China News - 12 December

International

David Cameron urged to tell China to free Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai. Lai’s son, Sebastien, has asked for a meeting with the Foreign Secretary as he believes a call by Cameron for his father’s release would send a clear message to Beijing. Adam Luck. The Guardian, 10 December

Beijing and Brussels are both waiting for Trump. The EU-China relationship has turned into one of mutual suspicion. Alan Beattie. Financial Times, 11 December

As Xi visits, China offers rail grants to Vietnam and pushes Digital Silk Road. In a move that brings Hanoi closer to Beijing, the countries are set to agree on upgraded rail links and other infrastructure (possibly including digital projects) this week. Francesco Guarascio and Khanh Vu. Reuters, 11 December

Philippines summons China ambassador after South China Sea confrontations. The Philippines have said it was considering the possibility of expulsion following the confrontations with Chinese ships. Al Jazeera, 11 December

Economy & Tech

Singapore’s Shein holds talks with LSE on possible listing. Shein’s chairman, Donal Tang, held talks with the London Stock Exchange about the possibility of a public listing in the UK. Manya Saini. Reuters, 11 December

Huawei to start building first European factory in France next year. Delayed as a result of Covid, Huawei will start building its first European mobile phone network equipment factory next year. Supantha Mukherjee. Reuters, 11 December

For China’s bargain-loving oil refiners, the great Venezuela trade is on pause. China’s independent refiners have benefited from cheap Venezuelan oil for years, but now there is competition. Sharon Cho. Bloomberg, 11 December

Opinion & long-reads

China’s failed charm campaign. The world is falling out of love with pouring investments into China. Rana Foroohar. Financial Times, 11 December

China’s BRI rightly offers charity-free development. The BRI offers a more respectful way of dealing with countries, as it treats their people as customers and business partners. Michael Edesess. South China Morning Post, 7 December

Gao Yaojie: Dissident doctor who exposed Aids epidemic in rural China dies at 95. The Aids activists died of natural causes in New York, where she had been living in exile since 2009. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar. The Independent, 11 December