
China and Singapore seek to boost travel links with discussion of mutual health certificates. CGTN, 1 April
‘Xinjiang cotton is my love’: designers and models put patriotism on show at China Fashion Week. SCMP, 1 April
Economy & tech
Chinese millionaires using 'buyers' clubs' for prime London property. By buying residential developments in lots of six, they qualify for commercial rates of stamp duty. The Telegraph, 1 April
Electric car targets at risk as UK falls behind in global race for key battery metals, experts warn. The Telegraph, 1 April
Boeing urges US to keep human rights and other disputes separate from China trade relations. Reuters, 1 April
Longer reads & opinion
We are living in a world made by Xi Jinping – and Britain is desperate to find its place in it. China’s new industrial strategy has proved as much of a shock to British politics as Brexit and the triumph of the SNP. Helen Thompson in the New Statesman, 25 March
To improve China’s image globally, welcome foreigners and let them be bridges to the West. International media reports that provide a detailed and diverse view of China will be better received abroad than Chinese government statements. SCMP, 1 April
Who’s Coming to Huawei’s Support? Its Biggest European Competitor, Ericsson. WSJ, 31 March
Revealed: the Cambridge-China Pact. A look at the University of Cambridge’s links to the CCP. TCS, 13 February
This newsletter will return on Monday 12 April after recess.