China News - 12 January 2021
International
China plans further Hong Kong crackdown after mass arrest. Reuters reports that Chinese officials are now discussing ways to change the electoral system to address “deficiencies” in the political structure, he said, and elections might be further delayed. The Chinese official said Beijing remained concerned the opposition could still muster a majority in the legislature should the polls go ahead, given a lingering groundswell of public support. Reuters, 12 January
Britain tightening laws on imports linked to Chinese human rights abuses. Dominic Raab will make a statement on the Government’s response to forced labour in Xinjiang today in the House of Commons. He is set to announce tightened Modern Slavery Act rules and new import restrictions. The Telegraph, SCMP, 11 January
Today in Parliament:
12:30pm: Foreign Minister Dominic Raab gives update on the Government's response to forced labour in Xinjiang.
2:30pm: Foreign Affairs Committee hears evidence for its inquiry into Xinjiang detention camps.
WHO's Covid mission to Wuhan set to arrive in China on Thursday. A team of scientists dispatched by the World Health Organization to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan will arrive in China on Thursday. 'It's not about finding China guilty,’ said Prof Fabian Leendertz. The Guardian, Fortune, 12 January
UK risks China spat with Boris Johnson attack on ‘demented’ medicine. The practice of using scales from the endangered pangolin to aid virility is “demented,” Johnson said at a meeting of world leaders focused on protecting nature on Monday. Bloomberg, 12 January
Trump seeks scrutiny of Chinese funding at U.S. schools, seeking to force colleges and K-12 schools to disclose partnerships with Chinese-funded groups. Axios, 11 January
China pulls 10,000 troops from India border, source says, seeing little prospect of a conflict in the Himalayan area over winter. SCMP, 12 January
China watch
President Xi Jinping has congratulated North Korea leader Kim Jong Un on being elected as general secretary of the ruling Workers’ Party. Reuters, 11 January
China makes new laws to regulate hi-tech sector a major priority for next five years as digital economy matures. SCMP, 12 January
Over 1 million get COVID-19 vaccine in Beijing. Xinhua, 11 January
Economy & tech
Aberdeen firm Wood secures $120 million contract with Sinopec for ethylene expansion in China. Insider, 12 January
Chinese nuclear firm told it must resolve Bradwell safety issues by UK Environmental Agency before itsdesign is approved. The Guardian, 11 January
Pinduoduo fires worker for ‘malicious’ comments as work culture scrutiny continues. Sixth Tone, 12 January
Longer reads & opinion
Long read: 'Our souls are dead': how I survived a Chinese 're-education' camp for Uighurs. Gulbahar Haitiwaji was locked up for two years in a camp. The Guardian, 12 January
Jack Ma vs Xi Jinping: the future of private business in China. FT, 12 January
New Chatham House report: Brexit UK should aim to be a global broker, not a great power. Chatham House, The Guardian, 11 January
Opinion: China breaks decades of climate gridlock by overturning the principle that the West must decarbonise before developing countries. Foreign Policy, 12 January