China News - 13 July 2021
International
Biden to warn US companies of risk of operating in Hong Kong. The US President will warn companies of the risks associated with the Chinese government gaining access to data that foreign companies store in Hong Kong and a new law that allows Beijing to impose sanctions against anyone that enables foreign penalties to be implemented against Chinese groups and officials. FT, 13 July
China threat tempers Taiwan’s welcome of Hong Kong exiles. Taipei is wary of provoking Beijing and fears mainland agents infiltrated the protest movement. FT, 11 July
‘Growing risks’: Hong Kong pro-democracy group scales down. One of Hong Kong’s most established pro-democracy civic organisations has said it is letting go its paid staff and halving the size of its steering committee after Beijing stepped up its crackdown on opposition activity. The Guardian, 11 July
UK sold off $42billion of semiconductor firms before review. According to data compiled by Bloomberg, semiconductor companies valued at about $42 billion have been sold to foreign buyers since May 2010. One of the last of those assets, Newport Wafer Fab, is being snapped up by a Chinese manufacturer, despite reports that the Welsh government tried to save the chipmaker from the takeover. Bloomberg, The Telegraph, 11 July
British-branded schools in China forced to teach Beijing curriculum in bid to ensure ‘right’ thinking. Private schools must “uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China,” according to the new regulations. British-branded schools will only have to follow this Beijing-approved curriculum if they’re teaching Chinese education. The Telegraph, 10 July
China tightens rules on foreign IPOs in new blow to tech firms. Companies holding data on more than 1 million users must now apply for cybersecurity approval when seeking listings abroad. Bloomberg, CNBC, Reuters, Al Jazeera, Caixin, 10 July
BGI denies it shared genetic data of pregnant women with China’s military and vows to continue overseas push. The company says that it only provides prenatal testing technology in its scientific collaboration, in line with research protocols. SCMP, 12 July
Taiwan tech companies buy 10m Covid vaccine doses in deal that sidesteps China. The US$350m purchase from German manufacturer BioNTech is split between TSMC, the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturer, and Foxconn, one of the world’s largest contract electronics makers, and its charity foundation. The Guardian, FT, 12 July
Taliban outlaws Uyghur Muslim fighters in bid to befriend China. The Telegraph, 12 June
US vows to defend Philippines after Beijing ‘chases off’ warship. The Times, 13 June
The Chinese state-owned company causing controversy in Wigan. Manchester Evening News, 12 July
China focus
Beijing issues guideline on ideological, political work. A document issued by the CCP Central Committee and State Council stressed the importance of deepening ideological and political work, improving it at the grassroots level, and maintaining its correct political direction while encouraging innovation. Xinhua, 12 July
LGBTQ in China lament ‘dark day’ after social media crackdown. After student-run accounts erased, China’s marginalised LGBTQ community fears worse to come. Al Jazeera, 13 July
China rail trips recover to 77% of pre-pandemic level. Caixin, 12 July
Heavy rains trigger evacuations in Beijing and Sichuan. Sixth Tone, 12 July
Economy & tech
China drafts new cyber-security industry plan. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Monday it has issued a draft three-year action plan to develop the country's cyber-security industry, estimating the sector may be worth more than 250 billion yuan ($38.6 billion) by 2023. Reuters, 12 July
UK, European manufacturers want battery supply chain nearer home. British manufacturers and those in other parts of Europe want to move more of the supply chain for batteries used in electric cars and renewable energy away from China, a survey showed on Tuesday. Reuters, 13 July
ByteDance shelved IPO intentions after Chinese regulators warned about data security. The owner of TikTok video app took a different approach from ride-hailing company Didi, which pressed ahead with U.S. listing. WSJ, 12 July
Rivals rush to take advantage of security crackdown on China’s Didi. FT, 13 July
Deep in rural China, bitcoin miners are packing up. The Economist, 10 July
Longer reads & opinion
China and the chip factory — Boris Johnson’s hi-tech dilemma. A UK semiconductor firm’s buyout raises fears over Beijing’s reach. But can Britain hope to compete? Jamie Nimmo. The Times, 10 July
British business eyes Chinese prize in post-Brexit pivot. Britain seeks an even-handed approach, but the Communist nation's penchant for weaponising trade and human rights abuses are major issues. Russell Lynch. The Telegraph, 10 July
The Trumpian roots of the chip crisis. Paul Krugman. NYT, 8 July
The foreigners in China’s disinformation drive. BBC, 11 June
Doing business with China: grin and wave but don’t rock the boat. John Collingridge. The Times, 11 July
How China bought Cambridge. Ian Williams. The Spectator, 10 July
Why wealthy Asians are buying up U.K.’s tech startups. Ollie A Williams. Forbes, 12 July
Xi and Washington’s China hawks unite against Chinese tech IPOs in US. Tom Mitchell. FT, 9 July
Hong Kong migrants seek fresh start in UK after crackdown. NYT, 12 July
What to expect from China’s new anti-sanctions law. China Power - The Diplomat, 10 July
The EU’s unsustainable China strategy. Chatham House, 9 July
What is Angela Merkel’s legacy on engagement with China? American Institute for Contemporary German Studies, 2 July
U.S.-China competition can still produce climate wins. Steve Stashwick. Foreign Policy, 9 July
China’s 10-Year campaign to nourish rural school kids. Sixth Tone, 12 July