China News - 11 September 2020
International
China's expanded export controls pose fresh challenge to global tech industry. Beijing's recent announcement that the export of key technologies will require regulatory approval has raised the prospect of further split-offs in the global tech industry. Analysts report that the new laws may have a widespread effect on any multi-national company with R&D operations in China, including Tencent and Microsoft. The new list of ‘partially restricted exports’ includes drones, voice recognition software and recommendation algorithms. Reuters, FT, 11 September
China and India agree to ‘disengage troops’ in Himalayas. The Indian and Chinese foreign ministers swiftly announced an agreement today in Moscow, only days after the two countries accused each other of opening fire. Analysts see this as a meaningful step towards de-escalation, but troops at the border are still only hundreds of metres apart. BBC, FT, 11 September
China bars media coverage of Disney's 'Mulan' after Xinjiang backlash, according to Reuters. Chinese authorities have banned major Chinese media outlets from covering Mulan’s release. While no official reason was given for the notice, it is believed to be a result of international controversy over Xinjiang. Reuters, 10 September
Microsoft: Hackers linked to Russia, China and Iran are targeting Biden and Trump camps. Microsoft took the unusual step of announcing attempted foreign interference in the US election, with Chinese hackers linked to cyberattacks on the Biden campaign. Politico, Microsoft, 10 September
Human rights groups ask IOC to move Olympics from China. AP, The Diplomat, 10 September
Taiwan president visits air defence battery as China tensions rise. Reuters, 11 September
Hong Kong police hold 15 people over Next Digital share price manipulation. The Guardian, 10 September
Pompeo tells Southeast Asia to stand up to China, shun its firms. Reuters, 11 September
Economy & tech
Huawei, world’s biggest smartphone maker, prepares to switch all phones from Google’s Android to proprietary OS. Inkstone, 11 September
Top China memory chipmaker struggles to wean itself off US. Bloomberg, 10 September
Yum China shares drop as much as 6.3% on Hong Kong debut. Reuters, FT, 11 September
Chinese food delivery platforms in domestic controversy after investigation finds dangerous working conditions. Pandaily, 10 September
China’s tech and finance groups flock to Singapore. FT, 10 September
Longer reads & opinion
How Germany opened the door to China — and threw away the key. Politico, 10 September
The new China consensus: How Europe is growing wary of Beijing. European Council on Foreign Relations, 10 September
What’s Biden’s new China policy? It looks a lot like Trump’s. WSJ, 10 September
Long read: In defense of diplomacy with China. ChinaFile, 10 September
Wall Street brushes off political tensions to dig deeper into China. FT, 10 September
China’s Communist Party is splurging on new local drop-in centres. The Economist, 11 September
Parliamentary adjournment debate: Detention of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. Shabana Mahmood MP, 9 September