China News - 12 April 2021

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International

China considers mixing vaccines to bolster efficacy before top official backtracks. Head of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Gao Fu, told a conference on Saturday that the agency was “considering how to solve the problem that the efficacy of existing vaccines is not high”. He later said his comments had been misinterpreted. Latest trials from Brazil found 50.7 per cent efficacy. FT, BBC, SCMP, 11 April

Hong Kongers heading to Britain under new visa scheme to be offered help with housing and education. More than £40 million in state funding has been allocated to the programme, which will facilitate twelve welcome hubs and access to education, healthcare and jobs. The Telegraph, Gov, 8 April

Beijing condemns UK for granting asylum to Hong Kong activist Nathan Law calling him “criminal suspect wanted by the Hong Kong police”. The Guardian, 9 April

US Senate unveils bipartisan plan to counter global influence of China. The 280-page draft Strategic Competition Act of 2021, drawn up by the Senate foreign relations committee, is a rare bipartisan initiative. The Biden administration also announced a new policy encouraging government ties with Taiwan officials. The Times, Bloomberg, SCMP, 8 April

Former British ambassador Liu Xiaoming takes office as China's representative for Korean Peninsula affairs. CGTN, 12 April

Montenegro calls for EU help over $1bn Chinese highway loan. China holds one-quarter of Montenegro’s debt. FT, 11 April

CGTN welcomes Ofcom's recognition of its right to broadcast in UK under European conventions. FT, CGTN, 11 April

Palau 'would welcome British aircraft carrier' to counter China's reach in Pacific says president. The Telegraph, 12 April

Chinese President Xi Jinping offers condolences to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth after death of Prince Philip. SCMP, 10 April

China watch

Xiplomacy: Xi's remarks on boosting international cooperation in space exploration. Xinhua, 12 April

Xinjiang coalmine accident traps 21 - China state media. They are expected to be rescued. Reuters, BBC, 12 April

China launches hotline for netizens to report 'illegal' history comments as part of crackdown on “historical nihilists”. Reuters, Xi speech (Qiushi) from February on the importance of Party history, 11 April

Economy & tech

Alibaba’s rivals on alert after China’s regulators hand out record $2.8bn fine. Alibaba shares rose sharply on Monday after Alibaba said it marked the end of an antitrust investigation into the company. FT, BBC, 11 April

China’s post-coronavirus consumer spending ‘not enough’ to drive growth, says prominent economist. China should accelerate infrastructure investment this year as consumption is not at a high enough level to drive growth, said Yu Yongding, a senior researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. SCMP, 12 April

Britain's Revolut begins risky expansion into China. The Telegraph, 11 April

Longer reads & opinion

Hong Kong's elites should think about an exit strategy. Minxin Pei on Beijing’s moves to sideline China loyalists within the city's establishment. Nikkei Asia, 2 April

The big bark but small bite of China’s trade coercion in Australia. The total economic impact of China’s trade coercion against Australia has been limited thus far. Lowy Institute, 8 April

How growing conflict with China could impact UK nuclear power. China could regard the postponement or cancellation of the Bradwell project as a breach of contract. Prospect, 11 April

Analysis: Boris Johnson desperately needs a more coherent China strategy. CNN, 8 April

CGTN documentary: 'Harming me and my future': How Brexit is crushing UK pensioners' dreams of retiring abroad. CGTN, 6 April