China News - 13 May 2021
International
US, UK, Germany clash with China at UN over Xinjiang. China had urged other UN member states not to attend a virtual hearing called by Britain, Germany and the US, which organisers said was attended by about 50 countries. Delegations used the event to call for immediate access to Xinjiang and an investigation by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet. Reuters, SCMP, 12 May
Uyghur imams targeted in China's Xinjiang crackdown. China has imprisoned or detained at least 630 imams and other Muslim religious figures since 2014, according to new research. BBC, 13 May
Hong Kong legislators pass 'patriotic' oath law. A new law that tightens patriotic loyalty tests for Hong Kong politicians will take effect later this month after being passed by the city's legislature on Wednesday, local media reported. More than 20 district councillors have resigned in recent months. Reuters, 13 May
China threatens campus free speech, says Jo Johnson, the prime minister’s brother. China poses a “genuine and real threat to freedom of speech” at British universities, a former minister has warned. Jo Johnson said Beijing was seeking to influence academic research that touches on its interests, leading academics to self-censor. The Times, 13 May
US-China: John Kerry warns against trusting China on climate. John Kerry told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday that China has “moved somewhat” after concerted climate talks, but that the Biden administration is not merely “relying on somebody’s word” to ensure China meets its climate pledges. Politico, 12 May
Scott Morrison denies his ‘one country two systems’ reference to Taiwan was an error. The Guardian, 13 May
China offers infrastructure in bid to shore up relations with Central Asian neighbours. Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on Wednesday in Xian, pledging to deepen cooperation on vaccines and infrastructure. SCMP, 13 May
UK in the Indo-Pacific
10th UK-China Joint Commission Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation takes place. Yesterday, the UK’s Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Amanda Solloway and Vice Minister Huang Wei “discussed ambitious joint research on pandemic preparedness and climate change as well as IP protection and data sharing”. Tweet, 13 May
China watch
Chinese county bans birthday parties for public servants. The measures appear targeted at potential corruption. The Guardian, BBC, 13 May
China to fully relax family planning rules to combat population growth slowdown. China may relax all birth restrictions for the first time in decades as early as this Autumn, state media said on Wednesday, The Telegraph, 13 May
Economy & tech
Pentagon delays report on Chinese companies with military ties. US president Joe Biden neared a decision on whether Americans could invest in such groups. FT, 13 May
China’s Central Bank seeks to calm inflation jitters. The central bank has sought to calm concerns that surging commodity costs will fuel increases in consumer prices. Caixin, 12 May
Singapore and London share the top spot for international arbitration. The Times, 13 May
Longer reads & opinion
Taiwan in the next decade: no war, but much tension. Charles Parton for Council on Geostrategy, 13 May
New Commons briefing - Integrated Review 2021: The defence tilt to the Indo-Pacific. Commons Library, 11 May