China News 13 May 2020
International
“US message to Britain in bilateral trade talks: it's us – or China.” The Guardian reports on US-UK trade talks and says “the US is seeking to insert a clause that would allow it to retreat from parts of the deal if Britain reaches a trade agreement with another country that the US did not approve. The proposed clause made no mention specifically of China, but is seen by British diplomats in Washington as intended to be a lever to deter closer UK-China relations.” The piece quotes former Chancellor George Osborne predicting Boris Johnson would not agree: “the member of the cabinet most in favour of engagement with China is the prime minister. He is perfectly prepared to resist some of the pressure from his backbenches.” A report by Larry Summers and Ed Balls warns even a mini deal “risks forcing the UK to align with the US in a trade dispute against China.” Guardian & Telegraph 12 May
“Signs of China Stalling Probe of Coronavirus Origins.” The Wall Street Journal reports the Chinese government is refusing to share samples of materials sampled from markets identified as a potential source of the virus. WSJ, 12 May
“China can ill-afford causing a Hong Kong failure.” Anson Chan, former chief secretary for administration in Hong Kong, writes in the FT, “there is an air of desperation about Beijing’s increasingly repressive tactics. They are counter-productive… They will also almost certainly prompt a wave of emigration and drive international business and media groups into safer jurisdictions, including Taiwan.” FT, 13 May. A Hong Kong civil rights group has said protesters were subject to sexual assaults and other abuses by police. RTHK, 13 May. The Guardian says the city is heading for a summer of protests. Guardian, 13 May
Chinese Coast Guard harasses Japanese fishing vessel - Japan launches protest. The Diplomat, 11 May. The Japan Times, 12 May
Bryan Adams apologises after 'bat eating' coronavirus rant. BBC & Guardian, 12 May
Jilin city imposes travel restrictions. All inhabitants of Wuhan to be tested after new outbreak. Reuters & SCMP, 12 May
“In Coronavirus War Of Words With The U.S., China Pulls No Punches”. NPR, 11 May & “China’s new army of tough-talking diplomats”BBC, 12 May
EU ambassador to Beijing under fire after saying not sure whether China or US bigger problem. SMCP, 13 May
China urges France to scrap Taiwan arms deal. AFP, 12 May
Economy/tech
Trump 'not interested' in reopening U.S.-China trade deal. His comments follow an article in the state-run Global Times suggesting renegotiating. Reuters, 12 May
State media says appointing Chinese chief won’t get US basketball back on Chinese TV, unless manager Daryl Morey punished for pro-democracy comments. Global Times, 12 May
White House Cuts Off Savings Fund’s Investment in China Stocks. The move affects $50 billion of investment by the federal government’s pension fund. Bloomberg, 12 May
Ted Cruz bill aims to limit US dependence on rare earths. Bloomberg, 12 May
Japan reviews its economic security following calls for less reliance on China. A lack of self-reliance the medical supply-chain has prompted Japanese policy makers to look at pulling manufacturing out of China. Nikkei Asian Review, 12 May
Former Chinese trade official warns country could be left out of global economic order. Long Yongtu, who led China’s negotiations to enter the World Trade Organisation, said the country could risk geopolitical isolation due to fallout from the pandemic. SCMP, 11 May
“China shares stagnant even after Beijing hints at ‘more powerful’ stimulus”. MarketWatch, 12 May
“Is China prepared to handle an unemployment crisis? SCMP, 12 May
China Can’t Be Trusted With Huawei Documents, U.S. Argues. The US Attorney General, prosecuting Huawei for trading with Iran, says 12,000 pages of documentation can’t be shared outside the US because China “has shown a willingness to take actions that appear designed to defend Huawei from allegations in this case,” Bloomberg, 12 May
Arkansas professor arrested, accused of hiding ties to Chinese government. The New York Times says the case is the “latest example of the Justice Department’s efforts to combat Chinese influence on American campuses.” Washington Examiner & New York Times, 12 May
Long Reads
“China Is Defensive. The U.S. Is Absent. Can the Rest of the World Fill the Void?” New York Times, 11 May
How China’s ‘United Front’ Endangers Ethnic Chinese Abroad. The Diplomat, 12 May
“America’s pressure on China over Tibet will come to nought.” The Economist reports on US-China criticisms over Tibet, on the anniversary of the kidnapping of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, a six-year-old boy seen as a potential religious leader. The Economist, 12 May
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